HI everyone! I've been invited to a friend's daughter's sweet 16 party. i've never been to one before. I need your help with gift ideas. i thought of getting a gift card but what amount would be a descent amount? I'm not too close of a friend with this family and i'm surprised (and honored) at the fact that they invited me.
thank you all for the comments. It really helped me to make a decision in this case. I ended up not going to the party.
when i get invited to a party like this by people to whom i'm not close, i don't think 'i'm honored', i think 'they want a prezzie.'
so i'd send a card and a 'sorry i can't make it to the party.'
not much help, i know.
khairete
S.
Be creative instead of spending a lot of money IMO. Do a bouquet with 16 suckers or a bouquet with 16 $1 bills in a pot. I would have fun with it instead of a giftcard.
If you are not close to the family - why are you invited?? It seems really rude to invite an adult who is not close to the 16 year old or the family to a party, well, rude might be harsh. How about Greedy??
What would be a decent amount? That's up to you and what you know of the girl? If you don't know her well, $25 seems appropriate to me.
However, if you are going to get a gift card, the beset best would be a Visa Card so she can spend it where she wants.
If she's a new driver? A gas card would be great.
If you're in PA - then things for her car (again - IF she has one) like a snow remover and ice scraper.
If she has long hair? She might enjoy things to put in her hair or a gift card to a salon she's been wanting to go to.
Good luck!
love the new driver basket. we always give something similar to the new drivers for christmas
windshield thing to get rid of snow
a gas card
a bottle of glass cleaner
a de icer thing for the locks
an airfreshner
bag of salt for the trunk
if you want to splurge more than those things a car vac is about 10-15 bucks (think dust buster for the car
Generally when a 'not too close' friend invites people to anything - it's usually a gift grab.
Not always - but I'm a natural skeptic.
Don't read too much into it.
Google this and check Pinterest.
https://www.pinterest.com/explore/sweet-16-gifts/
I like the 'New Driver' kit idea.
Not too personal but really handy to have in a car and it's not expensive to put together.
Is it a big party? Just because the suggestion of 16 suckers and/or $16 may be really on the low end. Just because I know that some people go all out. I'd reach out to other people in your area that may have had kids attend them before (or that had one for their own kid) and see what the expectation is.
Just because we are in full bat/bar mitzvah mode here which is costing me $36-$54 a pop depending on how good friends my daughter is with them. I had to ask because I grew up in Texas not knowing any Jewish people and didn't know what was expected. And from what I can tell up here those kids who don't have a mitzvah then do a big blowout sweet 16.
I know etiquette says you can give whatever you want, but for my kids' friends birthday parties I'm spending at least $20 on the low end and up to $35-40 if it's a best friend. Personally I'd be writing a check for a Sweet 16.
ETA: I just realized that while you said a "friend's daughter" you add at the bottom that you aren't too close a friend with the family. I'd probably just pass on the party then.
