Birthday Parties - Dallas,TX

Updated on March 18, 2011
L.S. asks from Dallas, TX
14 answers

ugh, i hate to even ask this, but two of my girlfriends are having birthday parties the first wknd of april. one of the girls is one of my BFF's & known her since 7th grade. the other girl...we're cool & i like her. parties are on 2 diff days.
the deal is...i'm BROKE. isn't that horrible to say?? i can't afford to go to the parties! i'm not gonna tell them i can't come b/c of money b/c we all know what they'll say "it's okay, come anyway", and i don't wanna seem like a mooch or something. and if i don't go, i'll be sad b/c my BFF's baby is the first baby of all our friends and she's just...our baby! turning 3 btw. :)
anyway, should i just go & hope they don't expect me to bring a gift or should i do the whole 'talk to 'em' thing? i REALLY don't want either of the girls to know how shitty my finances are. just kinda embarassing and since it's just in regards to a bday present, it's really not relevant, y'know? anyway, what would you do?? should i go & hope they don't notice i didn't bring anything - lol! btw, both parties are at those inflatable jumping places, so my 2 yr DS would have fun. :)
thanks :)

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So What Happened?

y'all are right...i know i should go, i just kinda felt bad. but y'all are so right, i wouldn't care AT ALL if they came to my boy's bday party & didn't bring anything and i know they wouldn't either. i should probly say something up front though, huh?...
thanks for the support on this one! :)

More Answers

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L.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Go anyway. Have fun. Make a homemade card and have your little guy scribble some stuff on it. Put a little note inside that says "Our gift to you is having little 'insert bday girl's name here' over for a fun all day playdate next Saturday. We'll play outside and have a picnic for lunch. Mom can stay at home and have a day to herself. If this day doesn't work for you let me know and we'll pick a different day. Happy Birthday!"

The only cost to you is your time and a little sandwich and drink for lunch and maybe a small snack.

If you think your friends would say come anyway - they really mean it and would rather have you there having fun instead of worrying about a present.
Don't deprive yourself and son of fun because you can't buy a present. Give the gift of time - FREE!

5 moms found this helpful
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L.L.

answers from New York on

If these women are truly your friends, they shouldn't bat an eye at you not bringing a gift. Lots of people are struggling these days, I'm sure they're aware of that. Your presence should be plenty. Parties are all about company, not gifts, in my personal opinion. If you really want to go to the parties, I would just be honest. "Hey, I really want to join in on the celebration but feel terrible that my finances are in the red right now, so I won't be able to purchase a gift at the moment..." and leave it at that. Most decent people will say "Don't be silly! It's not about the gifts, it's about celebrating with those I love."

Just my two cents. Good luck!

3 moms found this helpful

D.M.

answers from Denver on

Can you make a card, give a photo....something creative, that has meaning..that utilizes things you all ready have? Those are the best gifts anyway.

If the parties involve going out, then maybe join briefly, have a water, or if you can drop $2-$3, a cup of coffee. I used to do this a LOT when I had no $ to go out and my friends did. Since I paid my way, no one ever cared. Sometimes someone DID buy me a drink. I always just "paid that forward"...eventually....

ETA: D'Oh - I could have read this more carefully. The parties are for the kids, not your friends. You could still make something (or put together ingredients/materials for a project) and at 3, kids LOVE gifts from the Dollar Tree! It's not all junk...we've gotten some pretty good dinosaur toys, some awesome giant bubble wands, magic tricks (for my 6 yo), glow sticks....or just sit down and help DS make a card....

2 moms found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

They're your friends. I would be honest without going into all the details. If they are your friends, they know you well enough to know you aren't a mooch, and they really probably would rather have you there than not (with or without a gift). I hope you and ds go and have a great time!

