Birthday party gift?

[sherry7]

Can you all give me some opinions please?

Me and my baby girl are invited to a 1st birthday party in a few weeks. (Kid party, which will be outside weather permitting, with cupcakes.) We know the mother and birthday boy from playgroup, where we've met 5 or 6 times. The invitation said, "no need to bring a present". However, I'd feel like a complete jerk if I were the only one to show up without a gift.

I haven't been to a kid's birthday party in a long time. What dollar amount would be suitable for a present?

In case it matters, I don't live in a high cost of living area. (Just remembering all of those Long Island wedding gift posts, LOL.)

Thanks.

 

[gray2402]

I usually bring a book to any first birthday party Sandra Boynton has a book called Birthday Monsters that is always a hit! Both my kids LOVED her books! If one book does not seem 'enough', you could get a few of her books, or several classics!

 

[disneychic2]

If the invitation said no gifts, maybe you could buy something and leave it in the car to grab later if everyone else brings something. I know my grandchildren have enough books, toys, dvds etc. to fill Toys R Us and don't need anything else. Maybe the mom truly does not want gifts. If you feel you must provide a gift, I would suggest a fun bubbles toy. There are so many out right now there are lots to choose from. (I also love the Sandra Boynten books!!)

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I usually bring a book to any first birthday party Sandra Boynton has a book called Birthday Monsters that is always a hit! Both my kids LOVED her books! If one book does not seem 'enough', you could get a few of her books, or several classics!

Great idea, love her books! Anotehr idea- Kohl's does the $5 books for charity last time I looked it was Dr Seuss.

Just a funny story- my parents were at a concert and they said "we have a famous author in the audience- Sandra Boynton." It was a older crowd and people really didn't know who she was. My mom said she just wanted to yell "a cow goes moo, a sheep goes baa and 3 signing pigs say la, la, la!"

 

[disneyfreakk]

Great idea, love her books! Anotehr idea- Kohl's does the $5 books for charity last time I looked it was Dr Seuss.

Just a funny story- my parents were at a concert and they said "we have a famous author in the audience- Sandra Boynton." It was a older crowd and people really didn't know who she was. My mom said she just wanted to yell "a cow goes moo, a sheep goes baa and 3 signing pigs say la, la, la!"

That would have been AWESOME!

 

[NYEmomma]

I second Sandra Boynton and add Karen Katz. DD loves her "Where is Baby's..." books. They have one that's "Where is Baby's Birthday Cake". They're all lift-the-flap type books.

I don't know if there's anything similar in your area, but the United Disability Services here has a toy library. A friend got DD a year membership to it for her first birthday party and it was the BEST gift. We honestly didn't go for a while because she was overloaded with Christmas and birthday gifts (birthday is 12/31) but we started going the end of the spring and spent the next 6 months at least going there every 2 weeks to "check out" new toys. It was perfect because DD's attention span for one thing doesn't last too long, plus we got to try out different types of toys to see what she likes.

That aside, is there a zoo or something nearby that you could get them a one-day pass to?

 

[MSSANDRA]

For a play group friend, I think a modestly priced book is a perfect gift. A couple of board books are also perfect for this age.

With an invite that says, " no need to bring a gift" rather than "NO gifts please", I would take one just to feel better about the situation.

Sounds like this might be your first "kid" party...HAVE FUN with your little one.