Bday budgets?

[MKCP5]

How many of you shut down the birthday party party invites? I am feeling overwhelmed by the number of parties my DD (14) and DS (16) (mostly DD) get invited to. I am glad she is invited, and they are nice girls who invite her, but it's really starting the drain the $$$ out of me. I don't want her to say no because of the gift expense, but I am unhappy with the extra expense

 

[Justsyd2]

I never told my kids that they couldn't go. Can you budget for this so that your kids can still attend? Can you shop sales and use coupons? I feel that it's good for the kids to attend parties...they get to socialize, experience new things, have some treats, and spend time with their friends...while someone else does the clean up.

 

[ceecee]

I'm surprised at that age they are still having parties. DD usually just has 2 or 3 best friends for a sleepover and dinner out. This is typical with most of her friends as well. She only went to 4 parties so far this year that I can think of and she has 2 more planned for the summer.

 

[tinkarooni]

Ugg, I was hoping that parties slowed down as they got older. I too am glad that the kids get invited, and they have a good time but it is a bit of a drain $$ not to mention coming up with good ideas. I agree, sales, coupons, keeing an eye out for deals is the way to go.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

My dd's haven't been invited to too many parties but if it did get out of hand I would put a limit to how many they could go to, like 6 each in a year.
We normally give $15 but $20 to a close friend.

 

[DeniseinNS]

My kids attend most parties they are invited to, unless we have something else going on that day or if it's for someone that they are just casual aquaintences with and not actually friends. I pick up stuff when I see good sales and put it aside for when parties come up.

 

[brymolmom]

I don't think I've seen this one mentioned, how about having her buy the gifts? Or at least every other one or some other deal? She's old enough to be earning her own money!

 

[mjkacmom]

Dd13 and her friends all seem to give each other $25 for birthdays. I guess it all equals out in the end! However, I have told the girls that the moms should get their dd's birthday money when the time comes around.

 

[PA Princess]

My two older boys are similar ages to your kids (14 and 15) and they get frequent party invites, but truthfully around here it seems most kids say no presents for parties that are for birthdays.

Occasionally they will take something, but it is usually something small or a funny kind of gift...not budget busters by any means.

Plus, more often than not the parties or get togethers are not for birthdays. My guys get a ton of just because invites...gotta love facebook.

In fact just the other day we had 35 teens show up at our house at 8 pm - dh and I were like, what is going on? Turns out the oldest issued an open invite to come play capture the flag in the woods and field behind our home.

We were stunned by the number of kids who showed up and not one lived in our development and most were dropped off and picked up by parents at 8pm and 10:30pm on a Thursday!

 

[Perditamarie]

I think you can definately do a budget friendly gift. My goal for bday parties is around $10 w/o it looking cheap!! The younger the kid, the easier it is...love those AC Moore and Michaels coupons. For teens an I tunes gift card and lipgloss (or beef jerkey for boys!!) would be good and also be inexpensive to wrap!!

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I'd take a 40% off Michaels or ac Moore coupon & buy some type of craft kit or something. They sell all kind of things there!

 

[MKCP5]

It used to be alot easier to buy the inexpensive things and tuck them away for whoever had a party. Now DS is going to girls sweet 16's --all the kids are invited, and also to a bunch of graduations as he is freinds with some of the older kids! and DD just has alot of friends! We're past the age of craft kits, the $10 itunes cards sound good.............all ideas are appreciated

thanks!

 

[Donnainnj]

I told DD 17 last year that she now has to split the cost of any gifts. Makes her a little more careful in what she she wants to give. When the kids have to pay, many of them find stuff at 5 Below.
Donna

 

[branv]

I remember as a teen us doing simple but fun things for each other as gifts: candy signs or candy cakes (yes, even as teens), boxes of their favorite things (snacks, fun pens/toys that aren't too childish, etc), decorate each others rooms/lockers/cars, etc. If regular gifts are too $$ but the kids are too embarrassed AT the party when everyone else is handing over a regular wrapped item, have them make something for them like a tin of cookies and give it to them the day before the party. One big thing was finding in your collection or taking a picture of the bday person, especially ones with friends, and putting them in a fun frame.

I also think it's time for them to fund part of the gift if it's that important to them -- though you could help them by paying them to do more things to do around the house than is normally their responsibility.

One thing for your DD to do would be to make jewelry for her friends. I once made a great necklace I still get compliments on that was actually a purse charm I found on sale for about $3 at Target. I just removed the big hook, added a chain and necklace hook from Hobby Lobby. All told the thing cost me about $6, and I still have enough supplies for about 2 more necklaces. I know all the hobby stores now have tons of necklace and bracelet pendants for very cheap that still look great. If I, who am all thumbs and pretty much is limited to a pair of scissors and needle nosed pliers, can do this, your DD could definitely. And I regularly see really cute (well, it's hit or miss) jewelry on MAJOR sale at Kohls. A few months ago I bought about 3 earrings and 2 necklaces for about $15. Just remove it from the backing and put it in a pretty box.