[Varvara]

Presents for kid’s friends! My older kid’s friends are 10 to early teens. On their birthdays we like to give something that’s going to be liked and it’s not something I can _really_ save on.

What I struggle with, however, is that I often find out about the party quite late so I have to buy things like art supplies or K-pop related merch or something at the MOST expensive places No opportunity to shop around or buy online (we don’t have fast inexpensive delivery here).

I’m grateful I can do this (for now at least, teens will probably be more difficult to please) but is there a better way?

[Leah]

I used to buy stuff on clearance had Rubbermaid bin that I put this stuff in and my boys could shop out the bin to find something the friend would like.

[Wendy]

With our kids’ teen friends, we ask what their favorite candies are and buy 3 or 4 of the $1.25 boxes and tie a balloon to it.

For teen girls, lipglosses have been good and a favorite candy.

[Elena]

In my experience, $10 gift card to a Dairy Queen always a winner

[Jody]

I keep a stash of $2 bills and give these. Kids think these are extra special since they usually don’t see many.

I only have 2 kids I need gifts for so I give them bills that match how many years they are turning.

My bank always has $2 bills and I have a stock pile of them.

I may rethink this as the kids get older.

[Mary]

My nephews loved opening a gift of their favorite candy and snacks. Cheap and they love it.

[Mary]

Write your kids friend’s birthdays on a calendar. A month or 2 before the birthday find out if they are still on good terms. Sometimes friends are fleeting at that age.

Then find out what that child is into this year. That will give you a month or so to find an appropriate gift.

My grandkids in that age group like Starbucks gift cards, movie gift certificates, and gaming gift cards.

These can be bought any time during the year if a store is running sales or you have extra money that week.

[Nesha]

I’m a retired middle school teacher, and unless you know
exactly what the kid wants at that age – go with gift cards.

Kids love to be able to choose things for themselves.

[Debbie]

I buy two movie sized candy bars, slip a 20$ bill in between and tie up with curled ribbon.

Haven’t had any complaints yet, lol

[Marina]

Get a plastic popcorn container, put a popcorn pack inside and two packs of candy one on each side. Put in cellophane bag.

I bought everything at Dollar Tree and Amazon

[Catherine]

Always keep a closet for last minute generic gifts. Pair it with chocolate.

[Loretta]

Every year target has 10% off gift cards. Stock up on different amounts for all occasions

[Melissa]

Buy ahead for the next one. Something unisex maybe or one for a girl and one for a boy so you can get it cheaper and be ready.

[Author]

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