Having boy-girl twins, we hit the birthday scene HARD. It felt like we had one, even TWO parties, every weekend. With twins, its double everything so if there is a shortcut or something that can be done more efficiently, I did it. I quickly learned that I needed to start buying birthday gifts in bulk. If you have a three old boy, chances are you are going to SEVERAL three old boy birthday parties. DUH. And yes, there are plenty of toys that are universally appealing to all three year old boys (and girls). So when you find a toy that your own child loves, is a moderate price or is on sale, buy THREE of them. Or more. You will absolutely kiss yourself when you can go to your closet the morning of the birthday party and pull out the gift. And a good one.

And no, you do not want to wait to see what the popular toy is that season OR ask what the guest of honor is into. Here’s why- that’s what everyone else is doing and he or she is probably going get about 5 of those. He or she will likely appreciate something outside of their normal wheelhouse and you know your own child loved as well. Win-Win.

Birthday parties have gotten out of control these days. Not only the parties themselves, but also the gifts that are given. When I was a kid and it was my birthday, I got to take 5 friends to roundtable pizza and a movie. And I only got to do that every other year. Today, I feel like people rent helicopters to escort real life Elmo to serenade their two year old while showering him with toy ferrari’s and eating $10 rainbow cupcakes. It’s too much. Regardless if there is a chopper involved or not, below is a list of gifts that my kids loved at their respective ages. They were big hits as birthday gifts and most importantly, will NOT break the bank:

Age 1- Push or Pull Toy

shopping cart for $21

lawn mower for $21.99

wooden pull toy $13.99

dump truck pull toy for $14.99

Age 2- Playtime is Happening.

Pretend food for $19.99

mess free drawing mat for $17.99

tool set $24

Age 3-4 Boy

Stomp Rocket. for $16.99

Age 3-4 Any gender

Kinetic Sand (if you are not familiar, its magnetic sand. Translation: easy to clean) for $22.99. Kids LOVE it and mom’s approve it)

Cash register . Both genders love these (and older kids will use them when it comes time for them to start selling random crap from your driveway. What happened to a good ole fashion lemonade stand?) . Here is a pink cash register for $15 that has been a hit for several of my friend’s daughters. We own the red and blue one and its going strong in the usage department after 8 years at $29

Girls age 3-4- Pretend Anything:

School Days $26.99 This pretend school/teacher kit is a huge hit with the little ladies who can’t wait to be a big kid and hit the school scene. My daughter and her friends played this for hours with a line up of stuffed animal students.

doctor set- any gender $23.99

All three kids loved playing doctor. My son even wore his get- up to his check up appointments and is still one of his favorite things to do with house guests.

Blog post coming soon for ages 5 and up! Secret: My 8-year olds still play with all the toys listed above, with their little brother of course. Even when he asleep in the other room. Don’t tell. Good luck at the birthday parties this season mamas and here’s to hoping that your blue frosting exposure is limited.