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Crescita (original poster member #32616) posted at 7:24 PM on Wednesday, May 21st, 2014
A friend invited me up for her kid's 6 birthday party. I've gathered from facebook conversations that it is now going to be a joint party to include one of her sister's kids as well. I know the sister, but not as well, and don't usually celebrate her kid's birthday's.
So do I bring two gifts? Equal value? I've already surpassed my monthly gift budget so I don't want to go too crazy. Is there a standard token gift that would be acceptable for both a 6 year old boy and a 6 year old girl?
Edited to get to the point 
[This message edited by Crescita at 2:01 PM, May 21st (Wednesday)]
“Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning
Want2help ( member #20547) posted at 7:41 PM on Wednesday, May 21st, 2014
My daughter is almost 6. She loves sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and drawing/painting supplies, and I am always thankful when people buy gifts like these (outside gifts or crafts).
Oh, also bug catching stuff.
FBS/WS- me.
F(serial)WS/BS- him.
Madhatters. More Ddays than birthdays, at this point. His OC, my OC...
UPDATE: Divorcing after almost 20 years.
Sad in AZ ( member #24239) posted at 8:19 PM on Wednesday, May 21st, 2014
Actually, living where you live (and I know the climate well) I'd look more for things that can be done indoors rather than outdoors at this time of year unless you know they will be vacationing in a cooler climate.
My go-to gift for most kids is a book. I'm not sure what's appropriate for age 6 (I'll have to gear up for this at some point 
) but someone in the bookstore may be able to help. You could also get a set of activity books for each. They're good for indoor time.
You are important and you matter. Your feelings matter. Your voice matters. Your story matters. Your life matters. Always.
Me: FBS (no longer betrayed nor a spouse)-63
D-day: 2007 (two years before finding SI)
S: 6/2010; D: 3/2011
Crescita (original poster member #32616) posted at 8:23 PM on Wednesday, May 21st, 2014
Good ideas thanks! One of the kids is actually a cooler climate, and his mom is very artistic, but I think both would love activity books as well.
“Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning
tushnurse ( member #21101) posted at 11:30 PM on Wednesday, May 21st, 2014
I would go with a theme for both the kids and get a few things for each. The boy dinosaurs are always a hit, an actual factual book, and then a coloring or sticker book. The girl I would probably go with American girl story and a coloring book.
I am a huge fan of giving books to kids, and when they get just a bit older, like 8-9 I get gift cards to book stores. Let em go pick out their own.
Me: FBSHim: FWSKids: 23 & 27 Married for 32 years now, was 16 at the time.D-Day Sept 26 2008R'd in about 2 years. Old Vet now.
Lucky2HaveMe ( member #13333) posted at 12:40 AM on Thursday, May 22nd, 2014
Ya know, I don't think it's necessary to bring a gift for the child you are not close with. We went to a graduation party a few years ago -it was a combined grad party, we were invited by the one family we are close to. The other was a cousin of the girl we knew.
We took a gift for the girl we knew, wished the cousin well and that was it. I don't think anyone expected gifts from the *others* invitees.
Do what you are comfortable with. 
Love isn't what you say, it's what you do.
Lostinthismess ( member #39210) posted at 12:51 AM on Thursday, May 22nd, 2014
I would not bring two gifts, you were invited to one child's party... My kids frequently have joint parties and as a parent, I don't expect each guest to bring two gifts. Most the time I honestly tell them no gifts are necessary.
'You just keep living, until you are alive again'
'I don't want perfect, I want honest'
tushnurse ( member #21101) posted at 2:18 PM on Thursday, May 22nd, 2014
Lost - I would actually put on the invites for my kids when they were small in big capital letters
NO GIFTS PLEASE
It's a party to celebrate another year of life. If anything I should be giving presents to all the kids for tolerating my children. LOL
Me: FBSHim: FWSKids: 23 & 27 Married for 32 years now, was 16 at the time.D-Day Sept 26 2008R'd in about 2 years. Old Vet now.
absolut ( member #37933) posted at 3:50 PM on Thursday, May 22nd, 2014
I honestly don't know, but I'm pretty unapologetic about getting kids' gifts at Dollar Tree. Heck I buy stuff for myself there.
I'm talking even my own nieces and nephews, because I have a ton, and I'm not spending real money on a present for a 5 year old who is going to be getting 10 other presents that day when they're just as happy with a dollar present, they don't know the difference.
So if there is a good Dollar Tree near you, that could solve the whole thing. They also sell cards, 2 for $1.
Crescita (original poster member #32616) posted at 5:22 PM on Thursday, May 22nd, 2014
I’m sure the parents don’t expect gifts, but I have terrible anxiety about showing up empty handed to any event, and these are just kids, a little goes a long way.
Absolut, I know what you mean about young kids not caring what a gift costs. I used to spend $50 per kid on my nieces and nephews, only to watch them set my gift aside after thanking me and move on to the next, by the time they were finished they couldn’t even remember who gave them what.
“Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning
GabyBaby ( member #26928) posted at 5:25 PM on Thursday, May 22nd, 2014
I would not bring two gifts, you were invited to one child's party... My kids frequently have joint parties and as a parent, I don't expect each guest to bring two gifts.
Ditto this.
You were invited to "Jane's" party. That "Peter" is also having his party does not mean you need to bring a gift for "Peter".
Don't feel bad about it. Wish "Peter" a happy birthday, then go be merry (especially if you've already blown your budget).
Me - late 40s
DD(27), DS(24, PDD-NOS)
WH#2 (SorryinSac)- Killed himself (May 2015) in our home 6 days after being served divorce docs.
XWH #1 - legally married 18yrs. 12+ OW (that I know of).
I edit often for clarity/typos.
sparkysable ( member #3703) posted at 5:35 PM on Thursday, May 22nd, 2014
No, you just bring a gift for the kid whose party you were invited to.
D-day OW#1 2/2004;D-day OW#2 5/2010
Marriages that start this way, stepping over the bodies of loved ones as the giddy couple walks down the aisle, are not likely to last.
GabyBaby ( member #26928) posted at 5:39 PM on Thursday, May 22nd, 2014
If you're that stressed about the second child, get a card and pop $5 into it as a "nod" to him for his birthday.
Me - late 40s
DD(27), DS(24, PDD-NOS)
WH#2 (SorryinSac)- Killed himself (May 2015) in our home 6 days after being served divorce docs.
XWH #1 - legally married 18yrs. 12+ OW (that I know of).
I edit often for clarity/typos.
cmego ( member #30346) posted at 7:35 PM on Thursday, May 22nd, 2014
I buy a stack of either Target or Toys R Us gift cards. Either $5 or $10 and place those in a card for whenever one of my kids is invited to a b-day party.
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.
me...BS, 46 years old.
Divorced
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