Present for the BIRTHDAY kid

This year I have started bringing a present for the birthday child at my birthday party gigs.

You would not believe how well received and amazed/thankfull the parents seem to be that you thought enough of the event to bring a gift! I had this one parent go on and on about how much she appreciated me bringing a gift for her son.

I'm not talking about a big gift but just something that lets the child know how much I appreciated being there with them. I usually don't let it go over $10-15 bucks.

I know for a fact it's going to be a secret deal sealer for the next years party because I've already had the parents tell me they wanted me to come back next year and asked me for a couple cards to pass out at work.

I know I can't be the first to think about this but wanted to share it here as an idea for other members. I know that face painting well should be enough of a gift but I like to think of that as a hired service, being a guest in their home or party place I also feel like I'm a guest and who goes to a birthday party empty handed. I've really enjoyed doing this and the kids and parents are always so surprised.

We've been doing this for our bounce house business since we have a million birthday parties every year. Usually it's a few helium balloons and a small goody-type-bag filled with small trinkets like pencils, bracelets, silly bands, etc. What do you usually give them? Does it change for every child or do you have a large stash of the same/similar type stuff?

You can get very inexpensive stuffed toys, etc w/ your company logo/website on them. I'm thinking of doing this. I sometimes make a birthday cake out of balloons for the birthday child or a very elaborate balloon sculpture.

Hey Jumpers, what you said is a great idea, the balloons and goody bag. I don't have a certain think I bring...it just depends on if it's a girl or boy.

If it's a themed party, obviously thats something the kid likes, so I try to find something related to that in wal-mart or target. I don't spend as much as I would if it's someone I actually know...I just tend to keep it under $15.00 and grab a bag from the dollar tree.

The last party was for a boy and he had a Hotwheels theme (race cars, etc.) so I bought a $8.00 pillow shaped like a car that said hotwheels on it and stuck it in a bag. Now everytime that kid seens that pillow he will remember it was the face painter that gave it to him and that should keep me fresh in his and moms head for next year. It's a generous and clever thing to do all in one!

Now that's super smart thinking Psalms!

I don't take a special gift for the birthday child in particular, but for the birthday party "package" price I also include small party favours (one per child). I have a small case that I carry a selection of "prizes" in - bubbles, rings, sticky hands, friendship bracelets, stickers, pencils, small toys (stuff from Smilemakers.com mostly) and each child can pick ONE thing.

Frankly, I would baulk at spending $10-15 on a present for some kid I don't know, when I am the hired help. Doesn't bother me to be paid staff.

That $10-15 is going add up... ten parties that's $100-150. So you will have to work one party every 10-12 or so to just pay for the "gifts?!"

Yes, good marketing, but your costs need to be reconsidered in my opinion!!

I have a glitter tattoo that says birthday girl and one that says birthday boy, with designs around them... Kids love them and feel special. I got the from Linda Adams

No presents! Why? My point of view is I'm hired for my skill, my customer don't expect me to bring a present. I will sure take special care at the birthday kid but that's it.
My view is, don't do to much than expected as usually those parents are not going to hire you again for the next birthday! Why? Because its the way it is.
I have kids and every year I'm doing something different for their Bdays.

Or, like today I was doing that girl Bday party, she had a lot of fun, they met me at one of my summer festival and then wanted me for her Bday. Yes I made her really happy, gave her extra care and when her friend was asking to get the same design than her I told them nicely that no, she's the Bday girl shes has to be unique! And she gave me a truly bright smile. But at the end I was doing the brother and then I gave him extra care too as he maybe will ask to have me for his bday!

And like every single party I'm doing I got a really large tip, so... no gift needed

It's a very nice gesture to make, wouldn't anyone appreciate it if it were their child...expect it, probably not....appreciate it most definitely.

Above and beyond being a hired entertainer, you are also a guest. I'm a giver by nature so spending a little money on someone to put a smile on their face has never bothered me. I appreciate being at the party...on the other hand if you are in a situation where money is so tight for you that you cannot afford it, I completely understand.

As far as not being hired for the next birthday, you could not possibly be more wrong. If you are finding that you are not getting repeat business then you may need to reconsider some things and try to discover what you are doing wrong....that would worry me big time.

Also if you are not valuing your services to afford investing $10-15 on marketing yourself in a clever unique and very considerate/polite manner, you really need to take a long look at your fees. I don't look at it as losing money at all, I look at it as doing a kind thing for someone who did a kind thing by choosing me for their event.

It's not all about the money and if it is, how dull that must make it for the person doing the entertaining. I know not everyone would consider it, I was just sharing my ideas and how I handle things....that's why it's called a forum.

The glitter tattoos is a very creative gift Suzy, see those are the things that are very much appreciated....and will certainly be remembered. I'm a firm beliver in Karma also.

I do a special glitter tat on the bday kid and they are always glowing about it and the parents always look so happy for them and it costs hardly anything... I don't consider painting their face extra nice a present, you should be doing that anyways lol

don't talk about Karma, I did a horrible karma thing today and I know its going to bite me in the butt!!!

LOL, well maybe if you pray about it before the nights over....it wont bite quite so hard!

psshhhh... nope, I am done for lol