Sunday, April 03, 2011

Birthday party gifts: cheap not nasty

Now that they are both at school, the screamies get invited to a lot of birthday parties - in a move that is designed to torture poor parents, it is mandatory to invite all kids to your party at their school - we've figured we go to around 20 a year for each child, ie 40 parties.

Thus it is rare to have a weekend that is partyless, and if we do have a free weekend I get quite folorn as I have to find some way to amuse myself other than stealing lollies from the lolly bags.  Oh the tedium. Sigh.

One of the more daunting aspects of all this, is the birthday gift.  Usually gift selection has involved me rushing off to the mall, spending $30 on a gift and another $10 at least on wrapping paper and cards.  (So 40 parties times $40 is $1600, gulp).  The present is wrapped and the child in question signs the card and it is delivered to the party, and that is the end of it.

Its all seemed a bit expensive and pointless to me.  I think its important to get the birthday girl a gift that she will enjoy (so not a load of bunkum from the $2 Shop), and I think the kids should be involved in the selection and preparation of the gift, so that they learn about giving and being excited about giving.


So this time around I headed off to the local op-shop, and we came up with this gift for the extortionate sum of $6.  A bunny basket, teddy bear figurine, two sparkly necklaces and a sparkly bracelet, perfect for a six year old.  
Miss 6 was so excited she couldn't keep her hands off the present and I had to hide it away.

:)

8 people love me:

greenfumb said...

Well done, very creative.

I remember those days with horror - buying stuff for kids who already have everything (twice) and having no free weekends whatsoever. You will survive, I did.

Bought some Jersey milk from the market today - extortionate - better get that cow organised. :-)

Bubby Makes Three said...

my kids are yet to enter the 'school' age... but I am already having panic attacks about this very issue! I cant keep up with nieces and nephew b'days let alone the countless school kid parties they are bound to get invited to! would something handmade be out of the question??!

Anonymous said...

I remember those days well, but not fondly. It can get a bit ridiculous. Great job on the gift!!

Anonymous said...

I am in the same stage of life as Bubby makes 3 and I dread the school stuff and presents that go with it. If I can't do neices and nephews I am going to get an F for school friend presents.
If you hadn't of said where you got the present no one would have guessed. It was awesome.

Unknown said...

LOL Greenfumb, have new cunning cow plan. Kids school presently has 2 steer (for ag club or something) I reckon we could sneak in a milker, noone would notice, and I could milk it after drop-offs :)

Hey Bubby, I think handmade would be just fine. I know my kids would love something like that.

Thanx Mel
Thanks Elsie May :) :)

1st communion gifts said...

The rabbit concept is so pretty! Oh! this is so cute and fun for kids.

1st communion gifts said...

The rabbit concept is so pretty! Oh! this is so cute and fun for kids.

ElsieMay said...

I am in the same stage of life as Bubby makes 3 and I dread the school stuff and presents that go with it. If I can't do neices and nephews I am going to get an F for school friend presents.
If you hadn't of said where you got the present no one would have guessed. It was awesome.