Inspired by Tiggerlover - What do you give for kids' parties?

[RUDisney]

I am hard-pressed in determining what my DS or DD actually need for their birthday or holiday presents. They have a ton of toys and even more clothes.

Anyway, what I've started to do for his friends' parties is to give them a gift card to TDS or ToysRUs. At least the child and his or her parent can decide what to do with it.

So, do you think this is good, or would you prefer that your child receive cash as a gift so you can either allow him/her to buy something or to put it away for college?

What do you usually give for the parties to which your children are invited? Cash, Gift Cards, Toy, Clothing?

 

[disykat]

We usually give a toy (around $10) or maybe a character t-shirt. I think the kids enjoy remembering who gave them the gift when they play with it and my kids enjoy shopping for them.

I would give gift cards to older kids, but kind of assume that party invitations will not be common as they get older.

 

[Mishetta]

Since my DS is 7 y/o, most of his friends are around the same age group so I give what they want most....TOYS!!! Usually a $20 toy or gift card is what we give because usually the activity that they have our kids involved in will cost around $15 per child ~ so I try to compensate for what my son has cost them to be at their party. (Does that sound right?) For instance, last week he attended a classmates b-day party at this Sports Dome and the kids got to play mini-golf as well as mountain climb, add pizza & pop & that's $15 per child.

If it's a family member, then they get clothes & a smaller toy or doll.

What I'd prefer my son received of course would be money or Gift cards. He usually gets toys though!

When DS does get cash, I take it & put it in his savings account. He's already got enough $$ to buy a newer model used car. I have taken every dollar since he's received money (Christening party, b-day's, Christmas, etc..) & put it aside. He doesn't even notice the money missing & meanwhile it's growing (very slowly these days I'm afraid) but none the less, it's growing. He certainly won't miss the toys he could have bought with that money as he grows older but boy will he be thrilled once he needs it towards college, wheels or a house! Yippee!