The children’s birthday party circuit can get downright expensive, especially if you have a couple kids being invited to birthday parties. But you can give great and creative birthday presents without breaking your budget. Try these ideas...
The children’s birthday party circuit can get downright expensive, especially if you have a couple kids being invited to birthday parties. But you can give great and creative birthday presents without breaking your budget.
Stock a Closet
The top shelf in our linen closet is the gift shelf. I keep it stocked with books, art supplies, toys, and other gifts bought on sale throughout the year. When an invitation to a birthday party arrives, the first place we shop is the gift shelf.
Set a Budget
If you end up at the toy store, your sweet, generous kids are bound to pick out the $50 box of Legos or the $80 Barbie dream home. Tell them up front what your budget is and then steer them to items within that range.
It may sound tacky, but my budget changes depending on how close my child is to the birthday child. For a best friend, we might spend up to $20, while for a classmate with whom my child doesn’t play outside of school, the budget is $10 or less. And yes, you really can get a fun present for $10 or less, such as
Sidewalk chalk
Hot wheels cars
Art supplies
Magazine subscriptions
Sand toys
Water toys (you can get great deals at the end of summer)
There is nothing wrong with asking a child’s parents for ideas on what their child might like. One year, I learned that one of my son’s friends really like to play office, so we bought office supplies for his birthday. He loved them, and I never would have thought of such an unusual gift without asking his mother.
Go for the Gift Card
You may think gift cards are dull and show a lack of creativity, but kids love getting them as much as adults do. Gift cards are especially great for teens, whose “toys” tend to be more expensive: A teenager who is saving to buy a new computer, MP3 player, or game system will love getting a gift card to an electronic store. It’s even better when a group of friends conspire together to all get cards from the same store, so the birthday child can buy the big-ticket item he or she has been yearning for.
Personalized Gifts
Finally, you might want to give your child a real keepsake. If you have not checked out our selection of personalized gifts at www.more4kids.com you are in for a treat. For less than $20 you can get your child a personalized book or a personalized music CD. Both types of gifts feature your child’s name throughout the story, or sung in the song. As well as being fun, they are educational and help build self-esteem.
With a little planning ahead and creative thought, you won’t need to dread the next birthday party invitation that comes in the mail!
How can parents give great birthday gifts for kids without spending a lot of money?
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One of the most practical strategies is to stock a gift shelf throughout the year. When you spot books, art supplies, toys, or fun small items on sale, buy a few and set them aside. When a birthday invitation arrives, check the shelf first before heading to the store. You will likely find something age-appropriate and thoughtful without last-minute stress or overspending.
What is a reasonable birthday gift budget for a child’s party?
A thoughtful budget depends on how close your child is to the birthday child. For a best friend, spending up to $20 can make sense. For a classmate or acquaintance, a $10 budget is perfectly appropriate. Sidewalk chalk, Hot Wheels cars, art supplies, sand toys, books, or small beauty items can all make genuinely fun gifts for $10 or less. Kids care far more about the gesture than the price tag.
Is it okay to ask a child’s parents what gift they would like?
Absolutely — and most parents are grateful for it. Asking takes the guesswork out completely and leads to gifts the child actually wants and will use. You might be surprised by what you learn: a child who loves playing office, for example, might be thrilled by a set of office supplies rather than another toy. When in doubt, a quick question to the parent is always better than a generic guess.
Are gift cards a good choice for kids’ birthdays?
For the right age and situation, yes. Younger children tend to prefer something to unwrap, but older kids and especially teenagers often love gift cards precisely because they give full control over what to get. A card to an electronics or game store is particularly useful when a teen is saving for something bigger — and when a group of friends pool their cards from the same store, the birthday child can actually buy the item they have been wanting.
My son’s bday is in a week or two. And we’re going to my grandmothers (i hope) because there is no one here to have a bday with. All my family is there. But this is the exact issue I’m having. Thanks for the article.
Really good ideas! I also scour the clearance isles for bargains, and keep these things hidden away for parties and my kids for Christmas and birthdays.
Sidewalk chalk and books are always on hand in our “gift closet”!
The children’s birthday party circuit can get downright expensive, especially if you have a couple kids being invited to birthday parties. But you can give great and creative birthday presents without breaking your budget.
My son’s bday is in a week or two. And we’re going to my grandmothers (i hope) because there is no one here to have a bday with. All my family is there. But this is the exact issue I’m having. Thanks for the article.
Really good ideas! I also scour the clearance isles for bargains, and keep these things hidden away for parties and my kids for Christmas and birthdays.
Sidewalk chalk and books are always on hand in our “gift closet”!