How do you reply when parents ask for birthday gift ideas?

[Aabbaas]

DD is turning 6 in a few weeks and she is having her first party ever, with some of her reception friends.
As it’s the first party we ever do, I am new to the “what would your DD like/what is she into” messages from parents I barely even know.
I assume if they are asking it’s because they mean itand genuinely would like a steer? I feel a bit bad saying “she likes x,y,z”.

How do people normally reply to these requests?

They wouldn’t be asking if they didn’t want to know. Give them a few general ideas not specific ones so you’re not giving them expensive stuff etc. So maybe ‘she loves arts and crafts, puzzles and Disney princesses’ or ‘she loves dolls, trains and books’

I tended to be quite general. Although now DS2 is older when I was asked if there was a book he’d like I gave a precise suggestion. I also always check if the request is directly from the child after one 7 year old friend requested a ‘rosette like a horse wins’. Her mother had a more sensible suggestion (and I bought a birthday rosette from the pound shop!).

I’d say arts and crafts, there’s something there for all budgets and if your dc doesn’t like them they can be regifted.
It’s not that deep, if they’re asking for ideas just answer with something quite broad.

I would reply with general themes, like frozen, Barbie, books about fossils.or whatever. Like PP said they wouldn't ask if they didn't want to know so why do you feel bad? It isn't rude to have a preference and you aren't telling people unsolicited.
As long as you don't send links to something very specific which is also really expensive you'll be fine

I only ask because I want to know, and when people ask me I try and give them something that’ll save them too much effort or thinking - craft stuff, hair accessories, books by a particular author etc.

I usually give themes like a fave character or activity (art, play doh etc) and also add that she's saving for a (insert large items here) so would also love a coin or 2 towards her goal if that's easier for you

I’d much rather buy a gift someone likes - definately.

When dd2 was 5 the mother of one of her friends (a boy) bought every female child who had a party that year the same gift. It was a little unicorn nightlight from The Works. They are nearly 14 now and the girls I know and my dd still have the little unicorn. I thought that mum was genius!

I reply with interests but I give people who ask something different. Eg: if my child was into cars, thomas the tank and volcanoes. I would tell some cars, some Thomas and some volcanoes. I do this to ensure we (hopefully) get a variety of gifts - one of our friends told all of the families the same TV series and their child ended up with 20+ very similar gifts.... one of our other friends said "Lego" and quite literally got 6 identical sets of a Lego that had been on offer in the supermarkets... so you have to be specific but also general!

As a party attendee, I like being given a guide so that I can hopefully buy something that will be used/wanted. I also often ask if there is something they DONT want as a present so I can avoid that too. If I dont get any steer then it is likely to be a book.

You must know what your own DC would like. I'm boring I never ask and always give a £20 gift voucher.

I ask my child and then reply saying ‘x says he/she would like…, thank you’. Mine are good at suggesting reasonably priced ideas.

Everyone always brings something, even the families who don’t have much budget, so I would reply so money isn’t wasted on something he wouldn’t like.
If I know a specific family doesn’t have a lot, I usually suggest bath stuff if they ask. You can generally get something that looks reasonably generous for around £2 in home bargains and my kids love it so it’s always well appreciated!

Thanks all! I will give a generic answer then: "DD likes ballerinas, dogs and story books" type :)

I'd name the latest more or less steady interest because favourite games and characters tend to change quickly at that age but if it's something that's been there for a while, chances are, the gift related to that would be on point.

Oh I agree it’s awful, I feel so cheeky I used to say ‘nothing just bring yourselves’ or ‘anything to do with Mario ’ if they really push Now my children are older people don’t really ask and just send money.

It’s easy with some kids, one of mine is a teddy fiend, another was into colouring, but one of my sons we could barely figure out so that was hard so we just said oh he’ll love anything age appropriate!!