One of my good friends' daughter is turning 2 this month. Mom is a SAHM and Dad is a teacher, and they are on a very strict budget. We get together about once a week and hang out and do free stuff, we always have fun and our girls are adorable together.
They are throwing a huge party, and she invited 65 people (family and friends). Kiddo has SO many toys (like, a ridiculously overwhelming amount of toys...3 bikes already, several baby strollers, play kitchen, outside toys, etc).
I'd typically spend about $20-$30 on something at Target and call it a day, but I'm thinking I want to do something different this time, it just seems so silly to get her a Handy Manny toolbox (or whatever) when their house is literally overflowing with toys already, and there's going to be about 40 people coming to the birthday party also.
Any ideas?
Would it be totally tacky to buy a pedicure gift certificate, or something, for the Mom?
Or I was thinking a certificate for swim lessons, or ballet class, or something that she wouldn't typically pay for herself...? But I have no idea how to gift that, ya know?
Re: I need help picking out a gift, thoughts...?
I wouldn't buy something for mom, since it is a party for the LO
Is there a local children's museum, zoo or aquarium you could get tickets for? My parents always renew our children's museum membership for the kids' Christmas present each year, and that is the best gift. A membership costs more than you would want to spend obviously, but you could pick up 2 tickets for $30.
DS 3.12.08
DD 7.11.09
DD 8.01.13
I like the idea of getting tickets to a zoo or some other kind of activity....
Is the 2 yo still in diapers? You could always get a box of diapers and wipes. I know it's not very exciting, but it's useful and probably appreciated since they are on a tight budget.
Another idea... do you have a decent camera? You could offer to be the party "photographer". Walk around and take a ton of photos, then have them printed and give to the parents.... maybe even put them in an album. It's so hard when you are throwing a party yourself to make sure you get all of the photos taken that you would like to have taken.
Thanks for all the ideas!
The Zoo membership is $50, and I don't want to spend that much...plus I'm a member and I can get them both in for free already.
What do you think about a $30 Red Robin gift card? That way they can all go out to eat together, or they could use it for a date night if they wanted?
Or I might see if a friend wants to go in on a membership to the children's museum, that would be cool too.
Clothes and PJ's are always a safe bet (size 4-6 since she's 2 and will likely be going through a growth spurt soon - DD wore size 4 forever)... You could get training pants/pullups/potty seat even because that phase is likely coming very soon if it hasn't already started.
As for the activity thing, I think that depends on their personality. Instead of Red Robin for a gift card, maybe a place like Chuck E. Cheese or McDonald's/Burger King since many have playlands...
Also, 2 is a bit young yet for swimming or ballet lessons... Even 3 is pushing it based simply on where they are developmentally.
One idea is the Crayola pages that only color on the page. At that age they're starting to learn how to hold a crayon/marker... And it's one thing that no matter how many you have you can ALWAYS use more of in addition to it being something that will grow with her.