MiraBest Birthday Gift Etiquette and Suggestions

As your kids get older, the birthday gift situation can get out of control. I feel like every weekend I either have a birthday gift to buy or a birthday party to go to. I wondered how it is for moms who have more than one kid and each kid has 20-30 kids in their class who may have birthdays throughout the year. That can certainly add up! 

Not to mention, the etiquette for these kinds of things are hazy at best. Do you spend the same for casual school friends as you would for close family friends' kids? I usually spend around $40-50 for a close friend's/regular playdate child. But is that the same ball park for school friends? If so, I'd go broke. But one school friend's party is at a Little Gym, which I know isn't cheap. Will it seem cheap if I don't get them a nice gift?

Then, a lot of schools have a policy that you either have to invite the whole class or no one at all. I understand this mentality. You don't want to create cliques or leave anyone out. But party-wise, it would be so much simpler to be able to just invite those kids who are your child's close friends and throw a much more meaningful and special party. And, if this is the rule that all parents must follow in inviting kids, maybe I can just attend those parties of kids that are close friends of my child? Sigh, that doesn't seem so nice either!

There doesn't seem to be an easy answer. But I do notice people cutting back on parties in general--more at home parties or less frills. So, maybe that means it's ok to cut back on the gift side as well. 

As far as type of gift, if you go the toy or books/DVD route then you risk getting them something that they already have. Definitely include a gift receipt. Gift cards are uber-practical but not much fun for the birthday girl/boy who love the thrill of actually opening a gift. Clothes are the safest route--which parent wouldn't say they need more clothes than toys, right? 

Clothes are what I get as presents the most often, with maybe a small toy for the child to open (I'm sure if you ask any kid they'd prefer a toy than clothes!). I usually try to buy all birthday gifts for the month in one shopping trip. Gymboree is one of my favorite stores because they have great coupons like 20 to 30% off entire purchase. Century 21 is also great for adorable clothing sets by Polo or other department store brands. I also like Janie and Jack--even though they can be expensive, the packaging is so cute that I don't have to worry about wrapping the gift (saves time AND money!)

One friend stocks up on board games at Target when they go on sale. Recently, I saw some awesome games for around $8. She keeps them in a closet and wraps it up when it's time for a school friend's birthday which is probably often since she has 4 kids! 

Another friend (Maitai) clued me into these great personalized story books that you can order. Link here. You can be sure they don't already have one of these! And the prices are $15.95 on this site--very reasonable! She also tipped me off that Crayola has started this awesome new feature on their web site where you upload a picture and they take out the color. 

You print it out from your computer and you have a sheet that your child's friend can color. Even better--take a picture of your child with that friend and make a little booklet of them on cardstock for a mini coloring book. Or, if you are very artsy you can color it in yourself/paint it and frame it for the child. They let you print it out for 24 hours if you have this code: PR24QCHT

Disney Store Outlets (there's one at Woodbury Commons) are great for stocking up on either favors or gifts. One friend of mine buys their towels at deep discounts for party favors (since kids inevitably need one for camp!). 

Another item that's always needed are pajamas sets--Carters has great ones for around $10. I have a friend that always asks for pajamas for birthdays. For girls, tights or hair pins are great gifts because they are always getting lost or torn. For babies, Robeez are a great gift because they are pretty expensive but all parents like them! And they get pretty beat up.

Lillian Vernon is a great site for personalized gifts for kids. Their personalized ornaments are great gifts for Christmas for family friends. These personalized bath towels (with the cute animal heads) are only $14.98 right now and free shipping for orders over $55. Their terry robes are only $34.98 and will come in handy during those cold winter mornings. Their Days of the Week Hanging Organizer is awesome, too. Only $19.98 and you will save time in the morning figuring out what to wear. I love that there is a space for the socks, too.

If you're like me, your child's artwork stacks up in a bookshelf somewhere and eventually you go through and weed it out. Well, what better way to keep those great pieces than in a handy keepsake. For two, it's only $39.96. What a great gift for twins!  

What are your views on kids gift giving etiquette? What are your favorite gifts to get or give? 

Comments

[Laura]

This is a difficult subject that we've been thinking about a lot..Goes in line with "Do you invite all siblings of a friend if you know the family? Hhhmm.. not a big deal for big events like a dinner party, but has a major impact on events that charge per kid and has a limit. =) I digress... my favorite gifts to give are techy. Go figure. I love giving LeapFrogs, VTechs, laptops, remote control cars, etc. These days, it's never too early to jump into the world of IT! Contrary to most, I prefer gift cards as my house looks like the warehouse for Toy R Us! Since my kids are young, we still open their presents for them. When this changes, we'd probably prefer gifts that would stimulate his mind such as books, puzzles or anything that gets them moving! But any gift is always appreciated as it's really the thought that counts!

[twitter.com/thericebabies]

I like to give gifts that last, I will opt for paying a bit extra (but in my case I make everything). I don't give class mates the same as close friends, but I do try to make it all quality ietems. No candy, cheap platic toys, stickers, and so on.

We have enough environmental problems to worry about , reducing cheap things that dont last is a good start.

[debbie]

I have 3 kids. My oldest is in 6th grade. The amount of money being spent on birthday gifts was getting out of control. Likewise, the amount of toys my children received at their own parties was just as overwhelming- for them as well as myself. Then an amazing trend started- the chip in gift. Rather than receiving 20 -30 $15 -$20 little toys, you get one big substantial one that the kid/parent really wants. There are always a bunch of people at any given party who dont participate in this- but that's a good thing. A kids gotta open at least a few presents! : )

[Childrens Upholstered Chairs]

I bookmarked your post will read this latter

Regards

Johny

[Teri]

I have a question...my preschooler is getting invited to a lot of parties (the whole class is). Do you still need to give a gift if you cannot attend and don't really know the child or parent?

[mirabest]

Most moms I know do NOT give a gift unless it is the child of a close family friend. I'm sure the moms of the birthday child will understand!

[JOHNNIEGARDNER]

Houses are quite expensive and not every person can buy it. But, loans are created to help different people in such kind of situations.