Invited to B-day Party for 4 Kids

Updated on August 14, 2012
P.S. asks from Hedgesville, WV
10 answers

Hi!

We were invited to a birthday party for 4 siblings ranging from 13-8 years old. I only know 2 of the children (they were in my Sunday School class), and my daughter said the youngest is in her class as well.

As a mother of 4 myself, with private school costs for all 4, and out of pocket college tuition for me- I don't want to seem 'cheap' but must maintain a reasonable budget in life- and yes, that includes shopping for gifts. Should I do gift cards for 2 children? All 4? How much?

Any suggestions would be great! Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! The party is 15 minutes from now...Your suggestions were wonderful. I ended up purchasing a super cute large plastic bowl from Target's dollar section(great for popcorn) I crammed in a 2 liter, boxes of candy, a family dvd, microwavable popcorn, 2 card games and a gift card to Domino's pizza..added some tissue paper for a festive look...I managed to keep it under $40 and the bowl is overflowing! Thanks again for the suggestions:)

Featured Answers

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J.F.

answers from Bloomington on

I'm with the others. Either $10 for each kid, or find something they can all use.

Maybe a basket full of movie treats (popcorn, candy, 2-liter of pop), and a new DVD? or

Some new board games for the family? Puzzles?

Tickets to an event coming up?

I wouldn't go over $40 total.

5 moms found this helpful

More Answers

L.M.

answers from Dover on

Well, I would typically say you bring a gift for the child that you were actually invited for (such as the younger one that is in your child's class) but in that case due to Sunday School, that could mean 3 of the 4 and would be like the 4th was the odd man out. Can you get them something as a group...a movie w/ gift certificate for a pizza so they can have a movie night? That way instead of spending at least 10-15 each ($40-$60 total or more) you could spend maybe $30 or so while not leaving anyone out?

5 moms found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Since you know 3 of the 4 kids, I would do a $10 gift card to each kid. So a total of $40.

3 moms found this helpful
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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

This summer my girls have been invited to a lot of birthday parties. My savior has been a sewing pattern I picked up for 50 cents or so at a fabric fair.

It was previously made by McCalls (4051/8077) but I see Simplicity 4928 makes one now. (I may have even seen it recently at Walmart...)

I've made all of their friends letter pillows with their first initial. It only takes 1/2 yard of fabric and I let the girls pick out a print that suits their friend (i.e. peace signs, soccer balls, softballs...)

I wanted to do a little more so my mom gave me this idea off of Pintrest. It is a beaded monogram letter using plain old cardboard, hot glue, and strands of Mardi Gras beads.

http://blog.mardigrasoutlet.com/2012_02_01_archive.html

3 moms found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from New York on

If the party is for all 4 kids, I think you must do a gift for each of them.

I'm with Megan -- $10 gift card for each.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.Y.

answers from Chicago on

I would do a pizza or DQ gift card for the family. One card for all kids.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.T.

answers from New York on

Well that's awkward. Did the invite have all 4 kids names on it? My daughter was invited to a sweet 16 party last year - the girl has a twin brother. The party also was for him - but since my daughter isn't really his friend, the invitation sent to her was only for the girls's sweet 16. From what I understand some people's invite was just for the boy, others for both - depending on the nature of their friendship.

This does put you in an odd situation - put I think Megan's idea below is a good one - evenly across all kids. Another option is one family gift (maybe a few friends can contribute towards girftcards to an amusement park?)

I'd be interested to hear what you decide so please tell us!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Get a gift that can be shared by everyone. At the dollar store they sell big popcorn buckets and smaller individual buckets. get one big one and a package of the smaller ones (they come in packs of 4) put in it a 2 litre bottle of pop, a package of microwave popcorn and some big movie style boxes of of candy. total so far spent about $8 add in a gift card for redbox or blockbuster or a family movie or 2 and wala a gift that everyone can enjoy.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.H.

answers from Norfolk on

when i go to a birthday partyy for more than one kid i get one big item they can share. a movie or slip and slide board gameect. in this case you could get two items one that two would enjoy and another that trhe other two would enjoy. many times two will have like enterests and the other two different interests altogether. or maybe the age difference will come in to play. good luck

D.S.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi, P.:

How about a small gift for all four such as a fruit
gift basket.
Good luck in your decision.
D.

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