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Article ‘When We Get Invited To A Kid’s Party, I Don’t Buy The Kid A Present’

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36 Comments

If you’re filled with dread every time your kids hand you a party invitation, one mum says she has come up with the perfect solution. But not every parent agrees.

We all know what it’s like when we ask our kids what their friends would like for their birthday, and we’re met with shrugged shoulders. It usually results in a mad dash around the shops on the way to the party, adding to our already stressful load!

Wedding celebrant Sarah Clarke has shared her birthday party gift hack on social media, saying it helps take the pressure off parents, because every child gets the same gift.

“When we get invited to a kid’s party, I don’t but the kid a present. Instead, to save on the mental load, I get the same thing every time no matter how old they are, no matter if they’re a boy or girl,” she explained.

“I buy a voucher for them to go for a hot chocolate or cake at a local coffee shop with their parent so they can have a little date, and it’s paid for, and it means I don’t have to think of something. And if the mum or dad wants to go on their own, they’re more than welcome.”

Her video was met with more than a thousand comments, many supporting the idea.

“A mama who gets it,” one mum commented. “I would appreciate this so much because:
1. You’re not adding plastic toys into my home and eventually; landfill
2. Because you’re a switched on mama who knows how important one on one time is with your child/ren.”

Another mum agreed: “I love this! I have always thought I’d rather my kid be gifted or to gift another kid with experiences rather than materialist gifts that’s only gonna be exciting and played with for a couple months.”

But others weren’t so sure about the universal gift idea.

“So you give the child a gift that the parents just take … What a crappy gift,” commented one person.

“That’s annoying and your shifting work load to birthday kids parent,” said another.

What are your thoughts? Is this a genius idea, or not? Let us know in the comments below. 

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Comments

  • Oh wow, I LOVE this!! I think it’s a great idea – no excess waste, doubling up or unwanted presents. I love that it promotes time spent with family. I think I will be copying this :)

    Reply

  • I think this is a great idea. Promote spending time with loved ones. I can’t see how people think it’s bad.

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  • This is also a bit impersonal – doesn’t really think about the kid involved.

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  • I’m not fond of gifts that cause me extra work. It’s a bit unkind.

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  • I think this is a great idea, who doesn’t love the idea of going somewhere for a paid-for outing?
    It takes the mental load out of it for this mum and also creates a social time for the mum and child.
    Nobody should be knocking this mum for her idea.

    Reply

  • I usually ask the child’s parents for a few ideas, put money in a card or send a gift card.

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  • The gift of experience is lovely. I used to give a restaurant voucher to friends at Christmas too

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  • I think that’s great! Everyone needs to eat and kids love one on one time. There is no obligation and the kid can go with anyone!

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  • An interesting idea, but I’m not sure how well it would work if every parent had the same idea, and the child receives a lot of vouchers for a coffee date with one of their parents.

    Also, as mentioned, some parents have more than one child, and some don’t have a partner to baby-sit other children for a wide variety of reasons.

    It is also a well known fact that a significant number of gift cards received are never used.

    I’m definitely not knocking the idea, but presenting other perspectives that may be worth considering.

    Just a thought.

    Reply

  • I actually love this idea. I’m all for experiences and making memories with my kids.

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  • I like this idea. It gives the child and parents something to look forward to and helps a local business.

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  • I wish this would become the way of the future. Expectations just keep increasing, its hard.

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  • Something different but very practical.

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  • Mmmm, Not a bad idea, if the parents have time to take them. Our go to presents for kids are books. Even secondhand books can be amazing :)

    Reply

  • Im all for experiences for a child that they can enjoy

    • We also value experiences over presents that need to be stored and cleaned. Experiences are so valuable and can be so much fun too.

      • The gift of experience is lovely indeed !

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  • I really wish more people adopted this approach, we would prefer people to not spend additional money and just attend to be present for our birthday boy. We have so many unused toys as they just all get piled up and never played with after the day, even with toy rotation.

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  • If you know the birthday child well, a tangible, thoughtful gift is appropriate. If not, a generic gift or experience voucher would also be fun.

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  • When out of ideas or when we didn’t the child too well, I’ve given gift cards plenty of times, that way the kids get to choose the gift he/she desires

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  • Its a nice idea, however it may be a disappointment for some kids. They usually like the idea of receiving something e.g a toy/ book/game

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  • I don’t mind the idea at all. It is lovely to go out for coffee and cake or milkshake and cake or whatever yummy treats get chosen.

    Reply
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