Do I purchase one gift or THREE? Invited to Triplets birthday party....?

Question

Ok, my 3rd grade daughter had a little girl in her class last year. The little girl is a triplet. We got an invite to her birthday party and it says "It's party time!! Celebrating x, y, and z's birthday!

We know who her siblings are, it's a small school, but we only know one of them better because they were in the same class last year.

How would you handle it?

She is the only girl of the triplets. The other two are boys and one is still stuck at age 1.5 mentally. Cord was around his neck at birth, bless his little heart.

Why would I buy presents for two people I don't even know?

Each kid will have THEIR OWN friends invited. So if everyone who shows up buys a gift for each sibling - whether they know that kid or not, the kids all ultra score. They get gifts from all their friends, and all their siblings friends too. Why should that be?

Answer 1

We have to think of a few things here-
1.It might be weird to call the Mom and say "Do I really have to buy each of your children a gift?"

2.Maybe the Mom doesn't want people to bring a gift for each child. She probably has enough crap laying around the house as it is.

3. If the one child has a mental age of 1 1/2, then he won't realize if he gets a present or not. That also rules out the choice of buying one present that suits all 3, because it doesn't.

If you choose to buy each child a gift, you don't have to spend a lot of money. Boys are thrilled with a squirt gun, ya know? Get coloring books and crayons. Another ideas is to Get 3 gift bags and fill it with bubble bath, a bath toy, a cute tube of toothpaste and a new toothbrush. The kids will find this neat and it will be useful stuff for the Mom also.

Also, another thing to think about is, if you only get the girl something, it's not like the Mom is going to say anything to you. I'm sure she would understand.

I guess the way I would handle it is, to buy a little something for the boys and something a little bit bigger for the girl, since my daughter is friends with her.

The only thing I would call the Mom about is regarding the mentally disabled child regarding what would be best for him as a present.

Answer 2

Gifts For Triplets

Answer 3

I personally would do three separate gifts, unless it was something that they could all use together, but not fight over (not sure on ages, but an example is like a big play dough kit with lots of different things, so they all have something to use). I do understand that since your friend does not know them that well, she might not know their personal preferences. A suggestion would be to go to get each of them a little bag of small inexpensive toys, candy, stuffed animals, etc. (think like a stocking, except not Christmas themed). I did this once when parent had a joint birthday party for their two toddler daughter, and I bought them each a toy purse and filled it with suckers, dress up shoes, a little stuffed animal, a doll dress, etc. They LOVED it :)

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Do I purchase one gift or THREE? Invited to Triplets birthday party....?
Ok, my 3rd grade daughter had a little girl in her class last year. The little girl is a triplet. We got an invite to her birthday party and it says "It's party time!! Celebrating x, y, and z's birthday!

We know who her siblings are, it's a small school, but we only know...

Answer 5

I would let your daughter get just her friend a gift. i have twins that are 4 yrs old. When they have a birthday party I do not expect every person to bring a gift for each boy. I only expect that from Grandma! Have fun and don't feel guilty for buying just one gift.. I'm sure the mother does not expect every one to bring 3 gifts. Thats a whole lot of stuff.

Answer 6

I would bring a gift for each child. It's not fair to bring a gift for one and ignore the other 2. You don't have to spend a lot- perhaps get the same gift but in different colors? (ribbons for hair, clips, etc.)

Do the girls have hobbies? You can buy gifts for those.
Or, you could give gift cards in small amounts ($5 maybe?) like for the movies?

You could also get a "general" gift the children could share. But, I think if I were turning 8 or 9 and had to share my birthday with 2 other siblings, I would want my own presents. (just my opinion)

Answer 7

I would say that one gift would only make sense if it was something that could easily *and* peacefully be shared or that they could use together. A board game or an interactive craft kit are good examples. If you decide to give one gift, you still might want to give a different card for each girl or maybe a little trinket (candy necklace or something) just to minimize fighting or feelings of lack of uniqueness (probably common among triplets you always get matching clothes, etc.).

Answer 8

I would buy one large present that they can all share. Even if the little one who is mentally slow can't quite get the grasp of how the toy works, he can at least play with it in his own fashion. :) Books are nice, too. A nice, colorful set of books is never a bad gift. Same goes for this (for the slow child). He might not be able to read, but he can pick up the books, flip the pages, look at the pictures, etc.

Answer 9

Good question.

You have one of 3 choices:

1 - Call the mom and ask her

2 - Buy something they can all play with together

3 - Buy one gift for each child

Answer 10

I think I would solve the problem and be easy on my wallet by getting a gift that could feasibly be used by all the kids. Like a game or activity they can all do together. Just write "Happy Birthday" on the card and let the parents and kids decide how to handle "ownership" of the gift. That should leave you out of the hot seat with regard to ettiquette. Pick out something you know the child you KNOW well would like!