Gifts for party (elem. age)

It seems like gift cards are popular, but I always feel dumb gifting them for kids.

What is typical in your circle for class parties?

Do you give actual gifts and receipts or gift cards?

Thanks!

Gifts for party (elem. age)

I try to avoid gift cards too. But, I also hate to buy toys because it's usually junk! I'll usually get clothes and put a gift receipt. But, my daughter is only 7. Pretty soon I think we'll be giving gift cards because it's harder to think of something.

Re: Gifts for party (elem. age)

I love to give and get gift cards for birthdays because it's so hard to know what kids already have and I know I hate doing returns lol. I try not to do Toys R Us and stick to Target, Build a Bear Workshop or the movie theater.

Gifts for party (elem. age)

DD just turned 8 and not only did she get a few GC's, she also go quite a bit of cash. I kinda thought that was a little weird.

I usually try and do a gift, in the Spring and Summer I'll do cute little beach bags with a towel and goggles, in the fall and winter, maybe cute school supplies or fashionable socks or hats and gloves. Sometimes my daughter wants to get her friend something specific.

Re: Gifts for party (elem. age)

It has been pretty common the last couple of birthdays for us, and now I actually like them. I always like to gift a gc and something little else, like a book related to what the kid likes, or a little game.

Gifts for party (elem. age)

If my DS is good friends with the birthday child, he will know their interests and I can buy them an actual gift. If not, we go the gift card route.

Re: Gifts for party (elem. age)

I give gift cards for my daughter's classmates because 1) I have no idea what the birthday boy/girl already has or what other people will give. I hate having to deal with returns, so I don't want to inflict that on another family. And (2) DH and I work full-time. Gift cards are easy and quick.

Close friends and relatives get actual gifts.

Message edited 1/27/2016 12:46:22 PM.

Re: Gifts for party (elem. age)

I get cute clothes for girls - like a t-shirt from crew cuts. Boys are tougher. Depends on what they are into. Sporty kids I sometimes get lacrosse shorts. I am kind of glad my older son is starting to phase out of the big parties where everyone is invited.

Gifts for party (elem. age)

I was thinking of gift card to movies maybe?

Re: Gifts for party (elem. age)

Message edited 1/27/2016 6:07:02 PM.

Re: Gifts for party (elem. age)

I do actual gifts, because my kids enjoy picking them out for their friends. We tend to do Lego a lot or maybe Barbie dolls for the girls.

Re: Gifts for party (elem. age)

i give gifts with gift receipts. DS usually knows what the kids like or we go by party theme. He also loves picking a matching birthday card.

i don't like receiving gift cards. it makes me obligated to go to the specific place and i always end up spending more. plus it doesn't feel like a gift to the child.

DSs favorite gift from his birthday was a themed toy. He plays with it weekly. My least favorite was a gift card to chuck e cheese. it's not a place we ever go, so i feel like it's just wasted money. it's still sitting in my drawer and i'm not sure what to do with it.

Re: Gifts for party (elem. age)

Re: Gifts for party (elem. age)

My DS is only 4, but he received gift cards to the movies, our local jump/play place, a pottery place, and toy stores. Even at 4 he was excited to use the gift cards and knew who he each on was from. It was like the gifts lasted longer, as we used them months later. I don't think you can go wrong with gift cards, especially if you're not sure what the kid already has.

Re: Gifts for party (elem. age)

Gifts for party (elem. age)

I know Costco has movie gift cards for about $25 - you get two tickets and a $10 card to spend at the concession stand. Might be good since the child will feel a little like they can pick out some food for the movie.

Re: Gifts for party (elem. age)

Sometimes when I don't know what to get, I do the movie gift card, but I make it into a gift basket which is more exciting to the kids, I think. (Something more than just a gift in a card, and it's also less likely to get lost.)

I get the plastic popcorn buckets/bags they sell at places like the dollar store, and I fill it with a few big movie theater sized boxes of candy and/or a bag of popcorn (you can get the candy for $1 each at places like 5 Below), and then put the gift card in there, wrap it in cellophane with a bow. It's festive looking, and it works well for a boy or a girl.

Something like art supplies can be done as a gift basket, too, if you know that the kid likes arts/crafts.

In spring and summer I've done Adventureland gift cards. If it's a kid who likes sports/a particular team, I get team apparel/gear.

Re: Gifts for party (elem. age)