Fun & Frugal: Kid's Birthday Party Gifts

If you have children that have started preschool or kindergarten you may know what I'm talking about when I say my daughter went to a birthday party about every other weekend last year! As we all know, birthday gifts for children outside of our own family can get pretty expensive and they do add up. I've tried lots of things in the past but had never been satisfied at what I could buy for less than $10, yet have it look like something. So, when a good friend recommended this book and idea to me I jumped at the chance to use it! It's a gift that's fun & thoughtful, yet very frugal. This can also be adapted and you can spend what you wish.

The gift idea centers around the book Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann. It is a cute story about a girl that eats too many pink cupcakes and turns PINK. The hardcover book sells at Amazon for $12.23 (new). I've also picked up several soft cover copies through my kids' Scholastic book orders for under $5. The cute part of the gift is what you add to it. Typically, I like to add a pink cake mix, pink frosting, and pink sprinkles (all that I've picked up very cheap with coupons). For a good friend, I pick up the hardcover, add the cupcake supplies and possibly an apron. The possibilities are endless. With the soft cover copy and cupcake supplies, I had around $7 into this gift. It is something fun to do which makes lasting memories and a book that can be read again and again.

Plan to plan ahead! It will save you quite a bit here. The cover price of ths book (hardcover) is over $17 and cake mixes, frostings and sprinkles could cost you more than $5 without a sale & coupon.

What have you done for birthdays? I'd love to hear your fun, frugal ideas!