Kids birthday present

[jrmasm]

A goldfish or beta fish in a bowl. If you buy the bowl used (the GW is usually over run with them) you can usually do this for under $10, including good. I usually get it a few days ahead of time so that I can get the fish into its water properly and all that. Then on the day of the party I lower the water level in the bowl a bit, cover it tightly with cling wrap and tie a ribbon around it. I place it carefully in a large (recycled) gift bag along with the card and a small container of fish food. It has been a hit...............P

It wouldn't be a hit at my house!

 

[kuhltiffany]

Movie passes, 1 for the child and 1 for the parent, we get the package ones that include a snack/drink, so the whole outing is covered

 

[pixiewings71]

A goldfish or beta fish in a bowl. If you buy the bowl used (the GW is usually over run with them) you can usually do this for under $10, including good. I usually get it a few days ahead of time so that I can get the fish into its water properly and all that. Then on the day of the party I lower the water level in the bowl a bit, cover it tightly with cling wrap and tie a ribbon around it. I place it carefully in a large (recycled) gift bag along with the card and a small container of fish food. It has been a hit...............P

Please stop gifting fish. People don't love it, they may oooh and aaaah over the fish at the time but most of the time the fish just die. A fish is a pet, a pet is something that should be picked by the family, a Betta isn't as easy to take care of as people think. I've had them, I love them, I have 3 fish tanks right now, none are Betta tanks. I consider getting one and then decide I don't have the time to care for it properly. IMO this is akin to giving a kitten, puppy, hamster, etc, this gift would not make me happy nor would any of our friends appreciate it either.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Ds received a fish as a gift one party. I was not trilled but he was so it was ok.
We try to keep a gift closet for birthday party gifts as well as other gift needs. If its a special friend, we pick out something we know they are into such as skylanders. If its a classmate, we choose something out of the closet. It often contains great buys from black friday sales (often board games), target toys clearance items, and other great buys I find though out the year. Kid often get a 20.00 gift for 5.00 or so. One year we ran across some clearance Lego sets (a rare find) and we loaded up and kids loved them. I also buy the character themed holiday wrapping paper that looks NOTHING like holiday paper so gift giving is affordable. Some years inviting all the class children to parties seems to be the trend and its a fun way for kids to socialize and expand friendships and I don't want to limit his party going to just kids he knows well, but neither do I want to go broke buying gifts so just planning ahead helps a ton!

 

[smitch425]

It wouldn't be a hit at my house!

Mine either! I would never give someone a pet for a gift. Especially something that could easily die. "Happy birthday, Johnny. Have this temporary pet. I'm sure your parents won't mind taking care of it while it lasts."

A sweet intent, but not practical for most people.

 

[dprincessmom]

We try to keep a gift closet for birthday party gifts as well as other gift needs. If its a special friend, we pick out something we know they are into such as skylanders. If its a classmate, we choose something out of the closet.

My husband jokes about our "prize closet" but he has no idea how much money we have saved in those last minute birthday needs. I try to keep birthday gifts for both boys and girls; baby shower gifts, dirty Santa, etc.

I try and match the item in our closet to things my daughter is interested in. This seems to work great. Stocking up on a variety of things, lets her pick what to give her friends, but is great for me because unless it is one of our best friends we are all set.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Hexbug, art supplies, Lego minifigures encyclopedia/book, super soakers (always give 2), spy gear, earrings/necklace, gyroscope -- I buy these for kids I know & love too

 

[wallawallakids]

Please stop gifting fish. People don't love it, they may oooh and aaaah over the fish at the time but most of the time the fish just die. A fish is a pet, a pet is something that should be picked by the family, a Betta isn't as easy to take care of as people think. I've had them, I love them, I have 3 fish tanks right now, none are Betta tanks. I consider getting one and then decide I don't have the time to care for it properly. IMO this is akin to giving a kitten, puppy, hamster, etc, this gift would not make me happy nor would any of our friends appreciate it either.

Agree!!

My DD just got one for her birthday this year from a friend. It wouldn't be half bad except we have cats!! And it has been impossible to keep them from the fish. (Locking them out of DD's room isn't going to work bc she likes to sleep with them, but she also doesn't want the fish out of her room!!) It has resulted in a lot of fights and we really didn't need another pet. Even if it is just a fish. It is another thing for me to clean, remember to feed, find someone to take care of while we are on vacation in a few weeks. It was thoughtful of her friend, but also a huge inconvenience. DD is happy, but she won't be when he dies and we already lost one pet this year and she was devastated. (Part of the reason she now HAS to sleep with the cat). In all it does akin to giving a kitten, puppy, hamster like PP said. I would make sure to ask the recipients mother before doing it next time. That way they can be sure they really want another "pet".