What can I give as a child's birthday gift that is cheap?

[newatthis]

We are trying so hard on Dave R's plan and I hate buying more junk that kids throw down or step on 2 days after their birthday. What do you girls do for cheap, frugal, birthday gifts.:shrug7: I do not have the option of not giving anything, so that's out. I really need some help. If I spent $10 a kid, I would be shelling out over $100 in gifts for this year. Too much if you ask me. please let me know. I need some ideas.

[SaraO]

I have been buying $10 McDonald's gift cards, even that is a lot but I know it will be used.

[thickbluebug]

I buy after the holiday and put it up for later.
Summer - I buy water cannon guns, pool toys, sprinkler thingies, and put up for the next yr bdays.
xmas - I buy extra toys and put up for the next yr.
valentines day - I buy perfume and robes for xmas gifts or mommy gifts for new babies.
mothers day - robes/perfume for the next year
candy will go bad so I can't store it more than a few months.

So on valentines day I buy reg color boxed stuff and put it up for easter baskets and mothers day boxed candy. Found a lot of good deals on hersheys pot of gold and russell stover boxes this year. They were regular looking boxes so no one knew it was clearanced.

[TheWoman]

How old? Boy or Girl?

Here are a few thing I have done:
Cheap coloring book + crayons or markers purchased during back to school sales. Add some scissors, paper, glue sticks, or stickers if desired (also purchased during back to school sales.)
Bubbles, sidewalk chalk, jump rope, etc.
Clearance toys from Target's after christmas sale.

One thing I like to do is to collect cheap gifts as I find them and then when the invitation comes I don't have to make a trip to the store and I don't have to pay full price.

One thing I HATE is dollar store toys. I understand if the budget is extremely limited, but I have had people give my kids gifts that consisted of 15 dollar store toys, so it isn't like they only had a couple of dollars to spend. Even if the kids are careful with most dollar store toys they break within a day and then I have a really sad kid on my hands. Some never work right out of the package. Don't give junk. Sure, it is fun for them to open 15 presents, but I would rather have 1 decent toy for them to play with that won't leave them in tears the next day.

That said, there are a few dollar store toys that have been worth having--but look them over carefully before buying.

[coupongirl69]

This seems to have been a hit with my kids taking as gifts to parties.

I go to blockbuster get a $5 GC buy the tub of popcorn that's like $1.00. You've now spent $6 run over to the dollar store and buy the boxes of candy like they sell at the movie theater for $4 only you can get the same thing at Walmart or the Dollar store for $1 or less. Buy 2 of those and stick in a soda that you have at home.
Set it all inside the popcorn tub and tie a ribbon around the outside.
Great gift, kids love it, you know they'll use it, costs less than $10.
Viola!

[xcaligurl]

Books are a good gift and usually you can find a good deal on em.
Sharon

[QueenAngie]

What about a gift coupon for a day with you (Auntie) to bake cookies at your home?

That is a memory that every child enjoys!

[collectorofbells]

if you know that a family trip is in the offing...

markers, coloring books,travel bingo, munchies, a tote bag to put it all in( a little fabric paint to personalize), items themed to where they are going-i.e. the beach-dollar store sand bucket, goggles, tube of suntan lotion.ect

does the kid collect anything?

I tend toward FUN, educational stuff..bug collection kits, sea monkeys, magic rocks, a bit more expensive but grow your own butterfly kits where a massive hit one Christmas..go to the gift shop of your local science museum you'll get tons of ideas..

[bnjv8crd]

I usually end up buying some sort of Nerf dart guns or water soakers. You can usually find both for less than $10.

[greenfrog57]

BOOKS!!! I love buying ahead at the grocery store specials when they come out or Tuesday Morning/TJ Maxx/Ross....