Birthday Parties and presents

[Akayjay]

Hi, im needing help on the birthday party etiquette, mainly what’s expected/appropriate to give as a present, as well as what am I expected to do while he plays? I’m quite new to this as my sons still only 4 and has only really attended family and close friends parties, where we knew everyone and I knew exactly what to buy. He’s been invited to a few 5th birthday parties already, mainly from nursery, and some neighbours of family members. I would never judge someone’s gift but not sure how others work, as these are people I don’t really know. I’m scared of giving too much or not giving enough, etc. Also do parents normally introduce each other sit together or do most like to stay seperate? Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Im in q friendship group of three. They both have children aged 4 (mine is only 14m) and they were discussing this!
They seemed to settle on getting 2 for £15 in argos and having a stash of toys for parties as once they start they don't stop haha

Personally, I spend about £10 to £12 on birthday presents for young children's parties, perhaps a little more if it were a best friend. But at that age, it's often whole class parties. They'll get so many presents, it's unlikely the parents will remember who brought what, to be honest!

I usually stay for the duration of the parties when they are still so young. For my older child (a sensible 8 year old) I'm happy to leave her to it. I just introduce myself to anyone I don't know and get chatting to the other parents. It's nice and sociable, but equally some parents seem to prefer to keep themselves to themselves, and that's fine too! It probably depends what mood people are in.

We’ve had loads of parties since starting reception!

Presents: I spend around £7-8, typically those little boxes of Lego that are about £7! Or often you can get some real bargains in Aldi that cost less. I got a cool book filled with jigsaws for £3.50 for DD for Christmas and stocked up on several for parties! If it’s a close friend, I’ll spend a bit more.

Etiquette: I’ve always stayed at parties. Parents do various things. A few stay kinda separate, the rest gravitate towards those they know from the playground. I’ve tended to sit with my DDs best friends mum as we’ve talked a fair bit but at a party today, she wasn’t there so I plucked up the courage to go sit with a gang of mums who know each other from nursery and that was very nice! I was pleased I pushed my shyness to one side 🙈😂 you’ll find some people bringing husbands/partners/siblings in my experience but we do have a WhatsApp group where people pop up & say siblings are welcome!

Thank you for replies, comments seem to be similar to what I was thinking, glad I'm not missing any new party rules lol I love idea of stocking up, we were invited last minute to party at weekend and ended up with one of the little Lego sets (only thing our local co op had). It was someone I knees child but they were busy so I sat alone, so did few others but the awkward glances over. Our next one is at a home, but full nursery invited and parents welcome so will defo try being a little more forward, hopefully ease of for future parties x