Budget ideas for daughters birthday presents?

[swiggless]

Hi all,

Before I start, I'd like to say that I know a lot of people have less money than this for their DC's birthday's, it's just that we've normally spent quite a lot and I feel bad that we can't do anything due to lockdown. This isn't intending to offend anyone.

I've recently found out that I may lose my job due to COVID. It's my daughter's birthday soon, money has been tight for a few reasons and I'm a bit worried about buying her presents. She does have the standard things such as a baby doll, kitchen, bike, scooter, tent, tablet and vanity table so I guess she doesn't need anything 'big' but she's so excited for her birthday. She is expecting a lot I think; that's totally our fault as we have always gone a bit OTT at Christmas and birthdays before for various reasons. She won't be having a party as we're in lockdown (except with us) so I feel even worse. I have a budget of £60 for presents (not including a cake, few sweets etc). Could spend another £10 max. She's mentioned LOL dolls and Barbie but not a lot. She doesn't have either (have got other types of dolls) but I don't know if LOL dolls are worth the hype? Any suggestions would be really great. She'll be turning 5.

Also it'll have to be done online as we don't have any shops nearby that sell toys.

How old is she?

Sorry, will be 5

Didn’t know what Lol Dolls were but having googled, you could be setting yourself up for collecting them forever!
Maybe have a look around for second hand stuff that’s in good condition?
£60 is still a great budget for a five year old and if you make the cake yourself that will save plenty.

If she’s 5 and expecting a lot, you could get her lots of little presents? Especially as she hasn’t asked for anything big. She’ll have lots to unwrap then, and won’t know the value anyway. I used to get given a goodie box, which was a big box of wrapped pocket money type things, sweets, a couple of books etc. and it was so exciting having so many things to open but each one just have been £5 max each.

I think at 5 they’d be happy with volume over substance. So maybe buy one or two decent things and then some bulk stuff.
Look out on Facebook marketplace for second hand things - lol dolls, fancy dress.
Craft items were always a hit when mine was 5. And you can get lots of things quite cheaply from supermarkets / discount stores.
Make the cake yourself, lots of balloons and maybe a banner. We’ve had a lot of people round here giving away party balloons on Facebook after they’ve used them.
A sweet box for a movie night is always good. Usually we just find a film on prime.

Hobbycraft do loads of very cheap craft kits that she might like:

www.hobbycraft.co.uk/suncatcher-unicorn-kit/637248-1000

I would get a couple of lovely books that would appeal to her (excellent condition second hand ones from Amazon marketplace or ebay), definitely a craft kit, fuzzy felt, new clothes for one of her existing dolls, would she like a jigsaw and or a few little farm animals? It's a great budget. You could set the table after she has gone to bed the night before with her presents and a birthday balloon tied to her chair so it looks special for when she sees it in the morning. I hope she has a lovely birthday x

Lol dolls are not worth it!
My DD had 2...never touched them after unwrapping them, they’re now in the bin.

A five year old will be delighted with second hand toys. I would post a few 'wanted' ads and ask around people with older DC. Lots of other families are in the same situation because of Covid, so looking to make ££ and will be keen to sell.
We recently got a load of Sylvanian family stuff that way, for example, getting four times more for our money as we would have if we had bought it new.
On the same vein, can you sell any of her toddler toys on?
Happy birthday little swiggless!

A large box full of blown up balloons is always fun

With the entertainer look at the steffi dolls, just like barbie buy fraction of the price. I got my dd one barbie and lots of steffi dolls and she was chuffed for her birthday

I would go for things that go with toys she already has and plays with. You said she has a baby doll. You can get clothes and accessories a sensible prices in places like Argos and The Entertainer (you can buy online from them).
£60 is a good amount.
Does she like books? This is a nice age to go from the boring school reading scheme books to 'proper' books. She doesn't necessarily need to be able to read them herself - you can read. Good ones to read aloud at that age are the 'Daisy and the Trouble With' series by Kes Grey, Secret Seven by Enid Bylton. Maybe a set of abridged classics like an Usborne set.
Have a look on The Works website. They have loads of book box sets - and loads of crafts if you wanted to get some of those.

Toys for a pound website is great. I've already made a start on Christmas Shopping for DD.

Lol dolls are expensive but they do loads of other branded merchandise that can be reasonable. For Christmas we bought for our girls loads of bits from B&M, Home and Bargains, they have lots of little trinkets and bits, really helps to make your pennies stretch further. I think a huge thing with Lol is that you get surprises and it’s all in lovely packaging, the unwrapping is all part of the experience. From Home and Bargain we got a Lol fashion accessories tub, it had a watch, bracelet, charm and ring etc, got one each for our girls and nieces, they all went wild for them (unwrapping the surprises) and think they were about £7.99 ish, picked up a stationary set for £1.99 and a bracelet making set for about £8. We got a barbie car with doll half price from Tesco before Christmas for £15.

If I were you, would probably get her a doll as the main present, they’re about £33 and then get lots of little fillers.

Just searched for Lol on B&M and they have lots of bits on there, a little stationary set for £6, jumbo sticker pack for 50p and lots of other ‘surprise’ packages. You’ll get some lovely presents for £60, Have a mooch around online and whatever you get will make your little ones day.

LOL stuff is expensive (£30 for a big doll new) but check out eBay for 2nd hand bundles. And as other people have said, second hand stuff is good (my 5 year old doesn’t care at all) and means you can get volume cheap :)

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for your replies! I ended up deciding on:

LOL surprise jewellery box
LOL small ball
LOL cutlery set
LOL water magic book
LOL soft toy dog
LOL sequin head toy thing

^above was £13 from PoundToy with a discount so thank you for that recommendation!

Her main gift will be a Cry Baby as that's what she wants the most so that's £25. I also have a book set for her for £5, an LOL furniture box with a doll that was £13 and a small makeup set for £5. My fb marketplace seems to be very lacking in the toy department, however I did get an LOL boy doll for £2 so I thought that was good. That brings it in to £63 so I'm really happy with that, however, I do have a Very account where you can pay things off weekly/fortnightly/monthly etc and I am debating on buying the LOL Clubhouse from that. I can afford it, I'm just trying to be sensible as I normally go all out, so I'm going to think about it. Thank you all for your advice

Swiggles that’s awesome, she’ll have an amazing bday. If I were you I’d save buying the Clubhouse for Christmas, keep an eye on it to see if you get a discount code or it goes on offer. Aww Glad you got sorted, Happy Birthday to your little one :)