Children's birthday gifts

ixedoc

Please could I have some opinions on this topic- what would parents prefer when it's birthday parties for kids (3yrs to 9yrs)
Do you ( or the child) prefer buying/getting individual gifts - I often found that we got many gifts that got hardly any use - and know of parents who recycle gifts) OR
Would u prefer pooling whatever u were planning on spending into a common pot and getting the child something that perhaps u knew they wanted or a gift voucher so mum can organise the gift. Of course dependant on whether the birthday child /mum wanted this
Please may I have some opinions. Thanks

savememoneys

As I child I always loved getting money or vouchers because it meant I could get what I wanted rather than having to put up with yet another pair of socks from most of the people in my family.

Now if I buy gifts for children though, most of the time I'll just ask the child directly (if they're old enough) what they want, or ask the parents what would be most useful if not. Or give money or a voucher if I live a long way away from them.

If there's a lot of you, and none of you are sure of what to buy, though, I think the idea of putting all the money you would've spent on gifts together and giving it to the child as a present would be a really nice idea!

BlueSD

Personally, I'd love it if the parents clubbed together and got my 2 vouchers/gift card - BUT my youngest, in particular, might feel he was being hard done by if he didn't get a pile of presents from his friends.

I'm one for re-gifting and always try to ask the parents if their child has a particular interest or like when buying for others. Gift cards work well as often what they'd like is way more than I want to spend, but a number of them would cover the cost easily.

Guess it depends on the age of the child as much as anything else.

HTH!

BlueSD

savingmonkey

I think my children (just turned 3 and 5) would have been disappointed to get a voucher rather than a present from their friends at their party. My 5 year old takes great pride in saying who bought her what for her birthday. They both had small parties though, I have been to parties where you add your gift to a pile of 30 and the parents seem to be panicking about what they are going to do with so many toys!! My daughters also like picking out a present for their friends (from my cupboard stash bought in sales), wrapping it and giving it so I think they would find it odd to not do this.

For an older child, I think they would understand getting a voucher and knowing they could choose something or getting one larger gift they really wanted that had been clubbed together for so that could work well for older kids.

moneysavingmumofone

My DS loves getting presents and money equally (he's 8) but up until the age of 6 he would much rather a present to open. I dont mind really.

marleyboy

Playing Pass the Parcel and\or musical chairs is a good way to spread the cost of gifts for the children, not having to buy one per child (apart from a party gift bag of sweets and trinkets), makes for a fair system on a gift as well as adding entertainment in the process of who gets to win it.

ixedoc

guys- thanks for all those posts! i think it really confirms my view on this subject! thnks once again