Birthday Party Gift Suggestions for My 7 Year Old Daughter

OK, this is a different kind of suggestion, but here's what we did:

My daughter gets plenty of gifts from family and close friends, so (after discussing it with her), for her 6th birthday we asked her guests to bring donations for a local animal shelter, since my daughter LOVES animals (the shelter had a list of needed items on-line). For her 7th birthday, she asked for donations for a local food pantry. She was so happy when we took the items to both places...her guests had been very generous.

My grandson sometimes receives a gift card from Block Buster video store. One from Modells sport store.

Books, arts and crafts stuff, gift cards to McDonald's and the movies are great. Or ven gift cards to any store so she can pick out stuff herself. I save my kids gifts cards and put them away for a few months. I let them play with all their other birthday stuff and then a few months later when we are in a store and they are asking for something I whip out their own giftcard and let them buy it with that.

Hi J.,

Does she like books? Maybe you can suggest a gift card to Barnes & Noble so she can choose whatever books she wants whenever she wants. Can't go wrong with books. Happy Birthday to your little girl.

Hi J.. I have found that a lot of people, myself included, give gift cards. When I ask people what their child would like, they usually tell me the same thing. They have so many toys, maybe a gift card would be best so they can pick out something that they like, when they like.
I feel that if that is the route they wish to take, it makes is easier for you as the gift giver and it makes it fun for the child receiving them because they can go shopping with their own "money".
If there are two items that your child would really like, you could suggest a gift card to the store or stores where they would be able to purchase that item.

I hope this is helpful to you.

maybe shes teething. or perhaps her schedule is changing. have you noticed any changed in her daytime napping schedule?
mom of 14 and 9 year old delicious girls.

Books and craft kits are always good ideas, especially since we are entering "indoor" time. There is also and great organization called Children for Children, which suggests making donations in honor of your child's celebration.

A little about me: I am a mom of 3 (15, 13, and 2) and have started my own business at www.nomiebaby.com

I absolutely LOVE Susan S.'s suggestion - my LO isn't even one year yet, but I am thinking that this will be a great tradition to adopt for her birthday. Birthdays and other holidays become overwhelming, where the few children in our family are showered with presents. That in addition to getting presents from friends is just too much - while it's great that we can do this for them, I also don't see much appreciation for the things they do get - I think they just don't realize how much they have.

Being able to give to others is a great thing to instill in our children. I love the idea of the child picking the charity - the same one, or choosing a different one each time, making them an integral part of the process.

Since you can afford to give your daughter the gifts she wants, having her share is also a way of making her realize how lucky she is that you can give her those things. Please let us know what you end up doing!

What about gift cards to the store where the expensive items will be purchased??

Dear J. B, It sounds like you and your family are very blessed and do not need anything since you say that your daughter is "picky" about her clothes and what gifts she wants are "too expensive". So a wonderful gift for her would be the gift of being grateful and aware that there are others less fortunate than her. What about asking her and her friends to give to others less fortunate. One thing that a friend of mine did for her daughter's birthday was to have everyone give a donation that we all put in a jar that had the picture of a child who was chosen by the daughter through an organization called Plan USA in Africa. She put the picture of the child on the jar and we all contributed. At the end of the party, the birthday girl counted the money and I will never forget the wonderful expression on her face when she realized that the money that was in the jar was almost enough to sponsor the child in Africa for two years! Three years later, my friend's daughter still talks about her "sister in Africa" and is so proud to be able to help her. This also has made her aware, I think, of how fortunate she is.
Sounds like your daughter might be at a good age to be able to do something like this. It is a special gift to give a child the gift of appreciation.
Hope you might consider this or a similar option.

I always like to give gift cards (even though they may seem impersonal) as it allows a child to purchase something for themselves. So for instance, Bath & Body Works or to a movie theater so that way they can invite a friend.

Hope it helps.

How about a disposable camera and a photo album. If the wanted to, include some scrapbooking supplies

Books, a magazine subscription, craft projects, hair accessories, dress up costumes, gift certificates for the movies or bowling....
Just a few ideas that came to mind. HTH

If I were you I would suggest gift cards or let them know what stores she likes. i usually dread the gifts my kids get from their friends. My kids, like yours, don't need anymore little toys and stuffed animals. When my kid go to birthday parties I usually give gift cards as gifts. Our local CVS and Walgreens carries tons of gift cards for different stores. Maybe if you suggest stores the parents will get her gift cards. I usually give $15 gift cards. A good place to suggest a gift from is a book store. I have given quite a few Barnes and Noble gift cards.

