Birthday Parties - Dallas,TX

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!

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!

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....

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!

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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. :)

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.