Presents for birthday parties

[SproutPenguin]

I’m in new territory here, my 4 year old DS has started pre school and has been invited to FIVE parties over the next month or two.

A couple are birthday parties. The children will be turning 4. They are boys, if that helps.

I can’t do big budget on gifts, I darent ask what is an acceptable spend but I’m hoping to keep well below a tenner. (Sorry if I sound mean but that’s where I am at the moment financially).

What on Earth can I get that isn’t just tat? The families of the kids have nice houses and cars and I’m worried anything I give will be considered tacky and cheap.

And if the party isn’t a birthday party, but for firework night or Halloween, do I have to give the child a present? And if so, what am I looking at in terms of budget and type of gift?

Any hints appreciated :)

I'd say birthday parties you need a gift - can you see whats on sale in toy shops/supermarkets that might be suitable? Or a nice outfit? Not everyone can spend a fortune on a gift and that's ok. Shouldn't need to. Especially if it's a 'new' friend.

Halloween and other parties I wouldn't think you'd need a gift. Maybe just some sweets or something to take along?

There is plenty you can pick up for £10.
Does your DC know what the children are into? Otherwise ask the parents and then go from there.
If the firework and halloween parties aren't related to a birthday and just a party to get kids together I wouldn't expect to take a gift, no harm in taking maybe some cupcakes etc or something?

For fireworks/halloween, I'd send them with some food rather than a present. Or maybe some temporary tattoos like these www.amazon.co.uk/Henbrandt-Halloween-Vampire-Pumpkin-Transfers/dp/B00FOMNO6Q/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&rnid=389075011&s=kids&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1634735391&refinements=p_n_age_range%3A391969011%2Cp_36%3A146171031&sr=1-5

A fiver in a card?
Uno?
Nice crayons/felt tips and a pad?
Amazon have some Orchard games for £7.

Somewhere like Wilko or The Works is probably your friend. And if you know the parents well enough, just quietly say you're a bit skint at the moment. Any decent human should be grateful for whatever they are given.

no presents needed for non-birthday parties - maybe take a pack of glo sticks to a halloween party?

for birthdays, pretty much every kid I know would love a box of chocolates like malteasers or matchmakers, and a pack of felt tips. Great present even in the high school years.

Smallest lego sets are a fiver and always popular.

I think Tesco and Aldi both have toy events on at the minute so might be worth a look for birthday gifts such as little Lego sets, crayons and colouring books, sticker books, etc.

Failing that, books are always a good idea and you can usually get packs of books in places like The Works or TKMaxx which you can split between all the parties and could lower the cost per gift.

Disclaimer: my little girl isn't old enough to attend birthday parties yet but when I have attended my nephews/nieces parties in the past these have been typical gifts from party goers - usually they'd receive a gift in the region of £5-£10 from their peers.

Thank you everyone 💐
That really helps x

Colouring book plus a pack of pens in the works should be about £5

I think it's quite challenging to get stuff for £10 and below and not look to cheap. Takes a lot of effort especially if you get told what they are into and want to fit the theme.

Follow the Christmas bargains thread on the Christmas topic here on MN, not everything is christmassy and there are some real bargains
I got a lego ice cream truck reduced from £18 to £8 which would look really good as a kids birthday present.
Also found on that thread, sports direct have a playdoh set reduced from £15 to £4.50 "playdoh letters and numbers" - you could get them all that, nice generic 4 year old gift.

Failing that, I would go for a small set of something branded if you don't want it to look tacky or get thrown out. Small lego or playmobil sets, for example, might only be £5 to £7 but might "look" better than a £5 item from the works - if you're worried about that sort of thing.

Lots of supermarkets have toy events on at the moment or coming up soon, I think tesco do at the moment. If I see a good bargain I usually buy a couple and put them away for birthday parties.

And no I wouldn't take a gift for a Halloween, Christmas or other party, just birthdays

Lego Iron Man set £7.50 www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WC19M5D/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_6EW02YVVPBKWANZMQKJK?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

UNO "flip" is only £3.95 or standard UNO £5 - could be paired with some chocolate or something www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07JKB2H59/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_6W37ZYHDDXNG9XPS4493?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I usually buy a kids magazine (blippi, cebeebies, peppa etc) and one of those kids cupcake baking/decorating kits - you know; the character branded ones where you make a fairy cake and it has character sugar paper decorations to stick on with icing, you can easily grab them with the magazine from supermarkets.
Then they have something to read, whatever crap novelty toy is included with the magazine to play with, a nice baking activity and cake to eat at the end of it!
Total cost about £7 and have always gone down well.

Failing that check out the argos 2 for £15 section - Includes great things like craft sets, barbies, kinetic sand, sticker makers etc and you can get gifts for 2 parties/children for £7.50 each xx

I only get gifts for birthday parties. If non birthday events I take something edible, but check with the host. I always ask what the kids are into or like if I don’t know and go from there. I find small Lego sets are good or a small mini box of standard Lego. I have taken some little stationary kits as gifts (pencil case, pen, ruler etc), The Range is good for these. A £5 gift voucher for a toy shop near by, PEZ dispenser in favourite character with sweets? I have 3 kids with a lot of party invites in the coming weeks and try and keep to a small budget. I know a mum hosting her first party next week (very well off, huge house, cars etc) and having cold sweats at all the stuff that will be being gifted to her child, as she doesn’t do stuff and keeps a very minimalist house, she’s hoping for 23 books not Lego sets .

£10 is plenty to spend. A Lego toy, nerf gun or similar. I got to picking up several in advance so no last minute panic.