What is a proper gift to give at kiddie parties without breaking your family budget?

Our children are frequently invited to classmates' parties, usually at expensive locations other than at-home gatherings like back in the "olden days". We don't have a large budget to afford month after month of gifts, but if it's a close friend of my children, we'll bring a $15-20 gift. If we cannot make the event at all, is a gift still in order?

I can't see spending a fortune all year long when we don't even blow for a big bash for our own kids every year due to financial restraints. What is proper or the norm today and what are some suggestions for gifts that won't break our budget? Asked by NYCMommy 39 months ago Similar questions: proper gift give kiddie parties breaking family budget Family > Parenting.

Similar questions: proper gift give kiddie parties breaking family budget.

Nope If we cant make it we might send a card, or else just tell my son to wish his friend a Happy Bday. If its one of his good friends or his best friend, that is different. They get a gift, as most of them are like family and their family sees my sons the same way.

I often give books. I often will have my son ask his friend if he has read a book, and he normally has a list of 3-4 to ask about and the one he says no to, is what we get him. OIften with a cool bookmark or I make him a Photo Bookmark, and most loce that.

Otherwise we give them a cool photo for the wall. Maybe in a cheap frame or maybe not. I am a Photographer so that helps, esp since I shoot a lot of Cars and boys love cars, and their sisters love the flowers I do often as well.

But be creaticve. You don't need to spend lots of $$. Im a single dad so I knwo how tight it is, esp since I don't get "regular" paychecks so its even harder.

If its aroudn fishing season, a few fishing lures work great too, and I foten will stock up on them in the fall when they go on clearance or in the winter when on clearance still, so I have a stash ready for Bdays as well as rewards for my boys. Hope this helps. Sources: My experiences as a single foster/adopting daddy of 5 boys, please check out my Online Photo Gallery at AkPhotos.zenfolio.com/ GlacierWaterIsCold's Recommendations Real Boys : Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood Amazon List Price: $16.00 Used from: $0.01 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 117 reviews) Real Boys Workbook: The Definitive Guide to Understanding and Interacting with Boys of All Ages Amazon List Price: $16.95 Used from: $5.00 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 3 reviews) Real Boys' Voices Amazon List Price: $15.00 Used from: $0.01 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 15 reviews) Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys Amazon List Price: $15.00 Used from: $6.003 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 108 reviews) Raising Confident Boys: 100 Tips for Parents and Teachers Amazon List Price: $16.007 Used from: $6.008 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 7 reviews) Boys of Few Words: Raising Our Sons to Communicate and Connect Amazon List Price: $16.009 Used from: $6.007 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 5 reviews) Shadowdale (Forgotten Realms: Avatar Trilogy, Book 1) Amazon List Price: $6.008 Used from: $2.50 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 42 reviews) Champions of the Force (Star Wars: The Jedi Academy Trilogy, Vol.3) Amazon List Price: $6.008 Used from: $0.01 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 115 reviews) Heirs of the Force (Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights, Book 1) Amazon List Price: $5.99 Used from: $0.58 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 46 reviews) The Lost Ones (Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights, Book 3) Amazon List Price: $5.99 Used from: $3.49 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 69 reviews) The Shadow Academy (Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights, Book 2) Amazon List Price: $5.99 Used from: $3.50 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 22 reviews) Star Wars - Jedi Academy: Leviathan Amazon List Price: $11.95 Used from: $0.77 Average Customer Rating: 2.5 out of 5 (based on 5 reviews) The Sith War (Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, Volume Three) Amazon List Price: $17.95 Used from: $3.62 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 20 reviews) Star Wars: Jedi Academy Trilogy Amazon List Price: $14.98 Used from: $5.87 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 1 reviews) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) Amazon List Price: $34.99 Used from: $4.87 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 3221 reviews) Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone: 10th Anniversary Edition (Harry Potter) Amazon List Price: $30.00 Used from: $13.80 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 5428 reviews) Fact, Fiction, and Folklore in Harry Potter's World: An Unofficial Guide Amazon List Price: $16.95 Used from: $0.01 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 22 reviews) The Dark Elf Trilogy, Collector's Edition (Homeland, Exile, Sojourn) Amazon List Price: $19.95 Used from: $5.19 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 220 reviews) Brisingr (Inheritance, Book 3) Amazon List Price: $27.50 Used from: $16.78 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 82 reviews) Eragon (Inheritance) Amazon List Price: $7.99 Used from: $4.35 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 95 reviews) Inheritance Cycle Omnibus: Eragon and Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle) Amazon List Price: $19.99 Used from: $10.75 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 6 reviews) Eldest (Inheritance, Book 2) Amazon List Price: $21.00 Used from: $2.00 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 1499 reviews) the first 6 are for parenst and the rest of the boosk are some we often give as gifts.

