Children birthdays under 7

[Hertsmum234]

So I have 2 children under 7 at primary school and we can have 2 to 4 (not even joking) birthdays every weekend. Obviously we don't go to all of them - I tried that once, big mistake. But the gift and card buying feels like a full time job at times. I can't keep up and I'm often stressing last minute to go to the shop which I just don't leave enough time for.
Do you have any suggestions on this? Do people bulk buy gifts? Do you think parents will share notes and it come across unthoughtful?! is it just me that finds the whole thing so stressful??!
I'd also be curious to find our if any husbands take responsibility for this part of parent life!

Ar my school the parents started a wonderful system of group buying presents for birthdays. It means just one decent present for the child instead of loads of cheap tat (sorry but that's generally what it amounts to when buying individually!), it's cheaper for the parents, and people take it in turns to organise the present. The parents of the birthday child will tell the organiser what they want for the kid. It's all coordinated through the WhatsApp group. Can you try something like that?

I bought a big pack of blank (pastel coloured) cards with envelopes. The kids can just draw/ write in them. It's cute and their friends won't be that into the cards anyway. I also get books (nice ones) on sale sites and keep them in the cupboard.

Honestly, you're not on your own. I would consider rejecting invites just because the quantity of gifts I was buying was unsustainable and I was spending £15-20 a go.
One thing we changed in our class, which has been an absolute game changer was using Viing to create the birthday collection pot for each birthday. We have a class rep that creates the link and shares it in the WhatsApp group. If you know you're going to the party, you contribute what you can (usually I chip in £10) and leave a message.
The parents are actually so much happier with this because they end up with less waste, less plastic , gifts that never get open etc And surprisingly, the child is super chuffed because the parent can choose what to spend the funds on or they get bigger gift. You can also collate all the kids messages in one group card, although some still like to buy their own.
And the guests are also super happy because it's made the entire experience so much less stressful and less expensive. All round every one is happy.

honestly, consider suggesting this to your class. Viing is the best service we've found (we tried a few) and I'm always singing their praises, because it's one of those rare services that has actually added value! note though - please beware of other services that use sneaky tactics to add 'voluntary' hefty fees that nobody ever has time to notice!

Go to the card factory and buy the 10 cards for how ever much it is. Either put some money in the card or have a theme per year group eg yr 1 Usbourne sticker book, year 2 galt science set.

I never thought to do something like this - this is a great idea, thank you! Actually, we've used Viing at work, but never considered using it for schools. I always thought kids like to receive lots of small presents.

Bulk buy cards, either a pack or a handful of cheap age ones from Asda etc at once

Either cash and a small gift, cash £10 in the card, or gifts of that value. I do bulk buy if I see something good on offer. My aim is £10 and something consumable, sensible eg colouring books, games and not too big!

Easy, just buy off amazon

Of course parents don't compare notes on gifts, would you? And if they did why would they think less of anyone - I'd be impressed at the organisation!

I used black Friday to buy a set gift for the year this year, bulk pack of cards from the range and I'm sorted.

We also have a great local toyshop who gift wraps for you so I like using them as I'm very bad at wrapping!

I always bulk buy in sales. Places like The Works etc always have good deals at Christmas etc. We have a stash of gifts and the children like choosing something from it for each party, depending on what they think that child would like. I just make sure I top it up whenever we're running low and then we're never caught out rushing around for a gift at the last minute.

I have a theme per year, so everyone gets slime/nerf gun/lego set/whatever is on 3 for 2.

Ours does the same - everyone puts a fiver in a card and birthday child goes to buy themselves something big at toy shop - such a good idea!

I bulk buy cards off ebay and most gifts are Amazon deals - if I see a good deal then I buy as many as I can (often limited to 6, and have sometimes waited a few months for delivery). Usually priced at 60% off rrp at least, so I look more generous than I am. Then it gets stored on the top of the wardrobe and I take them out before a party.

I don't think the group buying would work in our school, people wouldn't want to be organising it.

I get cards from Asda for 29p, I’ll buy about 10 at once when I’m stocking up.

Parties so far I’ve spent around £10 or £5 per child if it’s a joint party. B&M have some good Lego sets, I’ve brought a few of the Lego friends ones for around £8. They have good sales at the works (toys/ games for £3.50) and sometimes Argos have some good things. I think stocking up and having a present drawer is a good idea.

