Gifts For Kids
My twins have been in school for only three days when our first birthday party invitation arrives home in my daughter’s backpack. “Celebrate Evan’s 6th birthday at the farm!” it reads and it is only a couple of weeks away.
Of course my children have been to birthday parties before. For my friend’s children or their cousins, but really never a classmate.
When giving gifts I like it to be personalized, if my friend’s son likes sharks I will buy a shark towel and bathing suit, if my nephew likes Diego then I will buy him something with Diego for his room. How do you go about buying a gift for a person you do not know?
I also think buying for a boy is harder than a girl, there are so many things you can buy a girl, clothes, toys, jewelry, crafts, but boy’s interests seem to be more specific.
My mother always bought pajamas for gifts when I was a child. It seems like a great idea because who couldn’t use pajamas, but I think children vary in size so much more these days, and without seeing the boy in person, I would be nervous to buy a clothing item.
I would love to hear from you on what you buy for kid’s birthday parties especially if you don’t know the child personally. I wonder if a gift card to Barnes & Noble would be something every child would love, I know my kids do. I am also trying to figure out what to spend on a gift. Is there a specific amount you commit to for gifts?
Do you always give the gift receipt with the gift?
gifts, birthday parties, birthday gifts, gifts for kids, parenting
September 9th, 2008 at 9:22 am
The best gift my son got at his birthday parties was a gift certificate to a local toy store. He wasn’t too psyched when he unwrapped it, but when he got to go to the store a few days later and spend it he was stoked! We’ve given gift certificates to our local toy store out a few times now and every time the parent thanks us.
September 9th, 2008 at 11:57 am
When I don’t know a kid well, I go for something generic like art supplies. I don’t know many kids that don’t like to draw. You can pick up a drawing pad and a set of markers or colored pencils fairly cheap. Next time around I’m going to make a personalized tote bag to go along with it. Oh, and unless it is family, we stick to $10-15 limit on birthday gifts.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Here’s another vote for the generic art supplies. You could also call the parents and ask for advice on what to get.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I always give more generic gift cards like Target. That way, the parents don’t have to make a special trip as they can do grocery shopping at the same time. Also do a lot of art kits as pussreboots suggested above but only for ages 5 and up for fear of giving a gift that may cause property damage.
September 10th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I have a 7 year old boy who has had school friends to his birthday parties and has been to several of theirs. Gifts my son likes have been: Nerf or regular football, Plastic gun that shoots out little Nerf-like “bullets” with suction cups on the ends, Webkins stuffed animals (he got a “boyish” lizard and a snake), the games Apples to Apples Junior, Charades for Kids, Uno, Lego kits - the kind that have all the parts to put together into a race car, hot wheels cars, I Spy books, anything sports: baseball bat/glove/balls, golf stuff (they make cheap plastic clubs & balls), baseball/football trading cards, Transformers type action figures. I wouldn’t recommend clothes for a classmate gift. I also usually keep it in the $10-$15 range. Good luck!