Who's right? Me or Hubby???

[McCord6]

My DS's birthday is on the 3rd of January and we too don't spend much on his birthday but we still do buy him at least 1 gift but we give him a choice. We take him to the dollar store and have him pick out something he wants from there.

 

[al6517]

Buy her a gift also, Hubby is right !!!!.

AL

 

[Katy]

I think that a 6 year old needs a present from Mom & Dad.

If she was older she'd understand better the "party is your gift" idea but I don't think a 6 year old will understand.

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
Hubby is right.

Buy the gift too.

 

[PotterWatch]

We have done parties that have been the gift. Frankly with all the stuff my kids got from their friends, they didn't even notice that we hadn't gotten a gift in addition to the party. My boys are 7 and 9 right now, so we have done this at the age of six and lower.

ETA: We didn't do this because their birthdays were close to holidays or anything. Just what worked out for us.

ETA again: I just asked my kids if they ever felt like they should have recieved a gift but didn't. They both said... "I thought we always got one!". So they never noticed it when they didn't get a gift in addition to their party.

 

[PineappleMama]

Ohhhh, just thought of something to add.

Typically if I can't afford ANYTHING (not likely I'm good at bargain hunting) then I usually feel bad sending my child to the party... like a moocher... that is TOTALLY just me I'm sure, I have issues I know. Oddly it doesn't bother me in the least if peeps come to our party but don't bring a gift... isn't that strange? But, that side note got me thinking...

With the economy as it is, a lot of households are struggling... and I'm sure at least one kid somewhere is attending a party but not able to bring a gift... well, it would be awful for you to go to all this trouble to do this big nice party and then when it comes time for presents there are only a couple... from the kids who could afford it... well maybe not awful, but a bit anti-climactic anyways... that's another good reason to buy little things... I LOVE the idea about bubble bath and outfit posted earlier... things like that that you know she will use and like... that's not so much a present as it is a future... but it's still a nice little something to open.

My 7 year old loves art supplies, so we always mention those if folks ask for ideas... even a small $1 pack of crayons or markers from the dollar store make her smile. Here lately she's been making noise about wanting to sew, so packs of thread or easy/kid patterns (like a pillow maybe)... things like that just keep giving... they learn a skill and can make things for others which I just loved as a kid and still do... so that's another idear.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I absolutely agree that presents do not have to be expensive. I personally love books for kids and things that are USABLE: art supplies are an excellent example.

 

[PineappleMama]

Oh, now how did I forget books... I am bibliophile hear me roar!

Dotter is getting Velvetine Rabbit for Christmas (isn't that just a great story) and our son is getting the Narnia Series. Hubby is getting the latest Jordan (first of three final books good grief but it's the longest frickin' series in the world and still not done yet ARGH!)

I asked for B&N, Amazon, Ebay or Half Price Books (far and away my favorite) for Christmas.

So... yeah... Books are definitely a good one...

 

[Paraclete 2]

Come on Pleeeeeeeeeeze, get the child a gift, don't be a tightwad. Sorry Hubby's right. Us guy's are tough to handle huh. LOL.

 

[CTChick]

For my kids, the party WAS the gift. Stick to your guns. As they get older, the parties get more expensive ...
Laura