I threw separate b'day parties for my 6 yr old boy, 8yr girl. All had a grt time, the kids(and I) were happy that we have friends to celebrate with, thanked them for the gifts.
After so many birthday parties over the years, I don't bother much about the gifts. Just make sure kids write a thank-u note, & put some away.

But, 2 gifts had me thinking. One was a close family friend, who gifted my 6 yr old boy a fish in a bowl. I thought she could have checked with me re a pet. My kid is not yet ready for it, and I currently cannot use it as an opportunity to teach responsibility. Well, it was hard to "send" fish to the "vet".

Another, was some books wtih gift receipt(dated 30 min after party start time :-), put in a Target store plastic bag.
How about some wrapping(newspaper, const. paper or a sandwich bag with some 'art' on it?
These were very close friends, and my kid do always put thought into gifts.
Not to be ungrateful, just curious if anyone agrees about the gifts?
Am not upset or wondering what to do. Just curious.
Can't teach kid "pet care" right now. Some other things going on, and can't fill in for kid if he fails to take care of fish. Agree, kid taking care of pet is doable, just bad timing for me right now.
friend with books-in-target-bag, does always 'have-no-time'. But, that is part of her personality, and I truly appreciate her as-is. Like, I said, just curious abuot other's feelings re the gifts.

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