I’ve had this post on my mind for so long now!  Since we usually hit up at least one kids birthday party every weekend, I’m always on the hunt for a thoughtful little something.

I had a few questions surrounding birthday party gifts for kids, and wanted to address those before I dive into the gift ideas.  While I’m not an etiquette expert, by any means, I do like to hang on to some of the traditional etiquette and mix in some that makes sense for today.

What do you do when the invite says “no gifts”… but you don’t want to be the only one without a gift?  I posted about doing a “no gift” party or possibly a donation of a baby item for a shelter instead of a gift that we could then all drop off, in the Southern Mama Guide FB group a few years ago, and while some had done just that, lots of people felt strongly that it was not following etiquette.  The mention of a gift on an invite at all, is technically not “proper”.  But honestly, you do you- who cares in the end.  I will say that there are good things that come out of having your child help you pick out a present, wrapping it together, and writing their friends card.  Mostly, that they are thinking about that other person critically and it is teaching thoughtfulness.

… so getting back to the question – what do you i when it says “no gifts” but I don’t want to be the only one without a gift?   We still give a card, write a nice note, and put ribbon around a crayola water color set.  Those are $1, and it’s an easy little something that they’ll use anyway.  I just for some reason can’t show up empty handed!  I’m sorry moms!

I had someone write that they always feel like a jerk because they honor the “no gifts” … and really, don’t.  I think most of the time the parent is just trying to make it easy on all of us!   That was my thinking behind it when I wanted to do it.

To people that say it’s too much excess … I can agree with that, especially in America.  But I also think the other side of that is having your child recognize that someone picked it out for them, and then writing thank you notes.

What do you do for cards?  I always buy Trader Joes cards in bulk – I just pick out all of the ones I love and throw them in my cart.  They are $1, and so many cute designs perfect for kids.  I top it off with a cute enclosure cards by katie corley art with my boys names on it.  I probably have 30 TJ cards right now.  My kids also usually draw them something.  Enclosure cards are also such a nice touch though and I’m giving away over on instagram today (:

Appropriate price range?  I have done anywhere between $10 – $100.  But the pricey ones are generally reserved for godchildren.  I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes I go overboard, but gift giving is my love language.

Should you invite the whole class?  I have always invited the whole class because I have anxiety about leaving someone out.  Even though I invite the whole class I still wonder did everyone get their invite?  did it go through?  did the invite ever make it?  haha.  You totally DO NOT have to invite the whole class.  My mom always did however old we were was how many people we invited to our party.  I will probably do that as they get older.  But my tuck is such a social butterfly that I know it will be hard for him to narrow down.  Probably by graduation we will be holding it at a civic center.  kidding, I hope!

One year olds:

1.  The Wonderful things you will be – just the sweetest book!  My boys both still love that book.
2. Sand set – perfect for a summer bday, and under $10.
3. wooden cars set
4. peekaboo elephant
5. water and lightning pebbles – fun for balancing
6. janod duck stacker

Two year olds:

1.  Grimm’s water puzzle.  all Grimm toys are pretty awesome.
2. Jesus Calling for little ones
3. Here fishy fishy game – magnetic fishing game
4. This plan toy tuk tuk is the cutest.
5. Janod wooden alphabet puzzle
6. narwhal float

Three year olds:

1.  Carolle Baby dolls.  just the best in my opinion!
2. picasso tiles makes every list for me... they are fun for the whole fam.  I’ve given them as young as one (but told the parents to stick with bigger shapes)
3. Butterfly kit.  this is my favorite gift to give.  you do need to order them that week though.
4. bling20 goggles.  they have the cutest goggles ever.  Another good gift for summer birthdays.
5. Target has so many cute floats now by the brand “sun squad” I love this rainbow star one.
6. Beaufort bonnet aprons with watercolor set (I love the kid made modern you can find at target) or pair it with some cute baking accessories.  For a less expensive option you could get the adorable Honey Bee Tees aprons (free shipping with code TUCKERBAFS)

Four year olds:

1.  Yeti in my spaghetti is our favorite game to play as a family.
2. Umbro soccer ball.  iconic, active, and inexpensive birthday gift.
3. Golf clubs 
4. building block fortress
5. Vet Set

Five year olds:

1.  Bruder trucks.  are legit!
2. For an easy gift, I love to restock art supplies.  kid made modern is always the way I go.
3. Press here: My kids love the book and love the game even more.
4. A beautiful tea set by Tricia Lowenfield.  You can personalize it !  this is truly an heirloom gift.
5. Love does book – just the best ever!
6. Fishing pole set

If you are still stuck, this post about my favorite books to give and this post about kids toys will help!

A few tips:

1.  One thing that has helped me plan for it, is always trying to purchase the gift the day the invite rolls in.  Sometimes I try to go on theme based on the invite.  And sometimes I just go off book (:
2. A nicely wrapped gift goes a long way and makes it so fun for kids to unwrap.
3. Get your stash going – gift wrap, bows, trader joes cards, enclosure cards … I stock up on all of that on clearance when I spy something cute.  I also recently had minted make some wrapping paper with the boys faces on it – and it’s so cute!

What’s your go to birthday party gift?  I would love to know!  and hope this has been helpful.  Everything but a few items are amazon prime-able (: