Class birthday parties..what do I get the kid?

Class birthday parties for most kids is very exciting event to be invited to. For most parents on the other hand ... you are left figuring out what to get this kid you don't know that they don't already have? Do I know any of the parents? Do I like any of them? Should i stay? Should I go? And a million and one other questions that rumble through our brains the moment we hear class birthday party.

I was fortunate to be invited to a class birthday party in a situation where I had time to chat with the moms as it was a joint party...that's right 2 kiddos to figure out. And though they are class friends we have not crossed that "line" of friendship yet where they have hung out outside of class. So we have the theme of the invitation, the information my surprisingly informed child has gathered (future FBI agent here 🤣) and what I manage to gather from the parents. Now we do know the families are at the very least middle class and anything the kids really want would be gotten from them. So we are trying to think of something affordable because again theres 2 of them, unique, fun and something they'll actually like.

We start talking about crafts because I'm thinking a craft kit. They agree crafts are a hit in their house and they appreciate the quiet time. Then each mom has a list of "don't you bring that mess in my house" crafts (one is no slime, one is no beads) so then I realize there is more to take into account here...

A good gift should...

-Entertain the kid

-Give their parents a break

-Not cause more mess than the kid would have gotten in before then gift

-Be unique

-Be something that it's not a big deal if they get 2 of them

-Wouldn't some how get your kid picked on 🤷‍♀️ kids are ruthless in some areas, luckily these particular kids wouldn't do that.

Then it hits me ...

I recently got into Coloring puzzles and my little one has been asking for one of her own.

The great thing about them is they come in all ages from velvet color-in puzzels to full on adult ones. The box is easy to wrap and looks nice. If they get 2 it doesnt even matter because they can color them differently. And you can find good deals on them.

Feel free to click on the photos they will open in a new window with the amazon page for the puzzle.

The perfect class birthday gift — Horse and colt velvet coloring puzzle

✔Entertain the kid

✔Give their parents a break

✔Not cause more mess than the kid would have gotten in before then gift

✔Be unique

✔Be something that it's not a big deal if they get 2 of them

✔Wouldn't some how get your kid picked on

I'm this situation the party was a 4 and a 5 year old so we went with a velvet color in puzzle so it's easier. The great thing is these puzzle come in all sizes and difficulties. It also isnonenofnthe few gift that turn into a whole new gift.

The great thing is you can find them for as little as $7. The prices usually range $10-$20 with a handful falling on either side of the sale. I love the variety of prices, options, sizes and availability of these puzzles.

This is the one I'm working on now...

there are so many...

They even come in 3D!

For an added bonus especially at joint birthday parties where they need to easily identify their gifts hit the dollar store for some letter stickers and put their names on the gifts that way.