If your daughter is a reader a new book is always a great idea. My kids have been through all the books on their shelf several times and that is what I suggest. If she loves a sport, animals whatever tell them that to. Simply put "she loves books about ______". Some people will come up with their own ideas and chances are her friends that you are inviting know what she would like anyway! A.

I would tell them to get gift cards. Say that her tastes have been changing slightly lately and you're not 100% sure of what she likes. Or, tell them all clothing from one store and then you can return it all :)
Have fun!

hi...i have been wondering this myself....to add to your question is it appropriate to ask for passes for places we like to go like the zoo/classes/museum....?

How about some great books? And if she already has certain titles, she can donate the extra copies to her school library or a literacy organization.

washable kid friendly make-up/nail polish, set of special markers or crayons (blendy pens, etc), books, jewlery ...

Definitely go the gift card route. Also see if the store that carries the 2 items your daughter wants has gift cards and suggest they get her a gift card there. This way she can go to the store and purchase the items herself!

On a separate note, I have my own personalizing party favors business. If you want one less thing to worry about, check out my website www.littleshopoffavors.com. I give a 10% disount to Mamasource members.

Gift cards are a great idea becasue then your daughter can go shopping with her own "money". If your daughter likes to read particular books - The Magic Tree House, Junie B. Jones, etc new books from the series are a possiblity as well. Good Luck!

Hi,
Gift cards are great..Claires,libby lu ,bowling..skating(ice or regular)Movies...SHe is at the perfect age for them also..They kinda think they have their own credit card!!! Happy Birthday!

The teacher in me says books are always a good choice. My daughters would add project supplies, journals or a gift card to a book store where your daughter could choose any of the above mentioned gifts. Happy Birth Day!

J., my goddaugther was the same way at her age so what we did was ask for a A/X gift card. She loved it cause she felt like it was a credit card and was able to use it at any store. The A/X start at $25.00 not to bad. Hope she had a Happy Birthday.

I think picture books are great, and I find that my 7 and 9 year olds (who love to read) never tire of a good picture book. Or maybe if your daughter likes music, a new cd? Another thought is a magazine subscriptions. Also, movie theater tkts is always handy.
Hope she has a happy birthday!

I would like to suggest that a children's Bible and or good children's Christian books are a great gift. I happen to teach Good News clubs in the public schools to kids that age. Their little hearts are longing to know more about their creator and most of the time they have everything else know to man or child as be the case and lack the very thing their hearts desire. Christian CD's and DVD's are awesome too!
MaryJane

Hi i always belive that a good gift does not have to be toys or anything that they already have, a gift card to start ballet school or any other classes is a great gift, movie tickets, gift card from a book store, or any learning pc games.

Hope this was helpful

A.

You can do a gift registry with Discovery Toys for some of their great learning games: Think it Through Tiles with the 7 Yr. Old books Advanced Math and Unlocking Word Power. That can be from 2 or 3 friends....each under $20. There's also Unjumble, Tricky Fingers, and Wiz Kids...all travel size games. Pretty Purses is a kit to make 2 pink and flowery purses, and you might even want a bunch to split up and use for party favors. Check them out at www.toysofdiscovery.com

I know how you feel. When my girls were that age, they got some great gifts, but unfortunately we just didn't use them all and donated several to charity.

If a parent asks you for a suggestion, I would say "she really wants a name the expensive gift, and she's been saving for awhile, maybe you want to consider a gift card to name the store where you'll be purchasing the expensive item", or suggest an accessory for the expensive item.

I've told all my friends and family...either giftcards to the bookstore or activities! (movie/minigolf/gym/build-a-bear/zoo/museum giftcards) ...it doesn't have to cover an entire activity(but every little bit helps) plus my kids would rather go some where and do something than get another toy(especially one they didn't pick out)...and then I can take a picture of them doing the activity and send the picture of them having fun as an added thank you!

If I'm not sure, I always say books or a gift card...Target, the movies, McDonald's...or you could suggest they make a small donation to a local children's hospital

happy birthday!