My daughter has been invited to two birthday parties in the next week. Today my daughter asked me if we could go shopping for the party presents. I wish I could but right now I no money to spend on presents. I don't know what to tell dd and I know she really wants to go to the party. What do I do if I can't afford to send a gift? I don't want to tell dd that she can't go to the party:cry:
wildeyes
09-21-2008, 09:33 AM
how close are you to the mother??? i would call and just say that you cant do a present, but maybe there is something she can suggest?? i know my (almost) 7 yr old LOVES cards and handmade things, maybe one (or better yet both) of these b-day girls would like something like that... craft paint is super cheap, like maybe 70-80 cents a color, and you could go to the dollar store and get something cute to paint. one of the dollar stores in my area have pretty wooden plaques with hangers built in, that can be painted. you could do both girls for 10 or well under.
titania
09-21-2008, 09:34 AM
you and she can make something together. playdoh comes to mind. or finger paint. tons of recipes online. if you can afford it, target (and im sure other stores) sell empty canisters that would be great for putting them in.
get some felted wool (think coats at the thrift store) you might be able to make some felt food.
wool roving is good for making little fairy babies using acorns, or other found things in nature. i can try and find you some links when i get a chance. sick kid coming...
saongiri
09-21-2008, 09:46 AM
I have made felt crowns for the last few parties I've been to. Kids really like them and you can buy felt for 29 cents a sheet- you really only need 2 sheets. I also have made "magic wands" with a wooden dowel-10 cents at the craft store and ribbon or yarn.
You can also check out the dollar store. We also make our cards.
angbaby1
09-21-2008, 10:01 AM
:bumpsign: great ideas!
starsandlollipops
09-21-2008, 10:04 AM
Can you make a gift, or have your DD make something? .. could you afford the dollar store? I would encourage her to make something for her friend. That would be fun for her, and different.
ETA- didn't read the other replies, sorry :)
Cristina
09-21-2008, 10:19 AM
If you sew or crotchet or knit you can make the girls little purses. Or sew up some bean bags. I think it is better to make something (even if it is small) and wrap it up nicely than to send her empty handed. You should definitely send her to the parties. :thumbsup:
*Katherine*
09-21-2008, 10:21 AM
Tutus are super easy to make and I don't know any little girl that doesn't like them!
wildeyes
09-21-2008, 11:16 AM
i asked my almost 7rd old what she could make, and she said a puzzle, or a crown or a scarf if it was winter. (shes learning how to knit lol) and then she said a special picture of them playing in her friends backyard,
she said she would like to teach the girl how to knit lol... then she got aggravated with me lol
Zabibaby
09-21-2008, 11:20 AM
wow mamas you sure have great ideas!!!
I would have posted this thread if it was my situation and none of those would have come to mind... and I can sew and crochet...
asteiner18
09-21-2008, 11:22 AM
those are some great ideas!!!!
Janiceandscott
09-21-2008, 11:44 AM
Thanks mams!:goodvibes: All of you had great ideas and made me feel so much better.
Michelle8903
09-21-2008, 12:11 PM
Right now Target has some of there Dollar Spot stuff and school supplies things 75% off (at least the one by me does). The marked down dollar spot stuff you can get for a quarter. I think when they're young they pretty much like anything. Get a coloring book and some crayons and call it a day!
Samandy
09-21-2008, 12:13 PM
Good luck!! :goodvibes:
reesesmom
09-21-2008, 02:07 PM
Homemade playdough is a great idea . . . and if you have peppermint or vanilla you can make it smell good too! add in glitter too! put it in a ziploc container, slap a bow and card on it and you are on your way :)
my fave is to make it black (or dark blue) and add in colored glitter - i call it night dough :)
Terra
09-21-2008, 02:08 PM
I love all these ideas!!
How about a "coupon" for a movie sleepover complete with popcorn and favorite movies??
The dollar store does have great gifts!! You could make up a little "bubble bath basket" for you young girl. They have cute little girl things like that!! You could spend $10 total and get two great gifts!!
luvsviola
09-21-2008, 08:34 PM
I was thinking along the lines of the PP...how about a "gift certificate" to take the girls for a picnic lunch at the park? The mom would love you, and the girls would have a blast.
jmred
09-22-2008, 06:35 AM
You could also burn a cd with the girls favorite music, that doesn't cost hardly anything. My 8 year old loves Hannah Montana, that would be some good music to put on there. I agree with the pp about the dollar store, they have tons of great gifts there!
yoopers
09-22-2008, 09:58 AM
The backtoschool supply cleareance sales have been great. I got my preschooler some spiral notebooks for 10 cents each and crayons for 30 cents at Target.
4xMommy
09-22-2008, 11:03 AM
I don't know how old the birthday girls are, but what about a coupon book? Something like a coupon for your DD to walk their dog, or scoop the cat box, do a few of the bday girl's chores or something like that?
I also really like the Gift Certificate for a sleepover movie night...that's cute...you could print something really cute right off the computer...
kaspears17
09-22-2008, 12:49 PM
What great ideas. I'm totally stealing some of them for a b-day party DS has this weekend. Thanks!
