Present for 4yo girl - and party etiquette?!

[littleoldme3]

DS has arrived home with his first party invite from nursery. Little girl will be 4 & party is at her home. I’m assuming at this age (DS is 3) that it’s the norm for parents to stay with their kids? I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving him.

Any present ideas for a 4yo girl would be appreciated. I have no idea what is the norm to spend? DS says she “really loves Elsa but we should probably get her a garden rocket launcher” 🤔🤣 although I have a sneaky suspicion that may be more his wish list than hers 🤣

At 4 you would absolutely stay. I usually buy crafts for kids that age. I wouldn't spend more that £10.

Yes I would definitely expect to stay at that age.

I’ve typically spent £10 at that age. My daughter got everything from craft sets to clothes to books and board games for her 4th, all very well received. You could always message a parent for suggestions, I often do that and people are always happy to suggest a few things.

Deff stay.

I’ve been to a LOT of fourth birthdays in the last year, and the present that’s gone down best are plastic drinking glasses with curly straws round the edge.

The first was so successful I bought a job lot from Tesco (about £5 each) and they’ve all been a hit.

Parents stay - at the better parties you also get fed and watered.

In regards to presents buy what you think a 4 year old would like under £10.

My DD received a random assortment of things on her
4th birthday from socks, colouring set, cars, a jewellery making kit, hair accessories and a handmade soft toy.

We have given to both girls and boys: t-shirts, footballs - only really works if there is a tournament on or their family supports a team -, colouring sets, bubble makers, and Lego. (The Lego was brought in advance when it was cheap.)

Plastic? I thought we were going green?

If the DS likes Lego, lots of options under £10. Or go in with another parent and get a Spirograph junior. These are brilliant.

Definitely stay. Only one parent though!
Presents - I always used to give those orchard toys games or jigsaws in a favourite theme. But a stomp rocket sounds cool and I wouldn’t have minded getting that!

My 4 year old loves her garden rocket launcher 😂

Agree with up to £10 including card, gift wrap etc

Card factory is great for birthday cards. I buy the bundle of 10 for £1(?) that they have at the front of the shop

My dd was a massive sticker fiend at that age so I would buy a Usborne Sticker Dolly Dressing book or a nice colouring book and some pens /crayons. The glittery gel pens were popular.

DTs turned 4 earlier this year and we’ve been to lots of other 4th birthdays. Presents that went down best:
-themed pyjamas and swimming towel
-A3 blank colouring pads and pens
-lego
-magazines and crafty things
-cinema voucher and popcorn

We also have a rocket launcher which they love! Cheapy random toys were less popular, and we have far too many books and Orchard toys games so I tend to avoid giving those.

I don't think you can have too many books, but I always pick ones I know are good (popular with my child, not annoying for me to read). If they have an older sibling I get one that's been published this year so they won't already have it. However, I will say that the best presents at DS's birthday were the ones that were 'wrapped' by being put in a gift bag with a bit of tissue paper on top. That way the parent can quickly vet them before giving, and quietly suppress anything unsuitable like duplicates the child will be disappointed with. Bonus points for including a gift receipt.

DD just turned 4 and her favourite presents from her friends were

https://www.elc.co.uk/shop-by-age/3-4-years/Nick-Jr-Ready-Steady-Dough-Supreme-Ice-Cream-Playset/p/555016

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEGO-Mini-Doll-Characters-Elements-42632/dp/B0CFVYYCS7/ref=asc_df_B0CFVYYCS7/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14657779226188147727&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9044958&hvtargid=pla-2281435177578&psc=1&mcid=a3edb877cc813a41ab8f13e67359d659&hvocijid=14657779226188147727-B0CFVYYCS7-&hvexpln=74&gad_source=1

Sorry - no idea how to do neat links 🙈

I don't think there's any expectation to spend more than £10 though. Imo the Lego set was quite an extravagant present.

Craft kit, about £10.
Elsa tee shirt or any Elsa stuff that's wearable.

H&M normally do good frozen gifts. Hair clips, dresses, tops etc

Loads of great suggestions here. Defo stay!
My advice: go on the argos website and filter by age! They have some great deals so you can usually find something decent for good value (I always think play dough play sets go down well myself) x

Thank you all 😊 appreciate all the ideas! I was thinking along the lines of something crafty so I’ll see what I can find 😊

Glad that staying at that age is the norm but now I’m nervous for making chat with all the other parents 😅 I don’t know anyone and rarely see anyone else as I do drop off/pick up earlier than most due to work. Maybe this will be my chance to make a “mum friend” 🤞🏼 Feels like my first day at school 😅

Our daughter and son loved these and they aren’t messy so a win for the parents too www.bakerross.co.uk/mosaic-picture-kits-value-pack?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping-other-craft-kits&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD4FDOWQe-GfywMrI0n9UHi1acA23&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1euTtMnkhwMVkYBQBh2plQYLEAQYASABEgKaTvD_BwE

I have 2 DD’s and either would have loved the rocket launcher. I’d go with his idea 😁

My 4 year old dd got a rocket launcher from a friend for her birthday and absolutely loves it! The friend who gifted it, was gifted one himself and both kids have found so much joy in it!

Parties are a great chance to meet other parents. If you’re worried about making small talk, you could have a few opening questions up your sleeve. Eg What’s your DS/DD’s name? How old are they? How did they know birthday child? Etc.

You’ve had some great gift advice. I’d add, sellotape the card to the present so they know who it’s from. There may be lots of presents and they can be easily muddled if not labelled.

RSVP if you haven’t already. If your DC has any dietary requirements let them know and offer to take something for them (they’ll likely say no need). Make sure your DC says thank you when they leave and then after the party message the parent and say thanks for a great party and that your DC had a great time.

Bath bombs are always good. Kids love them and no plastic shite to try and find a home for.

@ClockHolly Thank you 😊 I have sent the RSVP already and I’ll definitely remember to tape the card to the gift 😊
I believe the majority of the kids going are from the nursery class. It’s a school nursery and the children will start primary school together so it’s a nice way to meet some of the other parents 😊

@llamajohn 😂 I think that one would definitely be up for debate. I hate bath bombs 😂 Also, in our last house we had no bath lol. DS also had very sensitive skin so I’m conscious that some kids may not be able to use things like that 😊

The Works are good for birthday presents, lots of crafts, books and games at very reasonable prices. Often have offers so you can stock up.

Or Argos often do 2 for £15 deals too.

Best present my son ever got was £10 voucher for an ice cream parlour. I remember being eternally grateful because my house was running out of storage space for hot wheels stuff