I love to give gifts. I just love it. I love to find the perfect something for that someone that’s going to make their day. And it doesn’t just have to be for a birthday or a holiday. I like to give gifts. Period. Who needs an occasion?

Up until about one month ago, I never put much thought into how much money to spend on a birthday gift for one of Pea’s classmates. But now that her first official year of preschool is just about under our belt, it occurs to me that we’ve been going to a lot of birthday parties. Two alone, in the month of February. And that’s just for the kids in her class. Throw in all of the friends she has from outside of her preschool, and the cost of presents is quickly adding up.

I’ve heard from other parents that they spend $10 for classmate birthday gifts. Some parents have told me they spend between $15 and $30 for the gifts, depending on how well their kid knows that birthday party guest of honor. I have, myself, spent up to $30 for a gift.

Now? I’ve decided that somewhere between $15 and $20 feels right to me.

My husband calls me a “toy snob.” And if you’ve read any of my posts, you’ll probably agree. I like toys that are classics. Or that have a solid educational value to them. Are interesting. Clever. Not disposable. It’s just my personal preference. And I carry that preference over to my shopping excursions for gifts for tother people’s kids. It makes me happy. If it makes the other kids happy? Who knows. I’m just going off of what feels right to me.

So when I looked at the upcoming birthday party calendar for the remainder of the school year, I decided that I had to do some planning ahead. Since I’ve cut my birthday gift budget for Pea’s schoolmates in half, I don’t want to be caught wondering what the heck we’re going to give a kid.

The very next party Pea is attending is for a little boy. He’s turning 4. And when I think of a 4-year old boy, I think of dirty cheeks, busy hands and an active mind. Lots of questions. Boundless energy. Curiosity to spare. Actually, that sounds a lot like my girls, but nonetheless. A gift for a boy. WIthin budget. And then, by the grace of a force greater than my gift-giving prowess, I found my way to the Wu & Wu Company. Aren’t you intrigued? I was on a French site, and through a series of links, I ended up on the most tantalizingly colorful opening page of any website that I have ever visited. Can you feel my excitement? My heart is racing, just thinking about it. Look at all of the colorful kits, housed in adorably retro little tins! How cool? How cool!

The Pigtail Kit is perfect for a little girl, isn’t it? Or how about the beauty kit, for an older girl? Can you stand it?

We opted for the Explorer Kit for the little boy in Pea’s class. As soon as I saw it, I had images of Robinson Crusoe, pirates and tee-pees in my head. Davy Crockett and slingshots.

It kind of makes me wish that I had a little boy. No matter. I’m giving this kit to my girls. They like adventure just as much as the next boy. Sure, Pea might opt to wear her Princess dress, her plastic dress-up shoes and a tiara while she sets out to discover new territories, but still. It works, right?

You can also find these amazing tins at Amazon.

Oh, and if any of you moms out there have any theories on spending for birthday gifts? I’d love to hear them!