What do you buy for a stranger toddler?

by Kristin Darguzas (Subscribe to Kristin Darguzas's posts) Sep 28th 2007 8:30AM

My phone rang last night at 5:42 PM. This is highly suspect:
a) because my friends, if they call, which is becoming more and more rare because my returning-phone-call skills completely suck
b) my phone number is too new to be known by various dinner-disturbing phone solicitors.
c) nobody calls me at 5:42 PM

Anyway, it was an extremely peppy lady, who knew how to pronounce both my first and last names, which served to further my suspicion. I asked her if she was from the Internet, because obviously I have few remaining social skills.

"Excuse me?" she laughed,"Is this Kristin? You used to take Nolan to daycare at Nicole's?"
"Yes..."
"This is Regan's Mom."
"Ooooh." Regan is the boy with whom Nolan refused to share his cars.
"I left an invite at daycare, but Nicole says you don't come often anymore -- I was wondering if you'd like to join us at Regan's birthday this weekend."

i was kind of surprised, because I'd never actually met Regan's Mom, but the idea was sweet and I accepted. It will be nice to meet some local Moms, and Nolan always loves running around and smearing dirt on other small humans.

"Bring your husband,"she said, to which I remained silent."And -- nothing -- Regan doesn't need anything, so something small is fine."

So -- what does small mean? Regan is turning 3, and as obsessed with dinky cars as Nolan is. I wonder if a few metal cars will be sufficient? I have no idea what to bring a 3 year old as a birthday present, I'm so out of the loop. Any ideas on standard birthday presents for people you don't really know? Thanks, Internet.

Comments (19)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Inger 9-28-2007 @ 8:59AM

I think maybe a little 10-15$ collection of matchbox cars would be good, or some special edition ones from like the Cars movie or something. I usually only spend 20-25$ on another kid's birthday present and that's when I'm expected to bring something! Maybe I'm just cheap though... :)

Annie 9-28-2007 @ 9:21AM

My limit is also about 20-25 bucks for a friend of the kids that I know, so I don't think that is cheap :) I second the suggestion about the dinky cars or maybe a set of markers and a colouring book? You really don't know this person, but you also don't want to be the guy that shows up with a cheapy gift.

Sandyone 9-28-2007 @ 9:31AM

Guess I win the cheapskate award (and I wear it proudly). I think 10 bucks is plenty (maybe a bit more in Canadian dollars?). My all-time favorite gift for age 2-8 is a flashlight. There are so many different types...big clunky auto-off ones for the 2-4 yr olds, mini-maglites for the olders, the kind that switches from beam to lantern style, the wind-up ones (save your money and skip the shake-up ones...even an energetic toddler can't shake it enough for a decent charge).

Washable markers are ok, but my boys weren't interested in drawing/coloring/writing until they were 6 years old. A better gift for the calmer boy or 'regular' girl.

Playdoh is always good. A 4 pack for $2 and then some tools/cookie cutters/rolling pins.

How about a copy of that book you mentioned the other day? A book goes well with just a 4 pack of Playdoh...something "fun" with a "boring old book".

There are lots of educational toys out there and they don't cost a fortune. $25 on an acquaintance?? Wow!

Jamie 9-28-2007 @ 9:51AM

I like the Hot Wheels Monster trucks. I am cheap too. I am a part of a playgroup and I try and keep the cost around $12 a kid. It is not that I can't afford more, but more that I don't want them to feel obligated to a more expensive gift for my son. There are some really neat books out there too that have a projector that comes with it. They actually work quite well and David loves it. We have the Cars book with the projector. They run about $12. Good luck!

Paula 9-28-2007 @ 11:38AM

I would have politely bowed out. Just because your child went to the same daycare as this child doesn't mean you are under any obligation to attend his/her party nor bring a gift (unless your child insists he or she wants to go). A coloring book or package of cars from the bargin bin should be fine. My 6 year old never really noticed it was cheap toy or not at that age. If it was a toy car he was thrilled.

Kim 9-28-2007 @ 9:56AM

I'm cheap too. Amazon is having a huge kids book sale right now, with a bunch under a buck (we go for Clifford and Curious George in particular, but there's a wide variety). I'm stocking my gift closet. I keep a couple to Thomas engines, cars, whatever I find on sale, around too.