The Young Jedi ones are really good, my boys like them almost as much as Harry Potter and most their friends like and read them now. My eldest just gave the Avatar set to his friend and his friend loves it! So hope that helps..

Keep it simple! We have three kids, and the number of birthday parties they get invited to is insane. I think half the kids in my son's preschool class last year had birthdays in May and June, so every week for two months we had at least one party to attend.It was crazy!

If you can't make it to the party, don't worry about the gift. I wouldn't bother unless it was a VERY close friend or family member. We always have one or two kids who can't make it to a party for one of our children.

The only time a child who wasn't at the party gave a gift was when my daughter's best friend got sick the day of the party and had to miss it. If anyone thinks less of you for not buying a present for a party your child can't attend, they are just being greedy.As for gift ideas, you can keep the present under budget and still give something nice. Books, coloring books and crayons, art and craft supplies, gift certificate to an ice cream place, bookstore, or toy store, etc. Last year one of the kids gave my daughter a stuffed bear and a ten dollar gift card to Wal-Mart.

She also got a gift card to a local book store for ten dollars. She was so happy to be able to use those for something she wanted. Try to find things a child will actually get some use out of, not just break or lose.

If it's a summer birthday, you can put together an inexpensive gift bag with water balloons, a frisbee, a jumprope, and some sidewalk chalk for probably around ten bucks. In winter, create a little bag with an inexpensive scarf and glove set, big black buttons, and goofy hat. Tie everything together with ribbon and call it a snowman kit.Be creative but keep things simple.

The kids who receive the presents will love them, and cost shouldn't be a factor. I've been to some outlandish parties where I felt like I should have my kid write the birthday kid a thank you note afterwards for all the fun and goodies passed out.It gets to be like a competition almost, and I certainly understand where you're coming from. You could also start a new trend among your kids' friends.

Request that guests don't bring a present, but bring a donation instead. Something for the local food bank, an animal shelter, toys for tots, or whatever you and your kids can connect with. The other parents will be so impressed that maybe they'll do it too and you'll be off the hook when it comes to buying presents!

;) Last but not least, instead of buying wrapping paper and a card, have your child decorate paper to wrap the gift in and make the birthday card.It's more personal and doesn't cost as much. By the time you buy wrapping paper, a bow, and a card, you add several dollars on top of the price of the gift, just for something that's going to get thrown away. Good luck, alli-oop Sources: personal experience .

Your on the right track. $15-$20 gifts usually are good. Your best bet though is a Visa gift card.

You can get then in any amount and they can be used anywere. Iknow when I was yonger unless Iwanteda specific item any amount of cash was just as good as a gift. Sources: being a kid at one point in my life..

If your child can't attend a party, you are not expected to give a gift at all. For the parties you do attend, there are plenty of inexpensive gifts you could give. Paperback books are often less than ten dollars.

You can find games in that price range as well. Dollar stores can provide inexpensive gifts such as art supplies or room decorations. The real purpose of these parties should be for the birthday kid to have a fun time with friends.

The price of gifts really shouldn't matter. Misspinkpiggy's Recommendations Tonight On The Titanic (Magic Tree House 17, paper) Amazon List Price: $3.99 Used from: $0.01 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 48 reviews) Charlie & Chocolate Factory movie joke be (Charlie & the Chocolate Factory) Amazon List Price: $5.99 Used from: $0.01 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 1 reviews) Charlotte's Web Amazon List Price: $8.99 Used from: $0.50 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 421 reviews) Chinese Jump Rope (Color May Vary) Amazon List Price: $1.99 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 3 reviews) Take Apart 30 Inch Hula Hoop by Toysmith Amazon List Price: $4.99 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 1 reviews) .

Here where we are the big rage seems to be a gift card to "Game Stop" The amount I have been seeing given out, no matter where the party is held is $25. This way the child can get what they want and you don't go crazy. But I know what you mean about these parties, I am already up to my eyeballs in B-day parties.

I wish they would stop. I don't think you need to send a gift if you can't attend. Afterall the party is for the kids not adults.So visit gamestop.com" rel="nofollow">gamestop.com Sources: gamestop.com" rel="nofollow">gamestop.com .

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.