CHILDREN’S parties are fun and games for young children, but parents know all too well that the costs of such a party can quickly add up over the course of the year.
Some parents also choose to give money or a voucher as a gift, but what’s so fun about that?
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It’s something Katrina Donham thought about after her own daughter received piles of presents for her first birthday, leaving her house without room for everything.
“As I sat in our living room, staring at the mountain of new stuff in an overstimulated daze, I realized that I had now been tasked with organizing and finding a place for all of her new gifts,” she wrote in her article for Company Initiate.
For the mother, it was an overwhelming feeling to have to search through the mountains of presents. There were also far too many toys for just one child.
Then the mother came up with a clever idea that would save parents money, clutter her house with too many toys, and allow each child to go home from the party with something different.
She explained that she would directly ask other parents not to bring gifts for her daughter.
“Instead, I would choose a category, such as books, and ask guests to choose a book from their own collection to bring as a gift.
“They could help their children choose the book or bring one they thought their child wouldn’t miss,” she added.
In addition, the mother said he would encourage parents to reuse gift bags, wrapping paper and any tags or ribbons used to wrap the gifts, further reducing costs and waste.
Katrina said she would then set up a “swap table” where partygoers could leave their offerings and, if they wished, pick something to take home.
The mother said she would also add her own selection of second-hand books so that there would be plenty of choice.
Katrina says she would set up a “swap table” where partygoers can leave their gifts and also choose another gift to take home instead of a party bag.
She put some second-hand books on the table so that no one would miss one.
Not only is her trick good for the environment, it also means partygoers get a little something extra, besides a slice of cake.
“I also want my children to independently choose from their treasures and let go of something that can spark someone else’s joy, which will hopefully spark their own joy as well,” she said.
Average cost of a children’s birthday for parents
New research from Voucher Cloud, the UK’s leading money-saving brand, has revealed that more than two-thirds of British parents throw their children a birthday party every year, and the costs can be high.
- Average party spend – £320.50
- Average spend on gifts – £175.80
