Joint birthday parties

**Jaycee** · November 15th, 2012, 02:06 PM

DS1 has been invited to a birthday party for his preschool friend.

The party is a joint party with said friend's little brother.

The invitation states "come and celebrate R and L's birthday"

Am I expected to buy a present for each child?? Your opinions would be greatly appreciated!

**Tinks** · November 15th, 2012, 02:10 PM

I would only buy a present for his friend.

**RainbowRiver** · November 15th, 2012, 02:16 PM

I'd just buy a present for the friend not the brother as well

**feeb** · November 15th, 2012, 02:20 PM

I would buy a pressie for both, but just a small token thing for the child your son does not know.

**roses** · November 15th, 2012, 03:37 PM

I'd buy for both

**Patti** · November 15th, 2012, 04:28 PM

We had the same situation and I bought for both.

**k4t** · November 15th, 2012, 04:30 PM

I would buy for both

**LizLemon** · November 15th, 2012, 04:37 PM

What Feeb said - normal present for the child you know and a small token present for the other child

**shellbell3** · November 15th, 2012, 05:48 PM

We had same thing recently, I noticed some bought for one some for both. I figured they'd get so much stuff anyway I just bought for the boy we knew.

**grub17** · November 15th, 2012, 09:19 PM

i would only buy for the child you know!
we are having a joint party for my son and one of his little mates, but have said "if you choose to buy a gift, please only for the child you know".

hth

**Ca Plane Pour Moi** · November 15th, 2012, 09:23 PM

If you only know one child/are friends with one child, only buy for one. When DS has gone to these sorts of parties, the invite says for which child he will buy for IF he chooses to bring a gift.

**roses** · November 15th, 2012, 09:28 PM

I think buying for one child is understandable if you do not know the second child but the original post states that the party is for brothers so it's highly likely that the OP knows both birthday boys.

**Ca Plane Pour Moi** · November 15th, 2012, 09:40 PM

I think buying for one child is understandable if you do not know the second child but the original post states that the party is for brothers so it's highly likely that the OP knows both birthday boys.

Not always - I know DS's friends have siblings, but he doesn't "know" them. Plus, DS isn't usually friends with the sibling. I can think of one family where he's friends with both children, and even then calling the younger sibling a friend is a bit of a push, although they will sometimes play together.

**roses** · November 15th, 2012, 09:41 PM

I did actually say 'highly likely'

**Ca Plane Pour Moi** · November 15th, 2012, 09:47 PM

And I disagree with you, roses. It is not highly likely that a child, especially a child who is young enough not to go to a friend's house on his or her own, will necessarily know the siblings of their friends. If that sibling is a baby (likely in this case) they may have seen the baby, but have no clue who the baby is unless the parents are friends and tell the pre-school child about who the baby is.

**roses** · November 15th, 2012, 10:01 PM

Maybe then in this actual case it will depend on the age of the children/birthdays.

My children are young and therefore I guess I know all their friends - no doubt that will change as the years go on.

Still - personally I'd still arrive with a present for each child no matter how big or small.

**Jaycee** · November 16th, 2012, 03:39 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Just to clarify, it is DS's kindy friend and his brother. Whilst we "know" the brother due to school pick up time etc there is no connection other than that. They have never played together or been to one another's houses.

I'm leaning towards only buying for the friend. I actually think if you're going to have these sorts of parties it should be stated on the invite!