I'm not a fan of other children's birthday parties, mainly because when it comes to buying a present I go into some sort of minor meltdown. I find the whole thing quite stressful.
As you know, I have a "toy-snob" thing going on, so I never know what to buy these kids. Do I go all-out and source something completely cool which I've found on ETSY, but requires international shipping and which, 99.9% of the time, won't be appreciated?
Or, do I just buy the latest Transformer helmet from K-Mart which, will break in five minutes but, takes no cerebral effort in choosing?
Little wooden Ninja $10USD Wisconsin ... here
I also have an "I'm a bit of a tight arse" thing going on, so I don't like to spend a lot of money on children I really don't know.
Liberty finger puppets $10USD London ... here
I'm of the opinion that parents are the ones to buy their children the big presents, and the rest of us should just buy something little which won't break easily; which could probably be used up quickly; or which can sit neatly on a shelf and not take up too much space.
Know It All pencils $11USD Los Angeles ... here
But I've been to parties where I've seen guests hauling huge containers wrapped in coloured paper which are ripped open in a frenzy of greed and then discarded on a pile of similar.
And there are also the parties where the guest's gift bag is more extravagant than the gift I purchased, which is slightly humiliating.
Crayon Rocks $15 AUD Melbourne ... here
Today's party is for the son of a 'famous' ex-footballer. I'll say 'famous' because, as I don't follow sport, I don't really know if he is merely 'famous' within the sporting fraternity, or he's 'famous' because he's a local. I recognised him, so I guess he is well-known ... and that's another aspect to the birthday party which causes me a dilemma.
At the party, do I play it cool and pretend I don't know who he is? Or do I play it cool and say, "Hey, Famous Footballer, I've seen you tackle and kick balls etc on TV?"
Jungle Coin Purse $16AUD Melbourne ... here
That's why I've decided to send the Husband along as official Child 2 Party Guest Supervisor.
I think the Husband is secretly excited because he always comes home from school drop-off, saying things like -
"Famous Footballer looked at me, do you think I should say something?" or
"Famous Footballer walked passed me at the sandpit, I think he wants an arm-wrestle ....' or
"Famous Footballer was looking at my shoes, do you think he wants to race me?"
Fruity moustache badges $5USD Tunbridge Wells ... here
I said I thought maybe Famous Footballer wanted to pummel the Husband into the ground because the Husband was quite obviously stalking him.
Anyway, Child 2 will be giving the birthday boy a $15 book which has had good reviews.
The toy shop wrapped it, and Child 2 made the card which features a large, hand drawn, fluoro-pink love heart.
I'm sure that will attract the Famous Footballer's attention.
Said book ... here
How did your husband go at famous ex-footballer's house? ;)
ReplyDeleteI buy books for nearly every kid's birthday my boys go to, but they rarely get books as presents from other kids, I wish they would!
You cant beat a well written and fun kids book!
Love all the little links you've posted, really like the Know It All Pencils!
Cloudbusting,
ReplyDeletethe pencils are cute, aren't they! I asked the Husband how the party went. It was at a kids' party venue (jungle gym-type place). He said he sat at a table by himself! He said, "I think Famous Footballer wanted to come over and talk to me, though". He thinks they've somehow now formed a visual bond!
Oo-er MMC - how well I remember this type of dilemma from when my darlings were small. Because of our jobs Mr EM and I were often around world famous personalities, usually in the arts though occasionally and excitedly someone 'mega'. But for our children's parties we mostly gave books and would have been thrilled if we ever received one (never). Once a charmingly homemade item though sadly could not work out what is was. However I steadfastly refused to be drawn into the bigger, shinier, more expensive and inevitably trashy circle of 'present' giving. Of course all my darlings are now in therapy even past thirty!
ReplyDeleteRight then. I think we may be agreed. Books from now on, it is! Laughed at the homemade present.
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