Birthday Party Presents on a Budget
Feb 16 2011 08:00 PM | Tricia Meyer in Raising Money Minded Kids
If you are like me, you view every birthday party invitation that comes into your house with a certain amount of dread. It seems like sometimes we go on a run where each kid gets 3 or 4 within a month. Multiplying that by just my 2 kids, that’s 6-8 gifts that I need to buy. At $15 or so a gift, that can be over $100 a month! I can’t imagine how much it would be for those of you who have more kids than I do. How do you let your kids participate but stay within your monthly budget? Here are a few tips that I have picked up over the years.First, remember that the gifts do not have to be expensive. Most birthday parties are 5, 10, or even more kids. If every gift is worth $20, that kid is getting more money in presents than he does at Christmas. It’s perfectly acceptable to keep the gift at about $10, even when your son is pushing you to buy a video game or some other expensive present.
Second, try to stock up in advance when you see things on sale. Sometimes you can pick up “all purpose gifts” like manicure sets, puzzles, and cute jewelry for half price if you watch the clearance racks. Because they are unique, they should not need to be returned; thus, you don’t have to worry about giving them a gift receipt and them finding out you only paid $5 for the gift.
Third, add a homemade gift to an inexpensive gift card. My daughter likes to make crafts so we have started giving a homemade craft along with a $10 Borders gift card. The birthday girl gets something made especially for her but also the chance to get something else small that she wanted but didn’t get from someone else.
Birthday party invitations shouldn’t be a source of stress, especially when you plan in advance and keep budget-friendly items on hand.
Tricia Meyer is an attorney, blogger, affiliate marketer, wife, and mother of two daughters. Her cash back site Sunshine Rewards helps moms save money with coupons and shopping rebates. Her newest venture, Hunger Games Fan, combines her love of deals with pop culture.
5 Comments
mommymeg08
17 February 2011 - 11:15 AM
Teaching kids at a young age to give back and the importance of it is something I feel all moms strive for. Have your child make a home made birthday card with a short letter that a donation was given to a charity chosen by your child in honor of the birthday. It is a win-win for everyone.
jhamilton
23 February 2011 - 12:06 PM
My daughter started Kindergarten this past fall. After receiving several birthday invitations at a time, I had to make my daughter decide which party to go to by which person was actually a really good friend. We got invites for all sorts of kids, just because my daughter was in their class. Easily told by receiving an invite that wasn't personally addressed to my daughter. To keep funds in check, we decided that if it was a friend that we would play with outside of school we would try our best to attend. Outside of that, we couldn't go.
This past Christmas I bought a couple presents to keep on stand-by. Again, semi-generic, but I picked up a couple build-a-bear kits for only $5 each! I look forward to keeping up next year by hitting the great christmas sales for those bday parties we know are inevidable.
This past Christmas I bought a couple presents to keep on stand-by. Again, semi-generic, but I picked up a couple build-a-bear kits for only $5 each! I look forward to keeping up next year by hitting the great christmas sales for those bday parties we know are inevidable.
Tiera
23 February 2011 - 05:45 PM
I love this article! I am a Mommy of 6 under 11 year old. So we have or attend a lot of parties (We have 3 in the next 2 weeks!)! Thankfully we have Twins (boys) and our 2 oldest daughters also have the same Birthday! All of our kiddos truly love sharing Birthdays and love to just have friends over for fun. So we usually throw a big themed outdoor party for kids, parents, family and friends. The invites always say "Please no gifts...Just come make some memories with us!". I also send out followup emails that say the same. Some people say that they really want to bring something. I ask them to just bring a little snack to share. If someone does bring a gift I kindly ask them "If it's alright if the Birthday Kiddo(s) open it up the next day so they can really enjoy it?". Then I place them out of sight. This way no one feels uncomfortable seeing or watching the b-day child open a gift if they didn't bring one. Plus at most of the parties we have been to the b-day child seems to only care about ripping into all of the gifts and not about his or her guests. As for gifts I usually stick with what I know. We are a very artistic family. So Art supplies, Crafting Kits and Science sets. I also love making up personalized gift baskets. My husband & I are Lampwork Bead Artist and our oldest are learning now. I have made centerpiece Beads with someones name or initials. Then our kiddos make up beaded necklaces, bracelets or keychain clips for gifts! Sorry to ramble! Take care, Tiera
Swedey23
24 February 2011 - 10:16 AM
Good story and thread. Love the idea of putting a $10 gift card with something homemade.
December is a great time to stock up on childrens' items to save for birthdays. We bought most of the items on our kids' Christmas list for at least 50% off because of the big sales. I bought extra of the popular toys to save for birthdays. So now we have a "store" in our attic with several $20 gifts that we paid $10 or less for, and our kids are proud to give them.
Also to add, we never open gifts at our own kids' birthday parties. It takes too long, no one feels bad if the gift doesn't get attention, the guests have more time to participate in party activities, and our birthday child understands, enjoys, and appreciates the process more in a controlled environment.
December is a great time to stock up on childrens' items to save for birthdays. We bought most of the items on our kids' Christmas list for at least 50% off because of the big sales. I bought extra of the popular toys to save for birthdays. So now we have a "store" in our attic with several $20 gifts that we paid $10 or less for, and our kids are proud to give them.
Also to add, we never open gifts at our own kids' birthday parties. It takes too long, no one feels bad if the gift doesn't get attention, the guests have more time to participate in party activities, and our birthday child understands, enjoys, and appreciates the process more in a controlled environment.
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