Birthday presents on the cheap

[aircantu1]

We have 3 birthday parties to go to the next 2 weekends...all girls, turning 3, 4 & 5. I really don't get into the birthday party thing and always skip parties of people we don't know very well (kids at preschool, etc...) because it gets really expensive and time consuming to go to every party my kids are invited to. But these are all close family members who happen to also have very close birthdays so I can't really skip these.

I'm just about to hit submit on a pretty big debt snowball payment -- I'd much rather that money go to our very last debt than to a birthday gift...so I'd love some ideas to save money on the gifts.

[arahzel]

I don't know what kind of suggestions you are looking for, but I spent $60 at Big Lots, and have a lot of my Christmas shopping done. They are having a major clearance right now to get rid of stock. I bought some board games, curtains, two comforters, a couple of vases, picture frames, slippers, clocks, computer games, and (6) Wiggles DVDs for dd ($4 each!).

Now is a great time to shop because stores are clearing out to make room for Christmas stock.

Good luck!

[aircantu1]

Oh, $4 Wiggles DVDs would be good. I'll check out Big Lots tomorrow -- there's one right down the street from us. Thanks!

[BrooklynDoula]

Other options:

A Cookie set -- mix up the dry ingredients for some type of yummy cookies and write out what needs to be added. If you sew, you can make a kids sized apron to go with it.

Fabric Sacks -- the best gift I ever gave was to a yoga teachers son. We showed up at the party with 10 huge sacks that I sewed out of fabric from freecycle. All the kids were climbing i them and hopping around, pulling each other for rides, and laughing like crazy. She actually asked if they could get me to make 30 more for his school

Bean Bags -- again for sewing, you can buy super cheap beans and make cool shaped and sized of bean bags. They can be great fun tossing into a bowl, juggling with two, or if you do wood work, perhaps make a target even to send them through

[katheek77]

Oddly enough, I was going to suggest the cookie thing as well.

What about an invite for all three kids to a "sleepover" where you rent an age-appropirate movie, maybe make some pizza with them and your kids, and play some games...I bet both kids and mom would enjoy this...if someone's not comfortable with an overnight, perhaps an afternoon of the same?

[amydawnsmommy]

Since my dh does not understand my need to give presents and constantly complains about it I've learned to buy gifts ahead of time on sale as I see them.

To make it simpler, especially at Christmas, all the children of a certain age or gender get the same gift as long as they are not from the same family.

I've been able to buy Scholastic books for $2 each, Christmas videos for less than $1 each and even princess costumes (non-Disney which is what I prefer) for $5 each. I watch the clearance sales and stock up as needed.
This is how I've been able to create exciting and different loot bags for Hope's birthday parties without spending $10 per child on that alone.

[boogiemonster]

I've been thinking about this lately...

What about:

-a helium balloon from the dollar store
-one of those books where you can use the b-day kid's name as the main character's name...I think they're downloadable now, so it would only be the cost of printing
-I've found kids' books at used bookstores that are in perfect condition
-kid art is pretty darn cute framed...

Just some thoughts.

[sarasprings]

If you can sew, capes are relatively easy to make. With a coupon from the paper, you could get fabric at JoAnns for a decent price.

[Lilcrunchie]

nak-
depending on age, you could print up a "menu" or 2 on the computer, affix to red cardstock, construction paper, etc. Laminate it, or not. Gift w/ waitress/waiter notepad (from office supply store) or small spiral notebook? Could make a little red/white checkered tablecloth to go w/ it, or add a chef hat, etc.

AC Moore and Michaels 40% off coupons. Our stores carry feather boas (10ish before discount), fairy wings, simple tutus (can also make your own no-sew tutu; again, use coupon to make roll of tulle cheaper), child-sized aprons, child tees, fabric markers, knockoff do-a-dot markers, chef hats, child-sized tote bags, play doh, etc. IMO, all nice bday gifts, and all pretty affordable w/ a 40% off coupon.

[ediesmom]

one year I made doll kits for all the girls.
-wooden clothes pins (not spring loaded)
-embroidery floss for hair
-calico squares for clothes
-a marker for faces
-inexpensive glue
-inexpensive scissors
I put all this in a plastic 'lunch box' 4 for a buck at Michaels

the girls loved them!

[Belleweather]

Playsilks seem to be really big with kids that age... They're used for all sorts of pretend play as capes and dresses and water and banners and 'food' in cooking pots and anything else a little kid's imagination can dream up.

If you order the blank silks from www.dharmatrading.com (They're the Habotai scarves, in the 30x30 size), they're only $2.50 a piece, and they can be dyed bright colors with store-bought kool aid packets and vinegar, which is cheap and super easy. They're my favorite thing to give as kid birthday presents.

[cdahlgrd]

I like to pick up cheap purses, necklaces and jewelry, scarves, etc. at garage sales or second hand stores. Then you can pack up a purse with a few other pieces and "Ta da" you are done.

We have also made cards and put money on them in shapes (a big smiley face out of pennies, and quarters). The older kids lik that!

Kids have liked getting tops. I get nice little wooden ones or the bright light-up ones and kids think they are wonderful (adults like them too).

One mom made my ds a little pillow. He loves it and has had it on his bed for about 4years now. (she just made a cover using polar fleece).

A new package of playdough!!

[MissMommyNiceNice]

I work in an office, and they often just mail the inkjet cartridges back to the manufacturer to be recycled, but if you collect them, you can get $3 each for them at office max w/ a 5 cartridge maximum. NOrmally, I just use them to buy new ink for my home photo printer, but I saw they have little girl "chemistry" sets for $15. One was like make your own perfume, make your own bubble bath, etc...I was going to get one for our niece for Christmas. But she's older, but you can probably find something there for the girls. FWIW.

[mightymoo]

I just stocked up for this year. Kohl's had 40% off playdoh stuff, I found a cute playdoh "breakfast" set - the kids can make playdoh waffles and eggs and stuff - a little different from what I've normally seen, so hopefully won't be duplicating something they already have. Retail $20, 40% off, and I had a 15% off coupon, tax, etc ended up costing me $10.70 each - but yet is a substantial feeling gift. I actually added another set of 12 small playdoh tubs for another $4.27. So for under $15 I have some pretty decent sized gifts for the kids to give to friends. I pick this stuff up when I see it on sale so I have it on hand and don't need to worry about it later. I'll wrap it and store it so I can just grab it and go.

[amydawnsmommy]

Originally Posted by mightymoo

I just stocked up for this year. Kohl's had 40% off playdoh stuff, I found a cute playdoh "breakfast" set - the kids can make playdoh waffles and eggs and stuff .

Sounds like a great gift! I love giving gifts that are creative and different. Original and fun too.

[Fiercemama]

When DD turned 2, her auntie brought her a bunch of helium balloons as her gift. So simple, and it was her absolute favourite thing of the day, and for days afterward. We've taken this to other kids' parties too, and its always been a big hit.