2 moms found this helpful

L.S.

answers from Dallas on

When we have a bday party to go to and no money to buy a gift I go to Dollar general. You could get something as simple as a coloring book and some crayons. You could even tell them your son picked it out for her! lol Once I went and spent $5 and got dress up shoes and one of those feather scarf things and some kid play jewelry. It ended up being the first thing my neice wanted to play with after opening presents!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from New York on

If you can't tell your BFF your financial difficulties, then who can you tell? I would just let her know money is tight, but in lieu of a gift you would be willing to do something else, like having "Susie" over for a special play date, or baking the birthday cake.

My BFF was going thru some difficult financial times when my kids were little and I invited her and the kids to the party because I wanted them there. I even told her "just get my daughter a big bottle of bubbles or some sidewalk chalk from the dollar store". She knows I don't mind second hand items, so her gift was her kids outgrown little tykes backyard toys. My kids loved the toys. It's the thought that counts.

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Get something for them from the dollar store. Or targets dollar area. Could just be crayons/coloring book. Or even regift something like books. Just don't stay home for this reason-lfe is too short. Your friends would not be happy if they know. And you don't have to tell them either.

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V.T.

answers from Dallas on

dollar store's a great idea, or are you artsy/crafty at all? could you make something as a present?

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S.M.

answers from Dallas on

I think your BFF probably KNOWS you have some financial issues, even if you haven't said anything. Can you make them something? What if you made some cookies or cake balls for the child that is having the birthday. If you are crafty, look online for ideas for kids crafts and see if you can make something that would be neat for the child. You could give the child a gift certifcate (just make something on the computer) that says you'll take them to the park with your child for an afternoon. You could pack a picnic lunch and give mom a break. Or you can even offer to take him/her to McDonald's for an ice cream...they are 99cents and just getting out, going to the play area, and getting an ice cream would be a GREAT gift. Books are also usually inexpensive, sometimes just a dollar. You could get 1-2 books, wrap them up, and make a bookmark to put in it. My point is, you don't have to spend a bunch of money on a present, you don't even necessarily have to explain WHY you didn't spend a bunch of money, but I bet your BFF would totally understand and be sympathetic. And, even if your child fingerpaints a picture for the friend, that's a gift. sorry to be random, but ideas keep coming in my head...you can also make playdoh, wrap it in foil like a big hershey kiss, and say here's a kiss from me! There are a ton of recipes online for how to make playdoh and none of it costs very much...dollars and cents.

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L.S.

answers from Tyler on

Honestly, you really can get a gift for less than $5.00. I'm not sure how tight your finances are, but playdoh for a 3 year old is perfect and you can definitely find some for less than $5.00. Plus, I NEVER give cards as I think they are a waste of money. You can just wrap the playdoh and put your name on the outside OR just put a ribbon on the playdoh and don't even wrap it.

I agree with another poster - go to the dollar store.

GOOD luck!
L.

L.M.

answers from New York on

I have had similar issues, money is tight and we have alot of friend's kids bday parties to go to. It ends up being like 10 a year, which can really add up! You can get very inexpensive crafts esp using coupons, from Joann's, if there is one near you? Or from Michaels. Or if you cannot spend anything, just tell your friends in private, they'll understand. Definitely go to both things!

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I was going to suggest what Lisa said...to give your time as the gift. I think that's fun and it's non traditional! I do agree though that you might clue your BFF in on the situation, but the other friend, just make a nice card and include your "gift" or you can try to get a book or something for very cheap. I wouldn't do junky toys, but a book or even do gift certs to McD's...if she takes her kids there. I'm pretty sure they still sell them by the dollar.

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

Bring a card, yourself; if you're creative - make something. They want YOU, not your stuff. Heck, hit your local dollar store - sometimes they have cute stuff there and you can put something together for a few bucks - candy basket, bath care, etc. :)

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

If they are your friends, you can just tell them.
They WILL understand.
That is what good friends are.
I openly tell my friends, if I don't have money to go out/party etc.
Its fine.
I have no embarrassment about it.

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