A present for a children’s party: budget, age and what always works

The invitation is on the fridge, the party is on Saturday, and the present is for a child you barely know. It is one of the presents you buy most often, and one of the least thought through. Three questions settle it in ten minutes.

How much? Just ask

In many classes the parents agree an amount between them, so that no child turns up with a parcel that is too big or too small. If there is no such agreement, ask in the class parents’ group what is usual. It is mostly a modest amount, and then the Under € 10 and € 10 – € 20 bands are the quickest way to a list that fits.

For what age? The birthday child’s

It sounds obvious, but it often goes wrong: parents pick something their own child likes. For a classmate the difference is small, but for a cousin’s party or the girl next door it soon becomes a few years. Choose by the birthday child’s age and combine it with the budget; Find a gift does that in two questions.

What nearly always works

For a child you do not know well, presents that are easy to get into are the best bet. A card game or a small board game that can go on the table as soon as the party is over. A complete craft kit, so nothing extra needs buying. A puzzle that suits the age. Or something for outdoors, such as a ball or a kite, for the ones who cannot sit still.

What works less well: a piece from a series the child already collects. The chances are it is already on the shelf, and the birthday child’s parents know that better than you do. A toy that needs batteries? Put them in the parcel, or choose something without.

Wrap it, add a card, done

A card with the name of the child giving the present helps the birthday child’s parents with the thank-yous afterwards: after a party with ten parcels, nobody remembers who brought what. And if you want to be sure an exchange is possible when the child gets the same thing twice, check the conditions on the returns page first.