Decent birthday presents for a gazillion classmates' parties. Not spending billions. Please, how?

[Pendulum]

Party season is fast approaching- based on last year I reckon DD will have 15-20 invites before summer is out.

As she gets older (they will all be 7) it gets harder to buy something decent without spending a fortune. With card and (cheapo) wrap, I find myself spending £8-9 a pop.

Does anyone have any tips or websites for doing this in a more intelligent way? There must be multi-uy offers out there, for example. I really don't mind if everyone gets the same thing (they won't notice) and I'm happy to spend around £5 on a gift. (Have sorted the cards out by bulk buying).

Personally I swear by the book people
you can buy some fantastic multi packs of kids books and then split them. I have a present box in my cupboard full of books and am never caught short!!

We've been getting things for baking: fancy cupcake cases (under £1), some icing pens (£2) and fancy sprinkles (less than £1). Wrapped with nice curling ribbon round... Cards 10 for a pound from tesco.

Try to keep below fiver but feel it may be different than other stuff they get and nice

Please let me know where you buy icing pens from

I agree with BoattoBolivia - I tend to buy multi packs from book people or red house and split them. I recently bought the massive 42 book collection of fairy books and split them up for 6 parties and that way they only cost me about £3.50 - £4.00 per present. I then buy cards at the card factory or similar 7 for £1.00 and pretty much the cheapest wrapping paper I can find. M&S do spotty or striped for about £1 a roll. All in I think I spend less than £5 per child. I also buy presents randomly for children when I see them on sale ie. Lego games half price etc. A certain amount of recycling as well from gifts ds is given. I think the key is not to buy presents one at a time for individuals but rather to buy non specific gifts - I tend to spend a bit more on close friends and to buy them something that I know they want. I dont think you can go too wrong with books as they get so much plastic tat that books are usually a relief!

Ditto book people

You could get your DD to make a load of cards over the long Easter hols.

The Works have lovely reasonable cupcake recipe books - you could make up a really nice little baking set with cases and sprinkles from a supermarket.

Costume jewellery can be made to look more than it is wrapped in tissue and put in a nice gift bag.

A photo of the group of friends put in a frame from Poundland makes a nice cheap prezzie with personal touch.

Icing opens - just from Morrisons or Tescos...

Sorry- haven't managed to log on for a few days.

Thanks for all the ideas- will check out the books, and I also love the baking idea.

Didn't know Tesco did 10 for £1 cards either- I have been missing a trick!

Morrisons do some really nice bakings sets - cookies, gingerbread men, brownies, etc. They contain the mix and usually a cutter and decorations. They are very cheap. I'd also recommend a £5 gift voucher from Toys'RUs if you don't know the child very well. Can't go wrong with that!

I always look out for things in the sale and keep a 'present cupboard'. I have to admit I 'recycle' presents too and any duplicates or things the DSs don't particularly like end up in there too!

Let DD make the cards. Much more personal anyway.

• Book People sets to split
• Places like TK Maxx and Home bargains have branded toys andgames for much cheaper
• make your own craft sets - buy in bulk and split into nice boxes
• 3 for 2 deals; have a present drawer so you can buy as and when you see them

At this time of year, a potted plant is actually quite a nice and different gift - especially for girls. Or maybe even a growbag and tomato plant?!

Agree re: baking stuff.

A mug from somewhere like Home Bargains with some hot choc sachets and some mini marshmallows.

For girls, Accessorise do lovely necklaces for around a fiver and I save pretty boxes to put them in.

Funky socks have also gone down well.

I have just bought a few things from Yellow Moon in the sale both for under a fiver each which am planning on keeping for upcoming children's birthdays:

Grow your own strawberries

Decorate your own wooden crown

I usually 'bulk buy' things I like in the sale and then save them for parties. I bought five (identical) jewellery boxes from GLTC earlier this year reduced from £12 to £5. We know children from different groups of friends so they are unlikely to see each other's gifts.

It's all about keeping an eye on deals as well, in our local Entertainer they had two packs of bendaroos for a £5. Told SiL as DNc is 5 and has a ton of parties over the next few months and it's her first experience of parties.

I've always kept a stash of cards/presents picked up in the sale etc for friends and family, sometimes it's a PIA if you've forgotton and have to rush around and always spend more money than I would if planned in advance.

I like the cupcake kit, it's stuff you wouldn't necessarily buy for your kids if out shopping.

Keep a box of ribbon scraps & buttons, collect up old wrapping paper, tissue paper etc or buy plain parcel wrap and get the kids to potato print funky stars or squiggles for cheap wrap alternative. I tend to re-use paper bags from shops, you can quickly whip over them with poster paint, or emulsion tester pots and again get the kids to print images on them. It keeps them busy during school breaks.

I always try to personalise things, it looks much more individual and sometimes doesn't take that much time. Decorating photoframes is really handy, ikea or poundstretcher are really nice, and another thing to do in the school breaks. Sticking buttons, ribbon, felt shapes or whatever on the outside. They can then be stashed for later use. Often kids forget what they've done a week ago let alone a month or too.

Best advice about recycling presents it to make a note of who the present came from so you don't give it back to them by mistake. I remember that from when we were kids. My mum was very frugal.

Another vote for Book People & the Works here!

I've also bought a month's Club Penguin subscription card and wrapped it up with some sweets or chocolate. A gift that lasts and takes up no room whatsoever !

Love the Cupcakes idea - I will be stealing that one for the next party DD goes to!