TL:DR what small gifts are acceptable to 3 year olds?!
I know a mum with a 3 year old quite well, I have a 3 year old DD too. I've met a few times three of her friends with 3 year olds (birthday parties and the like). We've all been invited to my friend's for a Christmas party and she let me know there will be a gift exchange.
That's fine, I can get four small gifts for my DD to give, but (and I'm probably overthinking it) are some gifts definite no-nos?!
Eg my dd loves craft things, puzzles and board games, so i would be drawn to those. However am I;
(a) buying craft bits putting the onus on parents to do them/creating mess in their house
(b) buying puzzles/games putting onus on parents to participate
Other options - chocolate is generally avoided at these ages ime, plastic tat isn't a great gift and some parents are anti it. Personally I don't want playdo or kinetic sand in my house, so I understand we all have differences!
So what is "acceptable"? To avoid becoming a mum-pariah!