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Gina Lincicum is a mom of three kids under 6 in suburban Washington DC. She shares strategies to impact your family budget at Moneywise Moms, where you’ll find tips on planning, shopping, and having fun on a tight budget. We are thrilled to welcome her as a Guest Party Blogger today to share some of her gift ideas for kids’ parties. The best part, under $5! Now, that’s easy-on-the-wallet.
Welcome, Gina!
My children are invited to a lot of birthday parties, but I don’t let my budget stop us from joining in the fun. Instead, I get creative with a limit of $5 per gift. Try my strategies to keep yourself on budget, too:
1) Keep a Gift Closet: All throughout the year, keep an eye out for deals on toys, books, and other gifts. Check the clearance shelves at Target, Toys R Us, and Kohl’s for big markdowns on board games and seasonal toys. If you score a good deal, buy a few and stockpile them in your gift closet for later birthdays. Earlier this year, I found board games on clearance for about $5.00, so I bought enough to get us through the round of spring birthdays.
2) Keep it Simple: Remember that especially for younger kids and toddlers, simple is enough. For a 1st Birthday gift, I give a toy boat from the dollar store or party store with a Mylar balloon tied to it. Both are bright, colorful, and exciting enough for a toddler. A big ball would also be well-received and played with often, and they run about $3.00.
3) Art Supplies: This is the perfect time of year to stock up on art supplies at back-to-school sale prices. Get what you can for $3.00-4.00, then put them into a dollar store basket. You can personalize the basket or bin with sticker letters. This is a great gift for any age child and for both boys and girls.
4) Make it Yourself: If you’re able to sew, consider making aprons, pillowcases, superhero capes or beanbags as inexpensive and unique gifts. If you’re not crafty, you can still make a handmade gift by adding an iron-on transfer to a plain tee. Choose a transfer that reflects the interest of the birthday child for a personalized touch.
5) Kids Love Clothes: All three of my kids like their shirts to have something on them–an animal, a symbol (heart, star, etc.), or a character–so we often give those as birthday gifts, often found on clearance racks at Target, Old Navy, and Kohl’s. The Children’s Place has great sales where we pick up tops for just $2.00-4.00 each. I’ve picked up pajamas for $1.99 or more on clearance shelves as well, and those are a big hit.
Sticking to my goal of $5-per-gift has not been as difficult as I thought, and I’ve even spent less on many occasions. Now that my son is 5, he’s included in brainstorming ideas for his friends as well. He has chosen many “cool” t-shirts by thinking about what the other child likes, and I am pleased that he is focused on others instead of buying what he wants.
