Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Birthday Bonanza!


For a period of your child’s life, it will seem like every weekend you are going to a birthday party! Welcome to the Birthday Bonanza!

We just got our first birthday invitation of the year for our daughter’s friend, and the invitations will steadily continue to come until the end of the year. The practical side of me would like to go ahead and purchase a lot of the presents ahead of time this year so I am not caught scrambling at the last minute for birthday presents (much like last year.)

But how do you go about choosing the perfect birthday presents without breaking the bank? Here are some tips on making the birthday bonanza a little easier on us parents.

Stock up on gifts and start a birthday “closet.”
When you get your first birthday invitation, consider stocking up on gifts at the same time. This will eliminate the need to go out and every week and shop for birthday presents, and you’ll save money in the long run! Parents tend to grab and go when under the gun to get a present before a party, so you may spend a little more than you intended. If you shop ahead of time, this eliminates the impulse buy of a much more expensive gift. Now, when an invitation arrives, you can go “shopping” in your birthday closet and be ready to rock come birthday party time!

Set a limit on your birthday purchases.
Gauge what people spend on other kid’s presents and try to follow suit. It can make some people uncomfortable if your present if far more expensive than what they gave your child. The standard birthday gift for a child is anywhere from $10-$20.

Buy age appropriate gifts for your child’s friends.
Remember the “do onto others” rule when purchasing birthday gifts and buy age appropriate gifts that are suitable for the age of the birthday boy or girl. Also, remember what you would like your child to have, and more importantly, what you would not want your child to have, so the nosiest toy you can find or the messiest toy you can find may not be the best pick!

Don’t agonize over what gifts to purchase.
Remember that most children are not picky when it comes to toys and gifts! Find something you think the will enjoy and just go with it. You can spend hours trying to find the “perfect present” and most kids will like anything they are given!

Pure and Honest Kids has a wonderful selection of birthday gifts, all under $20! Check it out here! Enjoy all the parties and good luck weathering the Birthday Bonanza of childhood!

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