Fiver parties are the latest trend in kids birthday parties. Unlike over-the-top celebrations that require a Kardashian sized budget to pull off, this trend is actually genius in its simplicity.
What is a fiver party?
The idea is simple. If your child is invited to a fiver party, instead of purchasing a present, guests are encouraged to simply gift the birthday child a five dollar note. Pooled together with fivers from other guests, the child can then purchase a gift that they want.
The pros
- There’s no need to come up with a present idea. THIS! I mean, I love buying presents for kids that I REALLY know, but chances are, your kid has been invited to a party for a kid you barely knew existed and asking your own child what the kid is ‘into’ is invariably a shot in the dark.
- You don’t need to make a foray into the toy aisles (thus avoiding the “I wants” from your own kids!)
- The recipient won’t end up with three toys the same.
- It reduces clutter.
- The cost of present buying is kept at a reasonable level.
- There’s less waste from packaging and also toys that end up in landfill.
- We don’t have to all stand around while the birthday kid opens a bazillion presents and our materialism becomes just a little too in your face!
- Kids can buy something that they really want.
The cons
- It makes present buying less personal.
- Some parents won’t feel comfortable receiving a request for money as a gift.
- Asking for money can be awkward and may be viewed as tacky by some people.
- Your child needs to be on board with the idea too or may be disappointed that they don’t receive presents as in the past.
How do you word a fiver party invite?
Not many people are comfortable asking for money. So wording an invite which says, “hey, come to my kid’s party and bring $$” is bound to give you a bit of anxiety. The good thing is that fiver parties are becoming more popular so not everyone who opens the invite is going to be wondering what’s going on. Also, the wording of the invite can help. Try adding a note with something along the lines of:
Jack would like to invite (guest’s name) to his/her birthday party. We look forward to sharing this special occasion with Jack’s friends and want to focus on fun rather than gifts. So we are having a fiver party. Those who wish to bring a gift (and please do not feel obliged to), we simply ask for a $5 note so that Jack can put this towards something special he’s saving for. Thank you!
Do you like the idea of a fiver party? Has your child been invited to one?
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Written by Julie Scanlon
Julie is Editor for Kidspot NZ and our MVP. Her hobbies include laughing uncontrollably at her own jokes, annoying her family by asking questions about movie plots, and never taking anything too seriously. She speaks a little Spanish and a lot of Yorkshire.
Favourite motto to live by: “It ain’t nothing but a thing”
I haven’t been invited to a fiver birthday party and it sounds like a good idea since it will also eliminate the amount of toys that you get gifted that my son might not really want to have. I’ve though maybe this would be a good idea for my son’s next birthday but didn’t know how to say it on the invite though. I find asking for money instead of gift does sound a little awkward.
This is a great idea – especially if you have had a busy week and have not had the chance to go and buy a present – also $5.00 is not very much to ask for. Also with it being money it is probably more discreet if someone is not able to give $5 as the birthday child could open their cards after everyone has left instead of the traditional way of opening presents in front of everyone as everyone wants to see what gifts are received.
Haven’t ever been invited to one of these but have been to a birthday where I was instructed ‘no gifts’ and when I said that didn’t feel right 5 dollars towards the child’s savings was suggested. We couldnt help ourselves and included a small gift of chocolate too. I wouldn’t mind doing something like this for my eldest as often she gets gifts that are not quite her style. But I do think she’d feel a bit odd just getting money too. I find cash a little too impersonal. But sometimes with kids parties you really don’t know the kid at all!
This is an awesome idea!! We usually give $20 for our son’s friends, an idea that we borrowed when his friend first gave him $20. I think you can achieve alot more with that amount but I feel it would be rude to ask for that much.
An interesting concept. Some kids love getting money to choose their own things while others love getting presents. I can definitely agree with the comment of getting your child on board with the idea first.
I really like this idea, the pressure to give a ‘cool’ gift can be immense, so the expense can really be a killer, it really evens the playing field for the guests and $5 is not too much to ask.
This is a really neat idea. I’ve never heard of a fiver birthday party before now so will definitely consider this in the future, sounds so much easier especially as you say if your child gets invited to a kids party they don’t even know. Great thinking.
Omgosh love love love this! My 2 older boys have never had a aprty due to the pressure of having a “flash” one and the costs esp being in early Feb when school costs, xmas etc still fresh… This not only gives me as the parent abit of a repreive but those that are invited too.
My boys deff at the age where theyd prefer vouchers or money as well so fits in with this idea well… Deff keen to give this a go.
Only thing i wonder is if thos now means kids will want more people so they get more money?
I have never heard of this this is a great idea this way parents will be happier giving $5 than spending about $15 on something you don’t know they will like or not and like you say if you don’t know the child well it can be very difficult to choose a gift.
I actually think this is a good idea. It can be quite hard knowing what to get for a birthday present for your kids friends (especially if you don’t really know the child or parents really well). It also can save you money as it’s also difficult knowing how much to spend. Plus the added bonus of the child being able to get what they want 😁