Maybe not!

[peggyfromwastate]

DS7 is going to a birthday party Saturday. He went to a party for this boy before and bought a light saber for him. The parents did not approve-- violent toy. So they hid the toy from him, but Luke kept asking his friend if he liked the light saber. Finally they let the friend have the gift.

Anyway, I decided to just ask the mom what her boy wants for this Saturday's party, and she said a Lego ninjago toy, or a gift card, or a razor scooter-- the kind with 2 wheels.

What? Seriously? She says "I don't know how much those cost but he'd really like one". I know how much tgey cost- and i consider those a Main Gift type of thing

They cost about 35$ on sale!! Whatever.

Anyway, I'm sure the party will be fun. And I did ask for suggestions but the scooter thing surprised me... Btw this boy is super wild and likes to wrestle, rough house, etc. Idk what the issue was with light sabers per se.

Sigh.

[v-girl]

Yikes! That's the kind of gift a nice aunt gives (my sister has given them to the kids and their cousins). We have a $15 limit on most "friend" presents. Now, friends we have known for a long time or are super-close to will likely get a slightly pricier gift, but not $35!

[diggitydot]

Seriously? Uh, no. Give the kid some damn Legos and call it a day.

[ladymoreta]

Definitely Legos... >.>

[DCJenn]

WTF? I think she's high.

J.

[fluffhead]

legos rock. Never a disappointment, and never regifted (unless we already have it)

[peggyfromwastate]

I liked the description of scooters-- I have 5 kids!! I think I know what they are but thanks!!

Lol. I'll look at the Lego thing. It's just me maybe but I don't like to give gift cards for kid birthday gifts. YMMV.

[Meenah]

WTF?? She must think you are a DAWKTER'S wife!

[samssugarmomma]

She's nuts!

So that there isn't another light saber incidient - how about a donation to a charity. 8 )

We have a $15 limit on gifts for friends as well but I usually try to snag something for less than that on sale.

[Pollyanna]

It's just me maybe but I don't like to give gift cards for kid birthday gifts. YMMV.

I didn't used to either but now our go to gift for girls is a small stuffed animal with a $10 gift card wrapped around it's neck and for boys a small Lego box (or something similar) with a $10 gift card attached. This allows me to stay close to the $15 mark, the child gets something to play with and some money to shop with.

Honestly, it seems silly to even give gifts when no one opens them at the party anymore. I know the theory is that it's because the party is not supposed to be about the gifts but my kids always like to see their friends open the gifts. IMO if it's not about the gifts then don't have children bring gifts. Opening gifts in front of people is a skill children need to learn. They need to learn to be gracious and appreciative and I think that is better learned "on the job" so to speak .

[scrub-jay]

I didn't used to either but now our go to gift for girls is a small stuffed animal with a $10 gift card wrapped around it's neck and for boys a small Lego box (or something similar) with a $10 gift card attached. This allows me to stay close to the $15 mark, the child gets something to play with and some money to shop with.

Honestly, it seems silly to even give gifts when no one opens them at the party anymore. I know the theory is that it's because the party is not supposed to be about the gifts but my kids always like to see their friends open the gifts. IMO if it's not about the gifts then don't have children bring gifts. Opening gifts in front of people is a skill children need to learn. They need to learn to be gracious and appreciative and I think that is better learned "on the job" so to speak .

I agree with this!! The fun of birthdays/holidays is watching someone open the gift that YOU picked out. I have far more fun getting gifts for people than receiving them.

[MrsK]

I'd be giving play-doh or a board game or whatever else age appropriate that is in the gift closet at home. I stock up when I find something on sale for around $10 or less.

[peggyfromwastate]

I usually take my kids to pick out the gift. They may not buy anything they want for themselves on the trip, we stick to 15-20$, and they have to get something they would like to receive too. Buying something for a buddy and not getting something for yourself is a skill too...

I pretty much am to the point where I'd rather my kids were not invited lol. It's just so much work!! But alas, we are in the midst of the party years!