With 3 birthdays just around the corner (2 being this week, the next in 3 weeks) I would like to know what you think is the average price spent on b-day gifts for children these days. My girls will be ages 6 through 11 and like all parents we want their birthday extra special, but at the same time we don't want to break the bank. What's your opinion?
wilmot-j
Monday July 05 2010 05:22:47 pm
That's a hard one. I'm lucky my girls are still so tiny and will be for a while -- I can get away with letting Josie play with cardboard boxes. My only idea is to gift an activity or special day. I don't know how much you'd typically spend but you could always do a trip (although that could add up too) or a special day where you treat them to things they'd like to do instead of buying toys. Just an idea.
sccooksey
Tuesday July 06 2010 06:29:42 pm
Over the past couple of years we have opted out of big parties and had "family" days..or little trips..you could rent a cabin (relatively cheap) for a night at a state park like seminole state park and have a "camp out" bring cupcakes..you can make them yourself and enjoy..you could even go to McClay gardens or Wakulla Springs with a picnic lunch...my son who is six..really just enjoyed the Mommy Daddy time!
Just a thought!
Sarah
Bonnie
Thursday July 08 2010 10:00:19 am
We had four girls and two boys (now grown), and they always had special birthdays even though at times funds were tight. Especially for girls, look in the craft section of Walmart and there are very reasonable kits for painting or decorative rugs or other crafts that the girls enjoy and that will help keep them busy during those long summer months. Girls also love to get clothes (thankfully) and there are lots of sales on summer clothing going on right after the 4th of July. Summer toys like outside lawn games are also on sale about now. Something you can do that is really fun but cheap it to have a treasure hunt for the girls. Hide clues (if you make them rhyme it's more fun) throughout the house, one leading to another. At the end is a treasure that eveyone could share like a basket of goodies or a puzzle to put together.
knowles-t
Saturday July 10 2010 01:13:19 am
Jeni: I miss the days when they were babies and we could get away with that too!! I'm thinking there was a certain Elmo doll wrapped up for a birthday & Christmas one year, LOL! It goes by so quick though. I can't believe my last "baby" is already 6
Sarah & Bonnie: I think I'm going to do a little of both of your suggestions. Family time, small day out followed with a treasure hunt in the neighborhood. We've never done the treasure hunt thing. I think that would go over good and be something she will remember!!
