Need birthday present help from mums of multiples!!!

[QueenOfQuotes]

DS1 was today invited to a birthday party for triplets who are in the same year as him at school. 2 girls and a boy, who'll be 5 at the weekend.

None of my friends, now, or in the past, have had twins, never mind triplets, and I'm not sure what to do about presents.

Should I buy each one a small present (I don't know them very well as they only started school last week) or would a 'joint' present be acceptable.

And if the latter, what sort of thing should I buy . I'm on a tight budget so can't afford a lot, but I've got no idea what I should buy for (effectively) a 'group' of 5 year olds, (boy, and 2 girls) as I've only ever had to think about presents for 'single' children.

thanks

How about going to a pons shop or something like that.

Cheap and cheerful- a wee colouring book and pens and a bag of lollies

sorry it should have read pound shop

A pound shop might be a good idea, I know it must be annoying for a twin/ triplet to share a present I just thought that any mother would not like to to think that a guest had felt pressured into buying presents at the expense of their own child's birthday.

You can cheaply pick up photo albums for between £1 and 2 at Asda and Tesco which I have given with a disposable camera- you can often get them on special offer . Each chid could take their own pictures. Or packet of fun cake mix or similar each? The supermarkets have some really cheap stationary things as they can buy in bulk. If it was summer I often get a plastic tub and packets of seeds but don't think the weather is with you. Do send your child the pressie is irrelevant. Hope you ds has a whale of a time- I would much rather be at your party

Well had a good start today - was in church for the toddler group and found three birthday cards (handmade by the church craft group) that were half price - so 3 gorgeous cards cost me £1.20 (cheaper than if I'd gone to "Cardfare" as they start at 49p each)

Now I just need to sort out presents. No Asda, Tesco undergoing a 'revamp' at the moment so limited stock (and too far to walk anyhow), only one 99p shop - and I was looking round there on Wednesday morning for stocking fillers and while it's got loads of decent stuff, all the kids stuff was cheap plastic rubbish

I'm left with a small wilkinsons, small woolies and morrisons.

but still - I made a 'big' step today - I found out the girls names LOL.

Hi,
I know all about this subject! Fot 7 years they have recd many single presents to share, I think it just seems too expensive for other mums to have to buy three things, I dont mind that but what I really hate is them getting one card between them. We all know that you can pick up cheap cards in the pound shops, a card is such a personal thing I think. At most parties the kids don`t get to open the presents there, they usually get stacked on a table, so what I do is sort them out, and if there are any shared ones I share them out between them, if that makes sense! If there is an odd number I put the excess away for a rainy day! We have been looking for Christmas ideas today for them and lots of places were doing 3 for 2, so there is no excuse really!

I know there's lost of 3 for 2 offers, but when those items start at about £5+ it still expensive

(btw - was it you looking for the Tiptoes book?) Mine did't sell on ebay - your's for £1 including P&P)

Oh Queenofquotes thank you, I would love the book, I will treasure it forever, will contact you! Back to pressies, I have often bought multiple packs of things and split them, my three can never have enough stuff like their own sellotape, blu tack etc, so if they get things like that they are delighted! One friend bought them scissors each, they are forever losing them!

Prisoner, I have not shared my mum's womb with my sisters so never felt the need of being different to them, though we are so different that most people gets very surprised when we say we are sisters . My mum didn't have the money to organise 3 parties (but then, children's parties in my country normally include and cater for at least 20-30 children and their parents, though I have to say that in DS's first birthday my mother organised one for him where there were 90 children and 60 adults, but then, we have lots of friends and we are a very big family where most of my cousins are certainly close friends, I wouldn't dream of not inviting them all or just selecting some of their children, they wouldn't do that either, though as I have said, catering for such big parties can be quite expensive: with the children's hall rental, face painter, food, drinks, waiters, a huge cake and the unavoidable pinata we ended up spending around 2000 dlls which I don't regret at all as I have not seen them all together since I moved away 9 yrs ago .

My comment was based in the fact that some families some times struggle with money, how would you feel about people missing your children's parties because they can't afford to buy several gifts in such short space of time? Obviously, everybody wants to be respected as an individual but I thought the main thing about parties was to spend some time with the little friends, TBH I think it is not fair on invitee's families to have to spend more money than what they can afford, obviously if they can, fine but I wouldn't think bad about somebody who shows up with a single present or a single card, on the contrary I would be happy if they managed to come.

