There are a few times in life when you find yourself attending celebrations just about every weekend. In my early thirties it seemed like every Saturday I was attending an engagement party, a bridal shower or a wedding. Then a couple of years later- baby showers and sip-and-sees. Now, it seems we are in birthday party mode. If you have young kids then you are fully aware of the sheer amount of birthday parties that occupy your weekends. Don’t get me wrong- I LOVE kids’ birthday parties. Seeing the joy on kids’ faces and sharing in their excitement is priceless, but attending birthday parties can get expensive. Over the past year I have learned how to save money on kids’ birthday gifts and want to share those tips with you.
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Buy gift wrapping in bulk or on sale.
Places like Costco, Party City even World Market and Ikea are good places to find a good deal. When you see a great sale on gift bags, tissue paper, wrapping paper or ribbons- stock up.
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Don’t buy cards.
A birthday card will run about four to five dollars. A better idea (and to cut that cost) is to invest in rubber stamps, ink and cardstock or gift tags. Honestly, my kids LOVE making their friends cards. I let them use a variety of stamps and ink colors (sometimes stickers and googely eyes too!). This is a really great and inexpensive way to replace a typical birthday card. *Bonus Tip* Check out your local library for rubber stamps and ink. Some of them actually have them available FOR FREE (you would need to provide your own cardstock or gift tag)! Funny story- my husband’s 93-year-old grandmother gives each kid a $5 bill in a bank envelope and writes “Happy Birthday” on the outside. Granny knows everyone would rather have the cash than the card!
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Get Creative.
Think outside the box (or gift bag). The other day a mom told me her child was into arts and crafts when I asked about ideas for her birthday. I looked at Target and found an art set that included blank paper and paint, but it was simple, and not really what I had in mind. I bought a package of paint from Target for $2.69 and headed to Michaels’ where I purchased six canvases in different sizes for HALF of what the set cost. What kid would rather paint on blank paper over an artist’s canvas?!?! This gift was a hit!
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Price Compare.
It’s really easy and convenient to pop into one store, get everything you need and be done with it. But sometimes it pays to compare prices. Remember those paints I bought at Target for $2.69? The exact same paints were $5.99 at Michaels’.
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AMAZON.
I’m a huge fan of amazon. I’ve been a Amazon prime member since before our oldest was born. I love that I can find great, unique gifts on amazon. A few weeks ago I bought a popular kids book in Spanish for one of my son’s friends. Everyone went crazy over the book because it is not something you find in any local stores. *Bonus Tip* I ordered it from my phone, while lying in bed, two days before the party! Sometimes even the most caffeinated moms are a little bit lazy!
Hope these tips help you in your quest to purchase kids’ birthday gifts. Grab some coffee and enjoy the moment- this time will pass quickly and before you know it, bounce houses and Chuck-E-Cheese will be distant (and fond) memories!
