Good Morning
My 5 year old is going to a casual afternoon weekday Birthday party next week. She's gone to a couple parties and I usually spend about 20 bucks on a gift. What's your budget on a child's gift for that age? And any great gift ideas? I'm thinking of getting her friend a pillow pet. Another good idea are Pop Beads. They are a lot of fun and cost around $15. Any thoughts?
We have pillow pets but only one travel size which would be nice to have one more for my other child.
I think a gift certificate to a movie theater (perhaps with a movie candy as well ) would be a great useful gift.
if that's what you can budget for, then that should be just fine. I normally do not spend more than $10 on gifts for my kids friends, but if you can do $20 then go for it!
We stick in the $10 range for gifts for a friends party. unless it is a very good friend. Now having said that I do stalk the clearance isles after christmas and almost always have gifts that are worth a lot more on regular price.
I think $20 is a good price range. Sometimes I do a little more for closer friends or a little less for casual acquaintances, but always at least $15. Books are a great gift. I'm not a big fan of pillow pets, as there isn't really a lot to do with them. Pop beads or anything crafty is fun.
If you want some great toy ideas or some really nice books, please check out my Discovery Toys page. I offer a wide variety of gifts and some really great ones for 5 year olds. Playful Patterns is a wonderful one that I gave to many of my son's friends (male and female) last year. All of the moms told me how much the kids loved it! Check it out here: http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao
My son just turned 4 and heck, he likes the $1 silly putty as much as he likes the $20 Iron Man toy. So no worries about the price you spend.
What does your daughter like? ie: What's her favorite toy? Buy that for the birthday girl. Does this girl ever go to your house and play with your daughters toys? Which ones does she pick? Buy her that! I agree that Melissa and Doug is a great idea. They have a pizza-making one that I think is cute and it's gender-neutral. YOu could always get a dvd or books too. What's your daughters favorite book? Buy that one. Anything by MO Willems is our favorite. "Elephant and Piggie" are our favorites.
$15 - $20 is what I usually spend.
At 5 you could do anything. My girls are girly girls so they LOVE jewelry/make up/ nail polish. But a pillow pet sounds good too.
When both of my girls are invited we do about $30 for a gift. Sometimes it is a few smaller things, or 1 big thing. I think the budget is what YOU can afford. (or at least it should be IMO). I try to get things that I know the child will like. I do ask the parent what things are ok, or not ok. The last party was no dolls (she isnt into them) and then I let hubby go shopping (I was sick, thank you DD2 lol).. needless to say I went and got art supplies as she LOVES to draw. I also include a gift receipt so if it is not something that is wanted, liked, or had already it can be easily exchanged. I would rather the birthday child be happy with something then keep something they dont like. I do LOVE LOVE LOVE Melissa and Doug ANYTHING. If you call them with a problem they are ALWAYS happy to help, and happy on the phone!! (I want to work there! lol) They do have a few art sets, and you can get them on sale or if you have one close I know that A C Moore has a 50% off coupon this week ;) We have pillow pets, the girls love them. We have Barbie too and My Little Pony, and Strawberry Shortcake, and Polly Pocket, and Thomas trains, and a billion other things.. (wow my mom shops more then I noticed lol)
On a side note, if you arent comfortable asking the parent what the child might like, favorite books, or non messy art supplies I think are good :)
Have fun!! and Good luck in your choosing!
Usually $10 - $20 depending on how close we are to the birthday kid.
- gift cards
- play jewelry
- kid friendly nail polish
- a doll
- play figures
Just normal school kids, about 20.00.. Always, when I RSVP, I ask what he or she likes to play with...
Oh, I would say don't do the pillow pet. We have like 6 of them and they take up so much room.
I LOVE giving and recieving anything from Melissa and Doug! Good quality, will last forever classic toys! The fav around here is the wooden/magnetic dress up dolls. They're in your price range too. Toys R' Us sells them.
