Buying presents for children's birthday parties - tips and tricks

[LitlLinden]

Hello,

My son has turned 4 and is getting a higher concentration of invites to birthday parties this year. I am sometimes organised, but sometimes not! I like the idea of stocking up in bulk on gifts and then choosing from my stash rather than realising I need to go toy shopping a day or so before another party.

I would be interested to know if you have any tips or tricks to share about how you reduce stress, reduce hassle, and reduce costs when it comes to buying gifts for your kids friends!!

The only idea I have so far is buying ceramic paint-your-own dinosaur money boxes or similar from YellowMoon (set of 3) - something you can paint and 'cook' the night before the party.

What ideas do you have?

LitlLinden

I buy things like lego when I see it on offer so usually have something appropriate if needed. But DS2 likes chosing for his friends (DS1 didn't have any interest in doing so).

Why would you paint & cook the night before, surely the point of paint your is for the child to do it?

For girls I buy cheap kiddies cookery books from the book people, and then add in some cookie cutters/ gingerbread men from 99p/poundland. Boys I find more challenging, I found a bug catcher for less than #5 which went down well a few times, but they stopped selling it.

I also look in the clearance section of argos catalogue, that can be quite good. The trouble I have is remembering who got what!

The book people is the place to go for stocking up on presents.

Also, isn't the point of the yellow moon craft things for the recipient to do the craft?

Sorry, didn't read the firstresponse properly!

I tend to do a sweep of the Entertainer for half price toys, lego from Sainsburys half price sale.

Cards from Card Factory.

Wrapping paper in a roll from the pound shop.

I would add a vote for the book people, I buy book collections and divide them up. they are often £6-7 books in a 10 pack for £10-15 so not much over £1 per book

I also use the book people so I have a stash of unisex presents available in my cupboard. I get multipacks of boy birthday cards and multipacks of girl birthday cards from Sainsbury's. I also get stuff when I see it on special offer.

I have a present box in the cupboard. I buy things when they are a good price eg. 3 Bakugan for £6 in B&M recently (should be £12). When Sainsbo had their half price sale I bought 6 Connect 4s reduced from £12 to 6.

Morrisons had good playmobil deals after Xmas so bought some of them. Means I never have to panic buy and kids get a pretty decent gift. We are at the invite the whole class stage and are at a party practically every other weekend, so I have decided not to bury my head in the sand about it!

I also

Mine are older now, but I used to use the Book People, but also pick up bargains as I see them when out and about. We have a Home Bargains near here which regularly had great toys and games in at excellent prices. You can also put in duplicate toys your dcs receive (clearly marked so you don't regift back to the original giver )