Just sent dd to a party without a pressie but a card and........

[Nbg]

a ten pound note in it!

Is this ok?
Can you tell its the first birthday party shes been invited to.

In my defence, I havent been well and I havent been able to get out and get the little girl something.

I hope it doesnt make us look bad.

'course its fine, money is always appreciated here!

don't worry

Message withdrawn

£10 is a fair bit imho unless she is a really good friend. I wouldn't spend/send much more than £5.

Maybe I'm just a tight moo

Fair enough if you've been ill. It should be OK if you explain that to the little girl's parents. Next time you could get your DD to make a card, which is a nice personal touch. IMO a tenner's quite generous anyway.

Oh thank god for that!

I did wonder about the plastic crap thing and they've just had a new baby last week so I'm sure the last thing they want it loads of stuff around the house.

£10 you are a bit generous arent you? Get yourself organised and send a present that your little one didnt want, save yerself a fortune

Just read the new baby thing, congratulations and I take back what I say, no chance of getting organised, well not till next week eh?

No not me, I've not had a baby, well not till November anyway

I thought a tenner was too much but dh just threw it in.
I sent him with instructions to tell the parents what we'd done lol.

We'll have bloody invites galore after this one!

I revert to my original post then >>

Ah, but will the other parents think you expect £10 gifts back for your parties? In which case, you might not get any more invites at all .

I always reckon it adds up to a tenner.. present, wrapping paper, gift tag, card, parking charge and petrol for trip into town.

Oh god I'd prefer it if we didnt get presents!

Far too much junk in our house already.
A card is more than enough IMO.

I think nows the time to stock up on bargains when they arise.

What do you buy though?

I know it sounds ungrateful but I'd rather not get pressies too. We have no space!!! If I know a child has a particular passion, eg cars or trains, I'll buy something along those lines. Otherwise, books (I usually give the parent the receipt in case they've already got it and want to exchange) or something like colouring books/sticker books that can be used then discarded. Haven't been to any parties for any children over five so not sure what you do for older ones.

That's fine - there was one little girl who was invited to ds's and his friends parties who never brought any present or card - I believe they were Jehovah's Witnesses but it used to irritate us all a bit - whether that's fair or not - it's ok to go to birthday parties then even if they don't recognise things like birthdays ?

YANBU

I agree, pressies at birthday parties always seem to be a last minute grabbed in the suopermarket kind of thing.
For very close friends we do put some thought into it, but for others I just get a £10 elc voucher.

can breath a sigh of relief.

Will definatley look of for stuff now and keep it in just in case.

I do this all the time, only with £5. Saves on paper

B & Q, I'll come to Northallerton and take you shopping

we could go to tesco

Oh, and for children under 5 usually a token gift alongside, such as a pack of jumbo crayons, you can't go too wrong with crayons.

Lol MG

So long as you dont drag me to Catterick to have a gawp

gah, rumbled

Nbg I buy in bulk from The Book People (books always welcome)

I also recycle doubles or otherwise unwanted pressies (make sure you remember who it was from first!).

Buy nice new things for special friends esp for DS1 who is 8 next month and has only been to about 7 parties this year.

But DD, 6-in-waiting and in the midst of Yr1 party madness, takes any old tat (well, not really, but she doesn't have 20 Best Friends)

totally agree with last post, my kids same age. If i send money (whihc i sometimes do) i send it with a big bar of chocolate as well