First toddler party

[Witcher2020]

Name changed as I am embarrassed to ask but what is the etiquette with gifts for toddler parties? My 2 year old has been invited to their first party and I don't know the child or parents so any gift ideas would be great! I am probably over thinking this but I didn't attend many parties or have many friends as a child (or adult) so I want to start off on the right foot for my little one

Just a little book or something like that. No need to go overboard.

My DS had his first party (3 years) recently. Most just brought a small Orchard game or similar. But one mum did text me and ask what DS would like, which was thoughtful.

Any 2yo party we've gone to I've got playdoh haha. Figured they always dry out so if they've already got it ..doesn't hurt to have more!

Am intrigued as to the process of being invited to a party where you don't know the child nor the parents when they are presumably also 2 (or similar) and not 16

@Kite22 nursery friend I assume. I never knew any of the parents as everyone picks up at different times.

OP I would buy your kids’ fave book or small game/toy, or something consumable like pens or play doh :)

Thank you for the suggestions

@Kite22 at drop off / pick up we ring the door bell and the staff collect the child so we never enter the room. I may have seen them depending what time they do the pick up/drop off but can't be certain. I can't rely on my son to point them out as he is currently obsessed with telling me all the children are at home

I wouldn't expect parents of other dc at a Nursery to know each other (unless they did prior to that of course), but the thing that is different from my experience is that they would then invite people to a birthday party.
When mine were little, you started inviting school friends, when they had stated school (so, for their 5th birthdays - when they had started making friends) rather than at 2, when developmentally dc just play alongside whoever they happen to be near. Any birthday celebration before that would really be for the family.

@Kite22 I did think around 5 would be a more suitable age for parties so I am glad to hear you say that was the norm!

@Kite22

Am intrigued as to the process of being invited to a party where you don't know the child nor the parents when they are presumably also 2 (or similar) and not 16

My son has been at nursery since Sep 2020. We wear masks at drop off and collection, have to stand 2m apart. We're not allowed in at all. Plus, I drop DS for breakfast at 8am to get to work so I don't see other parents much. I asked nursery for a list of six or so names of children he plays with to invite to his party; I vaguely knew 2 of them but not the others.

It's not really that much of a stretch to understand how you might not have met your child's nursery friends or their parents in the past year or so, is it?

No, it isn't the concept of not having met them that is strange. I think that was normal pre-pandemic too, although this last 21 months have been very different for drop offs, etc.
It is the concept of throwing a party for a 2 yr old and inviting people you don't know to it, that I find strange. However, if it is "a thing" then so be it. I love being on MN to hear how different all our lives are. I am just saying that I find it strange to invite people you don't know to a party.

Don’t ask for suggestions as that puts pressure on them. As pp suggested a book, or any small toy is fine.

There is nothing odd, pandemic or not, about not knowing the parents of children your child is at nursery with.

There is nothing odd, pandemic or not, about not knowing the parents of children your child is at nursery with.

Agreed. Very normal.
Nobody is saying there is anything odd about that.

Maybe text the mum and ask for present ideas- I always do

I don't think my kids went to parties (and both were at daycare at 1) til about three or four (they did to friends kids though). I never met any of the other parents and this was some years ago.
Presents have max value if £10, just get any age appropriate gift (you will soon have a drawer full of gifts for just these things). At that young age parents are probably to stay (check). When older it's drop and run!

@Kite22

No, it isn't the concept of not having met them that is strange. I think that was normal pre-pandemic too, although this last 21 months have been very different for drop offs, etc. It is the concept of throwing a party for a 2 yr old and inviting people you don't know to it, that I find strange. However, if it is "a thing" then so be it. I love being on MN to hear how different all our lives are. I am just saying that I find it strange to invite people you don't know to a party.

But my son knows their child. I wanted him to have fun with people he sees 3 days a week and knows and can name. The fact I didn't know their adults just means I met some new faces. But he had a good time and that's what matters.