This week saw a birthday in our family but we are countries apart so the celebrations are on hold until November. However invites from our school friends have started to arrive, a bowling party last weekend, a pamper party to come in October and some disco dancing to throw into the mix too.
So how much are we expected to spend on a child’s gift these days and more to the point has anyone got some great gift ideas? This is one question that sends me into turmoil every time an invite is discovered in the book bag and I’m wondering if I’m not alone?
I also have two children at the party so I’m imagining I should double the quota to cover both girls, or should they go in with a gift each?
Can anyone please let me know the etiquette of kids parties?
Hope you’re all enjoying this last boost of warm and clear skies before we head into October. Click on the Round-up page at the top of the page to see all the latest from the community and grab the authors email or twitter handle if you’d like one of your posts to be included next time.
My best post of the week was wishing my daughter a happy birthday and a great year ahead, link up your favourite post from the past week below and have a wonderful week yourselves
Mari
About Marianne Weekes
BLOGS AT: Mari's World; TWITTER: @maris_world. Mother of four and nana to three, Marianne Weekes has spent half her life in the UK and the other half in Italy. Blogging since Jan 2010, she finds it hard to drag herself away from her laptop and writes about food, travel and lifestyle. Always on the lookout for the next thing which takes her down many surprising lanes.
Downs Side Up
Tuesday 1st of October 2013
How about two small gifts that go together, like an apron and a chef's hat?
I don't spend a lot as it gets enormously pricey over the year, and parents feel pressured into expensive gifts. I have a present drawer full of lovely little things I find in sales. My girls like making bead bracelets for their friends too. Made with love as they say :)
H x
Yvonne
Tuesday 1st of October 2013
One of my sons has triplets as a friend and at his first party they each brought him a gift - i thought this was so generous of their mum as they were invited to a lot of parties!! It is something I would probably have done myself though.
The Reading Residence (@ihavecards)
Saturday 28th of September 2013
I wish I could help, but we're in the same boat! My daughter had her first party last weekend, though fortunately it was for a good friend of hers so I already had the gift sorted as we've been buying for her since she turned 1 anyway. But it opened my eyes to the 'etiquette' and others' behaviour at these things. It';s me daughter's birthday next week, and I've just had to ask at her pre-school what the 'done thing' is there - so sweets have been purchased ready to send in with her. It's a whole new world to me!
Emma
Saturday 28th of September 2013
I usually spend around 20-30 euros per gift, as seems to be the norm here, and I always check with the Mum what they would like (to save on duplicate pressies!)... But luckily parties seem to be few and far between! In the UK I remember spending around £15...
3yearsandhome
Saturday 28th of September 2013
My boys are a bit too young for parties yet so I haven't faced the present issue. From the other point of view though, I'm not so sure that I'd want my child receiving a ton of expensive gifts either. A child simply doesn't need that many presents. I find myself cringing at the amount given just from family and wouldn't want that added to. I don't known what the answer is.