Buying birthday party gifts
By Michelle
Every time my child gets an invitation to a birthday party, there's a moment of dread. I want to buy the birthday child a nice gift that's a reasonable price ($15 or less). But whenever I enter the store, my brain fogs up in a haze of dolls, trucks, and games. What if they already have this toy? Shouldn't they be doing something more creative, like coloring or building with blocks? Once, I tried asking my son what he thought his friend would like, and he, of course, picked out one of the most expensive items in the store. Right. Like that'll happen.
I'll meander through the aisles and eventually when my brain hits overload, I'll randomly choose something. One time, I bought a doll for my goddaughter that said "Mama" and "Papa." You can't go wrong with a gift like this, right? Even if they already have one, most girls like dolls. Apparently I should have shuffled through the remainder of the sounds because my sister-in-law called me later. The last sound made by the doll bears a strong resemblance to the word "Boogers." We still don't know what the doll was trying to say. This Christmas, she paid me back by giving my daughter a doll that sounds like Linda Blair in "The Exorcist." I haven't bought dolls for birthday parties since.
Now, I'm facing not one, but two birthday gifts to buy. One is for my son's friend and another for my son, whose birthday is in a few weeks. I'm already in panic mode. Not so much for the friend, but now for my son who is turning four. He has far too many toys, and I really don't want to add to the madness. He's getting a booster seat for the car, but it's hard to get excited about that. And he already has enough books to start a children's library.
I'm also grimacing at the cost of the paper products. He wants to have cupcakes and a party in his pre-K class, which is in the neighborhood of 24 kids. All the party products are in sets of eight. It would cost over $100 in paper products, if I bought themed plates. I believe this year we will be using the Styrofoam theme. I can hear the conversation now.
"Sweetie, don't you just love this gleaming white Styrofoam? Isn't it just wonderful?"
My son, "Mommy, I want Spiderman."
"But you can imagine Spiderman on there, can't you?"
I still haven't figured out the solution to this one.
So what did you buy your child on his/her last birthday? Any suggestions?
Michelle lives with her husband and children in southeastern Virginia, where she teaches sixth-graders and also writes historical romances.
Think Pink Blue 2 has a lovely section of gifts for both boys and girls at reasonable rates.
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One thing we did for our daughter's birthday with the family is to mention to grandma (who told everyone else) that we were trying to put together a dress-up box for her. So everyone gave her something of their's that she could use. It was so cute. I put my wedding veil in. Great-grandma gave her purses. Grandma put in some heels. Grandpa put in his hat that he wore in the army. Another uncle put in an old vest. An aunt put in a bunch of bridesmaids gowns she would never wear again. We labled each of the pieces so she would know who they came from.
Etiquette-wise (if you're into that sort of thing), it's impolite to put "no-presents" on an invitation. It presumes that people were expected to bring a gift, which is always optional, never required.
Posted by: mom2chaos | February 03, 2006 at 06:24 PM
I agree on avoiding the expensive character paper products, or getting just one (like something hanging) and getting plain for the rest.
My four year old loves the Imaginext castles. He also just received the Batman mask and cape and likes that a lot. My mom got him an art set. He already had most of it, but something about the colored pencils, crayons and paints in a nifty case really enthralls him.
Also, The Oriental Trading company is on line and they have lots of good stuff for birthday parties, cheap!
Good luck!
Posted by: Kris | January 31, 2006 at 08:09 AM
I agree with March, who posted above about the no presents thing. When we had a birthday party for our son, we specified no gifts please (Which means you don't have to write thank you notes!! Yay!) As far as taking gifts to a party, I go for the first $10 truck for a boy, doll for a girl thing plus a small book of some kind and then I forget about it because that's what they will do -- in less than ten minutes! I am exhausted by all the gift giving events these days.
Posted by: Tina | January 30, 2006 at 09:36 PM
If you're having cupcakes can't you just serve them with napkins? Me, I'd compromise and get themed napkins and plain other things. Also, try some of the party good websites that sell the kits or a discount party store.
I'm w/you on the gifts tho - I hate spending the $ when I know these kids need the stuff as much as mine don't and I will truly honor the invitations I get that say no gifts...
Good luck!
Posted by: Maria | January 30, 2006 at 02:26 PM
i like to go for craft kits. even if the child has had it before it is likely used up or dried up.
this works for your own children too!
or, for your own kids, you might try passes for skating, or mini-golf...things like that...an outing with you that they pick.
Posted by: beckie | January 30, 2006 at 02:22 PM
i like to go for craft kits. even if the child has had it before it is likely used up or dried up.
this works for your own children too!
or, for your own kids, you might try passes for skating, or mini-golf...things like that...an outing with you that they pick.
Posted by: beckie | January 30, 2006 at 02:22 PM
I so could have written this! I'm obsessed with finding the right/best present. I spend forever in the store. My current favorite gifts: Tennis rackets and stomp rockets (from Highlights.com). Both $15, but shipping is high on stomp rockets. Stock up for the future! Target has paper products in their $1 aisle.
Posted by: Leigh Ann | January 30, 2006 at 10:05 AM