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We recently threw our family’s first Fiver Birthday Party for our daughter’s 6th birthday with classmates & friends! If you’ve never heard of a Fiver Party or you’re ready to make the switch, here are all the details on a $5 Party!
What is a Fiver Party?
A fiver party is a normal birthday party but instead of gifts, you ask that if guests are going to bring a gift (which isn’t expected!), they bring $5 for the birthday child instead of a toy.
Of course a birthday party is NOT about the gifts; we don’t have a party with the expectation of gifts in return but the reality is, most people bring gifts to parties. I have a *few* very close friends and over the years we’ve agreed to not give each other’s kids gifts for their birthdays. But that’s the exception to the rule. So instead of asking for “No gifts, please” and it being *awkward* when some people oblige and some people ignore, try a $5 party!
Why throw a Fiver Party?
SO MANY reasons a fiver party is the way to go!
Benefits for the Guest Families
- No buying a gift I personally do not LOVE a last minute Target pickup to grab a toy and gift bag for a kid I’ve never met & then worrying about if he or she already has the toy or will like the gift
- No wrapping Again, yay for not having to wrap a gift & buy a card. Almost every child who attended Em’s Fiver Party made their own cards & they were darling!
- Way more budget-friendly than a typical birthday gift – I was spending $25+ on every birthday which can really add up!
Benefits of Fiver Parties for Birthday families
- Less toys/clutter You’re not lugging home 20 gifts but also not dealing with them in your home
- Your child gets to choose what THEY want one big gift? A membership? Saving half & spending half? Donating some? Up to them!
- Introduces or continues the conversation of cash, saving & spending nothing quite preps you like hands on learning and this is a great way for kids to experience money
- Removes the ‘gift’ portion of parties which means more time to have fun with friends at the party versus opening gifts
- Your child is left with a stack of really cute and thoughtful cards from their friends versus $200 worth of tiny pieces
Why Fiver Parties are a Great Idea for Society
- They’re more equitable – no extravagant gifts and no big deal if someone doesn’t bring a gift!
- They’re wayyyy more environmentally friendly – less ‘stuff’ = less in a landfill, less plastic, less everything
Fiver Party Wording Ideas
Here’s how to explain a fiver party on an invitation:
Your [child’s] presence is the best present! But should you want to gift something to the birthday girl/boy/whoever, please consider giving $5 that she can put toward something special. (specify the ‘something special’ if you’re able: a membership, an experience, a bigger ticket toy, etc)
No gifts are expected – {child} just wants to celebrate! But if you feel inclined to bring one, please consider $5 towards (insert something special here).
Is a Fiver party tacky?
I personally don’t think so! To me, asking for cash is really no different than sharing an Amazon wish list & I think all the pros of a fiver party outweigh the cons! We invited Em’s entire kindergarten class and only one child didn’t attend – I’m assuming due to real life & not the $5 request 😉
Feedback from real moms about Fiver parties
Here’s what real moms have to say about this party idea! Check out my reel on Instagram to see all of the feedback…
I agree with this! We don’t need another plastic toy in the house, $5 would be much more meaningful and useful
– mommydiary
Yes!!👏👏 And can we also please do away with the party favor bags full of junk? 🤦🏼♀️
– bubblesandjoycompany
Hot take – classmate birthday parties shouldn’t includes gifts. Just put “no gifts please” and everyone is happy 🙃
– meg.anderson
That’s basically what I put on my five-year-old’s invitation for her last birthday and I plan to do it again when the little one turns two! I actually stated that we would use it to renew her zoo membership.
– buzzingwithmsb
Yes yes yes! We don’t do cards for anyone, kids always make cards for ppl with whatever crafts we have no matter the event. I always do money but I love the $5 idea!
– chelsealampinen
Don’t get me started on treat bags!!! But yes to ALL OF IT
– amandamassel
What do you think about a fiver party?
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Danna says
We have been doing this for a few years now and include a charity to give some money from the proceeds. We talk about what it means to GIVE and our kiddo (7) chooses the charity each year.
Bernadette says
totally doing this for my daughter’s 6th birthday! It makes so much sense and so practical!