gift for 5yo boy

[elportodelgato]

I'd love some advice on this one - only a small problem I know but thanks in advance!

My DD is almost 2, her 'best friend' is a little boy from nursery who is about 2.5. He has an older brother who is turning 5 in a few weeks and my DD has been invited along to keep her best friend company at his brother's party. All very lovely

I spoke to the mum on the phone today, they've hired a room and some soft play stuff and have invited me and DH to both stay too (there will be wine for the grown ups ).

However, she made a point of saying 'please don't bring a gift, his schoolfriends will bring him lots of presents and anyway I am desperately trying to de-clutter atm'.

Obviously I cannot go to the party empty-handed, would seem utterly ungrateful, esp in the circs. However I don't want to add to this woman's clutter (I know how that feels!).

SO - I need ideas of something I can get which is small, nice, useful, not 'cluttery' and also something which a 5yo boy would like? (I don't know any 5yo boys) Or would it be better to get something for her and her DH / something for the whole family as a kind of 'thanks for inviting my DD'?

Any help??

Oooh, i've been waiting for one of these threads for a while.

Take him a stick you pick up on the way to the party. My dds friends come to play at ours regularly and most of the boys spend the whole time playing with 'a big stick' from our garden, which is incedentally full of toys.

Mind you, you'll probably feel like a bit of a twat turning up at a party with a big, muddy stick instead of a present....

Why do we bother with presents eh?

Or, even better, a much needed bottle of wine for the parents to enjoy after the party. (And maybe some paracetamol?)

ooh I am loving the idea of the big stick! but fear that might be the last time I am invited to a kid's party... (would forever be known and pointed at in the street as 'the woman who brought a stick to that party' )
Wine and flowers for the grown ups sounds my best bet - thinking about it, that's what I would like after a long day supervising screaming kids

lol at the stick. Perfect. Although, speaking from experience, you could add a few stones for good measure (spot the mum of a 5 yo DS)

I would maybe get a small Lego set - doesn't really create clutter as can be added to his collection (big assumption but I'm sure all 5yo boys have some Lego)

ROFL @ stick! 'tis so true, my 5yo DS would love a stick!

If she said to take nothing and she needs to declutter, I would also go with the idea of getting something for the adults.

Could you get your dcs to make a card for him and stick a £2 coin inside it. Would make the little boy

It wouldn't be a "proper" present and not clutter, but a token gesture.

Otherwise go with what others have said, small present for the parents.

thanks onepieceoflollipop, that is an excellent idea! I used to love getting those cards with £1 coins stuck to them