I'm planning my daughter's first birthday party and we have a LOT of kids invited from all sides of the family. Their ages range from 9 months to 12 years. I bought a few little things (sidewalk chalk, bubbles, play money, etc) for the kids aged 3-7, but I'm at a loss for what to put in the gift bags for the other children. I'm not about to give a 9 month old sidewalk chalk, and I'm fairly certain a 12 year old would look at me like I grew another head if I offered her play money. I did already pick up some things from the dollar store (glow sticks and finger traps for the 8-12 year crowd), but I'm looking for some other recommendations for the younger babies and the older pre-teens. And need I mention that it has to be cheap? ;)
Thank you!
Well, the party was this past Sunday and it was a blast! I bought two or three small things that people here mentioned (board books and sand toys), put everything together in a big box that I'd covered with a tablecloth and when the kids were leaving I let them have their choice of three things each. It was nice to see them get excited about what they got to pick and I didn't have to worry about them not liking their gift. The parents were appreciative that I didn't give a ton of little things as well (since we already had a pinata). Thank you for all the suggestions!
My suggestion is books(you could probably fine some fun ones for the older kids), without having to get any of the odds and end stuff.
I had the same problem and solved it by offering the younger kids books, balls and bubbles. All you can get at the dollar store and it won't break the budget but they will enjoy. In fact, some of the older kids seemed to like them too, even though they got more "fun" stuff. And, you may be surprised about what a 12 year old will like. My stepson is 11 and he was fine to get all the same things that the younger crowd did.
Good luck!
I agree that books are always good, but they also usually have a good selection of travel games at the dollar stores (checkers, connect four, or brain teaser puzzles). My 4th graders enjoyed those when I would offer them in my "birthday box". Good luck, and try to take some time to actually enjoy the party yourself!
Hella D.,
For the 9 month olds, you could give them small items like blocks, rattles, you could give hand me downs of toys your baby (or toddler now!!) isn't playing with! For the pre-teens, you could give make up (if they are into it) like eye shadows, lip glosses, those small sample bottles of perfume/cologne, sqirt guns (because they are still kids!). Hope that helps!
A.
I am planning my sons birthday party..and I got alot of things from the DOLLAR SECTION AT TARGET...
Little ones..cute character socks, or little books..
pre-teens... chapstick, little fancy mirror, nail polish, hand lotion...
I would say under one year give the kids food items, applesauce, puffs, etc. They are so young they have no idea. For 1-3 you could do chalk, bubbles, stickers, play-Doh. The older kids that is a hard one maybe an activity book (sudoko?) some cool pens,pencils - candy, journal for the girls. I hope this helps and remember to have a good time they only turn 1 once.
for the younger crowd most dollar stores carry board books or infant toys or stuff animals forthe pre teens look at the dollar store or michaels for craft projects or a deck of cards or posters to color
Am I the only mommy who would like to find the first person that did gift bags for partys and STRANGLE them??? LOL! Yeah, I still do the gift bags, but mostly because its just the norm, NOT because I want to. I remember someone once telling me that they had a "gift bucket" filled with stuff and they let the kids pick out their own little trinkett (or two). Go to a party supply place and buy a bag of filler for a pinata(?), dump it in a bucket (or box) and at the end of the party let the kids grab what they want on their way out the door. Like others suggested, you can even include some mini bags of gold fish or fingers foods for the little ones. As for older kids, I think the others are right, you'd be surprised what they'll end up grabbing out of there for themselves.
Hi D.... I don't know how you feel about gift cards, but my son went to a birthday party and instead of gift bags they gave out $5 McDonalds gift card just for something different. The older ones would probably really like something like that. You could even go to Wendy's and buy specific coupons for a free frosty (I believe the coupon is only $1.) If fast food is not for you, lots of restaurants or ice cream stores would do this too.
Hope this helps...
For my son's first, I got little bucket and filled them with applesauce, fishy crackers and the mini playdoughs and a car/truck.
Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Stickers are good too.
For my daughters...the theme was lady bugs. I got the kids little wind up ladybug toys.
Sand toys are pretty cheap and fun for little ones.
I would get a few McDonalds coupons, or some temporary tattoos. silly straws, silly putty, pencils and paper. just some ideas...hope some work
I would do board books for the little ones They usually have them in the dollar section at Target and Joanns has a few $1.00 books also For the teens I like to get a big basket and fill it with the big boxes of candy (like the movie boxes) and put a few different kinds in it and let them choose which one they want