Chandra - when my 3 children were little (a rather long time ago!), we didn't have much money and neither did many of my friends (we were all SAHM with poorly paid husbands!)The parties we had were all home-based, home-made party food, traditional games, just lots of fun! We didn't compete to have the "best" or "most extravagant" party (which often seems to happen nowadays - just showing my age now!)

We didn't give out party bags, we didn't have prizes for the games, we didn't pay money for entertainment. We often didn't give birthday cards, and presents were certainly not expensive, they were something small and inexpensive for the birthday child to have something to unwrap.

However, my extremely identical twin daughters were upset that some people referred to them as "twins", and seemed to think that they could treat them as "one person" - and this included sharing a birthday card or present. I would rather that they had no present than have to share and, as teenagers now, they still agree (I just asked them!)

I would hate to think that someone wouldn't have come to a party because they felt they couldn't afford a present, but I'm afraid I still stick to my guns and say that it's not fair to make twins/triplets share a present. (My db was fed-up as a child as his birthday was near Christmas, and he would get one "slightly more expensive" present to cover both celebrations!)

BTW, your family parties sound amazing!!

"but I'm afraid I still stick to my guns and say that it's not fair to make twins/triplets share a present."

I'm not going to buy one present for them to share, but in my defence I was thinking something along the lines of a multiplayer game which they could all play together with, as opposed to a 'single' person toy for them to share

Triplets - if you haven't already send me a CAT and I'll email you my details. I've got (literally) hundreds of children's books at home (including about 100 ladybird books) so the chances of them all getting read is very slim (especially as even I was an avid reader when younger - but never read them all LOL). I'll be pleased to see it go to a good home

being a twin I hated getting joint presents and cards. A book for each of them on 3for2 in WHS would be ideal and you can adjust the choice to suit their personalities. Im sure it can work out expensive but better not to buy than to piss them off - identity with twins is a BIG thing

"Im sure it can work out expensive but better not to buy than to piss them off"

I know that - but it's very hard when you've already had to take £20 from 'no-where' - just to give your own child a birthday party at home

i know - what about a trip to the pound shop? girls especially are easy to buy for a pound or two

is your kid friends with all three?

i wouldnt expect my daughters friends to also buy my son a present.

if this makes you feel uncomfortable - get them a £5 gift voucher and let them pick their own.

my kids were happy with shared until it came to putting away the mess then suddenly its everyone elses and causes an argument.

QoQ - can you CAT me or are you on MSN?

custardo - he only started in reception 1 week ago, so those that I invited were just the very few names he managed to remember that he'd played with. They're only there 2hrs a day atm, so he's not really had chance to make friends with anyone properly yet .

jampots - I'm on MSN - [email protected]

so what have you decided qoq? Have you found anything for the triplets?

Little toyshops and places like Tesco and Asda do pocket money toys. Purses, balls, those pick up sticks, card games etc...

hth I was so sure that you would've shopped this afternoon and found something. Hey another thought.... do you have the Boots card which gives you points each time you buy? Cos you could redeem some of those points against a present or 3.

Hiya Mars,

He's going. I bought three lovely handmade cards from the craft group stall at church this afternoon - they were old stock so it only cost £1.20 for 3 completely individual and unique cards.

I was going to go to town this afternoon - but it p*ssed with rain and (even with no money ATM) you wouldn't have been able to pay me to go out in that weather - especially not with the kids in tow

I'm going to go to town tomorrow (I have to go tomorrow to make sure I've got everything for DS's party - and to buy his present from us as it's his birthday today!) So I'll see what I can sort out then.

Haven't read whole thread and may be too late but may I suggest socks, QoQ?

IMHO new socks always a treat (man and boy) (or woman and girl, anyway the DDs and I still love them!) and you can get different designs for each child - although the DSs do prefer boring sports socks.

I know what you mean about the rain. Hideous wasn't it?

I bought some playing cards with those old fashioned games Donkey, Old Maid etc for about £1.25 each and have put them in my present box. I just thought of them and hoped that they might be a good idea for you. Good to hear about the cards. Have to confess I'm too tight for cards so I get the kids to make them. Many a sticky, glitter filled mess has wished their friends a happy birthday

oh I don't do messy 'play' in this house - DS1 often likes to get his pens and pencils out and do colouring - but I'm on of those parents who leave the really messy stuff to school/nursery

Me either, that's why the kids make such a mess. I walk away from all art attempts and yet they just keep happening lol

I don't even have the stuff in the house for them to get messy

Anyhow, I must sleep - have to be out at 8.40 and it's DS1's birthday tomorrow (well today actually) and we still haven't bought his present - have to pop into town in the morning and get it.