Gifts for Under $10 for Children

If you are a parent of a young school age child, I am sure your child is always being invited to birthday parties. It seems like each year the parties and the presents are becoming more and more expensive. But we can take a step back and be reasonable, if we are willing.

Remember the parties we used to have? It was cake, ice-cream, a few close friends and family members and much smaller gifts? Did we have fun? Of course, we did. Sometimes it isn’t all about the money.

First, you need to discuss this with the other parents. Tell them the truth. Life is expensive. You have bills to pay. Yes, you want the children to have fun and you want them to celebrate their millstones, including birthdays. But this can be done in a reasonable fashion. See if you can set the spending limit on presents at about $10. The parents of the child can still, of course, give the child that one expensive gift the child is just dying to own. But the gifts from their peers can be at a more suitable price range.

Now you need to come up with some fun ideas for your gifts. First, you can start by choosing the age of the child. The younger the child is the easier it is to buy gifts for them. Next, you should think about the weather you are having. Seasonal gifts can be really fun to buy. For example, if it is winter, you can buy hat and glove sets that is adorned with popular cartoon characters or sports teams. If it is summer, you can buy fun stuff that the child can take to the beach. I am sure you are getting an idea now.

I also think it is fun when you start with a few small gifts, like you can buy at those Dollar Stores. Group them together in a pretty box or basket. The gift seems bigger to the child and is still easy on your budget.

Here are a few ideas that I find that children usually love.

Barbie dolls and accessories

Play makeup

Jump rope and jacks sets

Notebooks filled with stickers

Stationary sets, containing pens, journals, etc.

Play cars

Puzzles, activity books

Sporting stuff: footballs, basketballs, gloves, etc.

Board games

Craft projects

Card games, (especially those learning ones)

Sets of markers, crayons, etc.

Fake tattoos

Play dough

Small motorized cars (yes you can find them under $10, if you know how to shop)

Video tapes

Talking stuff animals

Action figures

Toy water guns (check with parents first)

A kit for growing your own plant

Marbles

Joke books

Magic sets

Painting sets (make sure paint is washable)

Of course, you should know a bit about the child before you go off and buy the present. Talking to one of the child’s parents about his/her favorite cartoon characters and hobbies is a great place to start.

Finish wrapping your gift in some bright, shiny paper. You can also add a balloon or two. Children love balloons.

Children can still have nice birthdays and the parents can still afford to feed their families, if we make smart choices. We need to team up as parents and set some guidelines. Then the children will have fun and we might as well.