Birthday gift giving

I don't either unless the child is a good friend or neighbor. We would all probably go broke if we bought gifts for every child who invited us to a bday party. Between four kids in grades 3rd and down it seems there is a party every week, sometimes two!

I would say no unless it's a good friend of your childs.

" just my Opinion"

I don't unless its family or a very close friend. My daughters have never received a present from a casual friend that didn't attend.

We only give if we go to the party or if the child is a very good friend of my childs. And of course we always give to family no matter what.

I have 4 kids (ages 4-16) and we often have at least a birthday party a weekend to attend. I NEVER turn down an invitation if it can be helped. If that child thought enough of my child to invite them to their party (sometimes at a significant cost when held at various venues) we move mountains to attend.

To combat the gift giving dilema I shop clearance tables. If I find an item my kids would like I buy several and keep them on hand in the gift closet (I usually pre-wrap as well and put a sticky note on the outside detailing what the gift is and appropriate gender and age). I pick up great gifts for around $5!

If we have to decline an invitation I was always taught that manners dictate a small token and card. In this case because of my gift closet stash I usually give the gift that would have gone to the party. Otherwise a birthday card and small token such as icecream gift certificates is appropriate.

I don't give gifts if my kids don't attend the party. If they are close friends, we usually go to the party.

I do like the idea of giving the child a card for their birthday. It seems like a nice thing to do.

Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.

When I was younger about 5 or 6 I used to make my friends crowns for their birthdays out of paper, tape, markers, glitter, glue anything. We didn't have a lot in those days, but I stole the idea from Burger King when they used to give out the crowns.

Lisa - Mom to her spunky little Scarlette

I agree with your rule of thumb. No gift unless it's someone really close.

I would say no. It seems that kids get so much stuff on their birthday anyway. A card might be nice as kids love to get things in the mail.

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azpond is a discussion leader for arizonamoms and mother of two.

Thanks all - I like the card idea.

Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 6 and 2.