Kini 9-28-2007 @ 10:34AM

I love all the ideas so far. I have a birthday party for two 3 year olds coming up this weekend and have been at a loss for ideas. They are girls... I was also thinking about an "I Spy" book, or the markers with drawing paper (or a dry erase board?).

kledwards2 9-28-2007 @ 11:10AM

I agree with the Playdoh. It is always my number 1 pick for kids that I don't know very well. I think $10 would be sufficient for this situation. Check out your local dollar store. You never know what you can find there. Sometimes the toys are cheaply made and corny, but a new dollar store just opened up by my house and it has tons of Spider Man stuff!!!! You could get numerous things for $10!

Spring 9-28-2007 @ 11:42AM

Homemade playdough and cookie cutters :)

My favourite playdough recipe:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar (found in baking aisle)
1 cup water
1 tsp cooking oil
food colouring

1. Mix all ingredients and stir over low heat until thick and clings to a spoon. Mixture should form a ball. (Use low heat. For years I used too high of a heat, it's better if you are patient and use the low heat. I also add the food colouring to the water first instead of directly into the pot, helps distribute it more evenly)

2. Remove from sauce pan and place on a smooth, dry surface to cool.

3. Knead until smooth and pliable.

4. Store in airtight container. This clay will stay soft for months if always returned to an airtight container after play.

This playdough is soo soft and pliable and lasts much longer than the store bought stuff and doesn't have that plasticky smell. Playdough snob here :) Then pick up some cool cookie cutters at Zellers or the dollar store. Inexpensive, very fun, gift.

Uly 9-28-2007 @ 3:51PM

A DK book.

http://amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_1/002-9650757-0258418?ie=UTF8&rs=2785&keywords=dk%20publishing&rh=n%3A1000%2Ck%3Adk%20publishing%2Cn%3A4%2Cn%3A2785&page=1

They're inexpensive, and they have a number of them on various vehicles.

queenoqueens 9-28-2007 @ 12:45PM

I have a hard time going cheaper than $10, unless I get explicit directions to the contrary from the parents. Although I wish I could.....I'm going bankrupt (4 birthdays this month alone!)
Some suggestions:
1. A big plastic dump truck (nothing fancy....cheapo reapo type)
2. A small Aquadoodle type of thing. Or any drawing type of toy that you can keep erasing, and doesn't make a mess (Playdoh is great, but some parents don't like it for the mess factor)
3. Megablocks (if they have a small pack), or foam blocks, if you can find them.
4. Spiderman anything.
5. One of those blow up bouncy balls that the kids sit on and bounce around.

Melissa 9-28-2007 @ 12:54PM

My son loves Thomas the Tank Engine. The wooden ones are $10, and if you have a Michael's near you, use their weekly 40% off coupon for added savings!

~Monica 9-28-2007 @ 1:11PM

Lately I've been buying small gift bags and filling them with a handful of dinosaur figurines or farm animals, then decorating the bag with a packet of dino or animal stickers and some ribbon. Then a homemade card. Michael's (craft store) is my one stop shop for that.

I think it's awesome you accepted the invite. I don't think it's weird or anything that she invited you. Nolan will likely have the best time ever and it will feel good to connect with these ladies - worth a try anyway!

And for the record, I've invited Mom's and their babes into my home for parties (Halloween/Valentine's) having only ever 'met' them online from a local parenting messageboard, and it was great. When they would show up, we'd joke about it being closely related to a blind date ; )

http://www.raisinglucas.com

SKL 9-28-2007 @ 2:21PM

Anything Lego - a child cannot have too many Legos; or: a book, a coloring book, stickers, and crayons. Cars would be great too.

Karen 9-28-2007 @ 2:53PM

NO...no....no...do not buy play-doh. A lot of parents don't do play-doh (me included!). It is horribly messy and gest stuck in everything. Without knowing if the parent likes play-doh (and I only know ONE that ever had it out), I'd skip it.

I love to give books to kids until they have specific preferences. QVC sells a weekly reader set a couple times a year (or they did) and I used to buy several sets. I'd break up the sets and give them as gifts as needed. I do try to keep the toys educational but fun. And matchbox cars are a huge hit with the kids. Dont' worry whether anyone things it is "cheapy" or not.

Sabrina 9-28-2007 @ 5:54PM

I'm cheaper than the rest of you aparently. I have the tendency to keep items that were given to my children that are age inappropriate or that they already have, instead of retuning them to the store. In fact over the last nearly 3 years I've amassed quite a collection. I keep them in a box in my closet. All of them are new, and there's a selection of ages and gender/non-gender specific toys. Generally I'll pick one of those and wrap it up!