I’m wondering whether to just give money in the future though as I’d rather it go towards something they actually want but I know kids love opening presents and my DC likes to take a present. I’m sure the parents would prefer they receive money.

I bulk buy when I see bargains, usually from The Works or a supermarket.

I really don't think people compare notes on presents - no-one has ever talked to me about what people bought! In my experience children under 7 love all the tat, I don't think I'd want to do the present money pot.

I agree. Parents hate clutter but children love having lots of open. Mine also love picking something out and handing it over to the birthday child. I like instilling that joy of gifting early on.

It's the same with teacher presents, I'd hate to just throw a fiver into a pot and leave it to someone else. It feels so impersonal and the children don't feel involved. I guess money in a card could also be seen as impersonal but at least that gives the birthday child the joy of choosing something themselves. I think that's a fine alternative if you run out of time to shop. Each to their own I guess.

People have different definitions of 'tat' too. Mine often give/receive things like books, puzzles, games, hair accessories, craft sets, soft toys, dolls/action figures etc. It all gets used (or can be regifted if it's a duplicate). Mine often remember who got what too. "I'm going to wear the headband Isla gave me today", or "let's play the game Charlotte brought me" etc.

As I said, each to their own but I've never been into gift collections (and I think they can become quite awkward for those who don't take part, for whatever reason). I don't even do class WhatsApp groups. The problems they can cause!

Find something your kid likes, buy it for parties. Most years I’ve got my go-to present that will do for most kids unless there have been a special request. I’ve got a small bank of gifts I tend to get on Amazon prime. My favourite though is doing collections to get a bigger joint present.

I usually buy a Lego friends set from Amazon. Cards and wrapping can be very cheap from card factory. You can spend under £10 easily

I get books for parties. Parents are happy with that as doesn't feel up their house with plastic crap and it's cheap. I give a gift receipt so child can have fun exchanging it if they already have the book.
If you have a husband of course he should be doing his fair share of ferrying around if you don't want to go. I personally love going to birthday parties with my son (he's 2) but adults are included at this age.

I keep a birthday box.

Buy a load of birthday gift bags/tissue/number cards every year in the sale after Christmas. My order from Rex London has arrived today and I think I paid 25p per card, 50p per gift bag/tissue set.

Each bag gets 4 things (also bulk bought) - 1x book from the Works (10 for £10, buy 30 in one go), 1x small gift - I also bought from the Rex Sale this year, 50p per bag of marbles/50p for fairy hair slides, and a bag of chocolate buttons from Arthouse Unlimited £6 (completely unnecessary, I did it once and the child loved it so it stuck) and a present from Tesco.

So the Tesco thing might be a life hack only applicable in my local Tesco, but EVERY time I go to the toy section there's stuff on clearance at 80% off - so I buy anything loosely age related originally worth £10 (so £2) for the box.

Sounds ridiculously complicated I know, but really it's 2x big orders (Rex London + The Works) in Jan, and swinging by the toy aisle when I get the chance, and then everything is ready in a box to put together the morning of a party. Works out around £4/5 a time (+ £6 if you're as ridiculous as me and get the fancy buttons!)

We've just gone through a round of 3 year old birthdays and I bulk bought a multi pack of reusable sticker books.

Worked really well.

I buy cards and gifts in advance too.

Also by seventh birthdays you'll be coming to the end of whole class parties so soon your older DC will probably be getting fewer invitations.

DS aged 4 makes cards for his pals - we bought a pack of 50 blank cards plus envelopes from Home Bargains and he draws them a little picture. I appreciate this is only viable whilst he is tiny and enthusiastic, I'll switch to Card Factory cards in due course (I'm not sure any kid is bothered about the card, just the present?!)

I currently bulk buy and have a stock of wrapping paper - at the moment everyone gets Lego or Playmobil, all of which I bought in the Amazon Prime sale in November. I have enough to last til the end of Feb. At DS' party last year he was delighted to receive Paw Patrol toys, Hot Wheels, stickers and books. One fab Mum bought him some pyjamas - he was thrilled. Without exception all of the gifts were age appropriate and thoughtful, people probably spent between £4-12 per gift.

The only people we've discussed gifts with are a couple of DS' close preschool friends' parents - to be clear nothing negative and never any form of comparison, we chat about the kids and I ask if they would like anything in particular. Most parents name a book when asked!

DH does not get involved with the cards or gifts (not least because I quite like it) but takes DS to most of his parties whilst I look after the baby (who is a breastfed bottle refuser, so not easy to leave at present).