Kids parties - clueless

[Gemzee]

Hi,

My son has had his first party invite (found in his bag after nursery). I have rsvp via text as requested on invite (no response yet but have never met the child or parents so assume thats normal) to say he can come and am excited for him to attend his first party. However, he is my only child (age 3) and I have no idea how these things work. It is only an hour at someones house, I know we take a gift for the birthday child but wasn't sure if me & my husband could both attend with my son or if thats too much! (I don't drive so it would have to be my husband attending if only one parent allowed).
I've never been to a kids party (as an adult) and not sure what to expect - obviously at 3 you don't leave them there alone - what kind of age do you leave them (5?).
What sort of present do you get them? My husband whats to get a remote control car, I think you can find them for about £10-£15 - is this about right?

Sorry if I sound stupid, just a bit clueless.

First of all what kind of party is it?

At 3 a parent would be expected to stay. Remote control car sounds a great present idea.

Generally one parent stays (especially if it’s at someone’s home and there’s not much space). They tend to stay on their own from around reception / year one. I never spend more than £10 on a gift, but a remote control car sound lovely. Enjoy! Mine are too old for that kind of party now and I do miss them.

If its at someone's house and in covid times then I would say just 1 parent unless you are actually friends of the parents. Yes definitely stay. I stopped staying when DS's were abiut 5/6ish but it depends very much on your child and also how you feel about the hosts/venue etc so play that one by ear. At that age we spent about £5/£7 on a gift. You need to spend more to get something they will like. As they get older and from about 8/9 onwards we put £10 in a card. But just do what you can afford/want to do Honestlt never bothered me what people got my kids, the fact that they rsvp'd then actually showed up was all I wanted.

Sorry that's supposed to read you will need to spend more to get something they will like as they get older.

One parent, always stay at that age, the gift is a bit OTT for a nursery “friend”- usually a book, colouring or tshirt (no more than £10)

I'm not expert on this but I'd think 1 parent to go and stay for the party - probably hiding in the kitchen with the other parents.

Present wise, £5-£10 - I usually get our similar age friends a book or small toy, bubbles, little craft things that sort of thing, I spend a bit more on close friends but they usually get loads at parties. I wouldn't buy a remote controlled car for a child you don't know you.