Most parents have probably heard of the Fiver Party concept. Devised many years ago, this simple and cheap present alternative offered to guests at parties is one that seems to have divided people ever since. For those who haven’t heard of it before, or if you are considering it for your next birthday event, below is a detailed breakdown of what a Fiver Party is, the pros, cons and why parents love (and sometimes hate) it so much.
What is a Fiver Party?
A popular trend that is being used more and more at kids parties, the concept behind a fiver party is actually very simple. Basically, in lieu of an actual present, guests are asked to gift a $5 note to the birthday child. This is seen as an easy and cheap option for parents which allows the birthday child to combine the gifted money and use it to purchase something they would like after the event.
What are the benefits of hosting a Fiver Party?
There are actually a number of benefits to hosting a fiver party, which we have listed below.
It is cost-effective
Probably one of the main benefits to hosting a fiver party is that it is extremely cost-effective for parents of guests. During school years, with class-sizes expanding and children spending time with a large number of other children daily, party invitations and events can come thick and fast. This is never more apparent than in the early years when kids tend to invite their whole class to their party, and in turn the favour is reciprocated. With cost-0f-living prices going through the roof and many parents concerned about funding multiple party gifts, simply placing a $5 note in a birthday card ensures more children are able to say yes and attend their friend’s celebration.
It saves time and stress
Another genuine concern for busy parents is finding not only the time to purchase the birthday gifts, but also the stress of deciding what to get and how much to spend. There have been many times over the years, especially when my kids were younger, where invites of children I had never even heard of (and sometimes that my child didn’t even know that well) adorned our fridge. Wandering shop aisles with little people who are trying to select something the child may like can actually prove more time-consuming and – yes stressful! – than you would think.
Cuts down on excessive toys
And here lies the next issue. A child who just wants to have a good time with their friends, who invites their whole class, could end up leaving with over 25 gifts to open! Whilst that sounds fabulous (and definitely is for most kids) it usually results in multiple gift double-ups and things that the child may not have that much interest in. Through no fault of anyone, this can result in a lot of waste and unopened or barely used toys.
Research has actually shown that children actually get a greater quality of play with less toys than more. Rather than being distracted and moving between multiple toys quickly, those who have less items to engage them usually spend more time on each one in a more sustained and creative manner.
Ensures birthday child receives a gift they like
Far from being a selfish way to ensure your child gets one giant present they have been eying off, the idea behind the fiver party is that the guests know their friend will get something they like and it hasn’t cost them much. Very similar to a ‘group gift’ but without putting all the pressure on one parent to collect money and go shopping, the child can simply go shopping with their parent and send through a thank you and picture of the combined gift after the event.
Its a simple lesson in maths!
Yes, the educators amongst us are also quick to point out that a Fiver Party can also act as an early lesson in simple maths for the birthday recipient. Not only will they add up their gift amounts at the end, they can also work out what that amount can get them and do some simple addition and subtracting when deciding on how they can spend it.
What are the disadvantages of hosting a Fiver Party?
Whilst there seems to be a slew of benefits to hosting a fiver party, there are still some parents who don’t like the idea of it. Many parents believe it takes away from the ‘joy’ of their child selecting a gift for their friend and that it shouldn’t matter if it is something they originally wanted or not. Buying a gift teaches children to think about others and those receiving them learn to be grateful and thankful for their present, regardless how much it costs or what it is.
Many people say the Fiver Party concept also puts a greater focus on the gift the child will be purchasing, rather than the general celebration of the event itself. Finally, those parents who tend to disagree with the concept think it sets children up for disappointment later in life if they are use to only getting what they explicitly want for their birthday. There are also always parents that will slip in a little extra money, leaving others feeling like they didn’t give enough.
At the end of the day, some people also just don’t like being told what to do. They enjoy the process of selecting and gifting a present that shows the thought they have put in to it. Some people also prefer to gift something they have made themselves too.
The Fiver Party
Personally, we love the new trend and believe most parents would find it a fun, easy and cheap option for them. I have actually been to one before and, although I initially found it a little weird, was actually very relieved by the ease of the concept.
What are your thoughts? Have you been to one before and have you done this for your own child’s party?
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