The $5 birthday party hack every parent should know

Parents fed up with forking out up to $1000 a year on birthday gifts for their kids’ friends are embracing a no-frills hack. Once you’re on board with the trend you’ll never worry about a children’s birthday party again.

Children’s birthday parties are going back to basics and parents are being asked to give just $5 instead of expensive gifts.

Mums and dads have hailed the trend a blessing in a never-ending cycle of costly kids’ celebrations.

It’s also teaching children a happy birthday need not be about piles of presents.

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Writer Lana Hallowes, who shares experiences on parenting website Babyology, said the “fiver party” movement was taking off.

She has even plans to adopt it for her son’s birthday this year.

“It is such a great idea because it makes the party about the birthday being celebrated, not the presents,” Hallowes said

Birthday boy Angus get his fivers from party guests Yasmin, Georgia, Rupert and Lachie. Picture: Tony Gough

“Most parents love the idea and see it as the end to all of our birthday party present-buying woes — like the expense and also wondering if the birthday kid already has that LEGO set or Disney princess doll.”

Hallowes, a mother of two, got creative with her “fiver party” invitations — asking the little guests to include a drawing in the card along with a note.

“It changes the focus from presents to fun,” she said.

The no-frills movement started in the US and is gaining momentum around the world.

It aims to teach children that birthdays should be about the simple joy of fun and helps them understand the value of saving to buy something they really want.

Claire Simmo will be the first in her circle of friends to give the idea a go.

She came across the idea on social media and thought it made sense to limit the amount of waste in the environment.

She normally spends more than a $1000 a year on birthday gifts for her two children’s friends.

“I don’t know if other people will get on board but I think it’s a great idea,” she said.

“Often there will be a double-up on toys if there’s a sale on at a toy store, so we will just be re-gifting or it will end up in the bin, it really is a waste.

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