I don’t bring birthday presents to kid’s parties – my genius idea saves everyone money & each child takes something home
KIDS parties are all fun and games when you’re younger, but parents know all too well that the cost of attending them can add up over the year.
Gifting money or a voucher is another option some parents opt for, but where’s the fun in that?
It’s something Katrina Donham was left pondering after her own daughter received piles of gifts for her first birthday, leaving no space in her home for them all.
“As I sat in our living room, staring at the mountain of new items in an overstimulated stupor, I realized that I had now been tasked with organising and finding a place for all her new gifts,” she wrote in her article for Business Insider.
The feeling of having to sort through the mountains of gifts was overwhelming for the mum, and there were way too many toys for just one child.
That’s when the mum came up with a clever idea which meant parents could save money, her home would be clogged with too many toys, and every kid can leave the party with something.
She explained that she would directly ask other parents not to bring any gifts for her daughter.
“Instead, I would pick an item category, like books, and ask invitees to select a book from their own home collection to bring as a gift.
“They could help their kids pick out the book or choose one to bring they felt their child wouldn’t miss,” she added.
Not only that, but the mum said he would encourage parents to reuse gift bags, wrapping paper and any tags and ribbon used to wrap them, to help further cut costs and reduce waste.
Katrina said she’d then set up an “exchange table” where partygoers could leave their offerings and pick something to take home, if they like.
The mum said she’d also add her own selection of pre-loved books to ensure there was plenty of choice.
Katrina says she would set up an “exchange table” where partygoers could place their offerings and also choose a different gift to take home instead of a party bag.
She would add a selection of pre-loved books to the table to make sure no one would miss out.
Not only is her hack great for the environment, but it means that partygoers get a little something extra, beyond a slice of cake.
“I also want my children to independently choose among their treasures and let go of something that might spark another’s joy, which will hopefully spark their own joy, too,” she said.
Average kid's birthday cost for parents
According to a new study from the UK’s leading money-saving brand, Voucher Cloud, has revealed that over two thirds of British parents throw their children a birthday party every single year - and the costs can be high.
- Average spend on party – £320.50
- Average spend on presents – £175.80