Thank you PPs! I feel a little better now. - OP

Lol my daughter has gotten a bunch of these mix and match bags. Don't worry, I don't assume anything about the parents, even though some collections have been real head scratchers.

I'll never forget when I was about that age for my birthday my friend gave me a bunch of small things that were the same color. A bandana, a nail polish, jewelry from Claire's etc. I thought it was the coolest and most creative thing ever and still have the bandana. I think you're overthinking it.

Normal. Parents probably don’t even know.

My 15 year old gives gifts like this all the time. It’s normal.

Totally fine. My daughter and all her friends (15 now) do this. And then once in a while they’ll buy each other $60 perfumes or $40 lip balms. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Age appropriate.

Let it go

This is what all of my daughters friends do.

My son that age insists on giving a gift card or sometimes cash with NO birthday card. For some reason, cards are MORTIFYING. Yes, I’m embarrassed that it looks like he’s handing over payment instead of a gift, but they’re his friends and this is not a battle that’s worth fighting.

Eh, if I’m paying, I feel fine to veto.

Are they good quality or cheap plastic? Teach her to wrap them nicely. Seems normal to me.

Yes I’ve had similar thoughts, but it really is ok.

She might be absolutely right that the birthday girl wants a bunch of five below stuff as much as one big item that it high quality. My kids have loved handmade gifts as much as pricey ones…it’s really all ok.

This is every 12 year old girl ever

Ugh. I wanted to teach kids to spend money so said they needed to buy presents from allowance. That just made the kids more cheap!

Mine did similar, and the friendships survived.

I am mildly embarrassed by the birthday gifts that 12 yo DD wants to give her friends. She strongly prefers to give a mishmash of hair clips, keychains, nightlights, and candy. It looks like we just swung by the dollar store on the way to the party. I provide the funds (so, she's not just trying to save her own money) and sometimes I'll go over budget to get a nice box to put it all in, because I feel bad about it just jumbled in a gift bag.

It's not my friendship and it's great she is taking an active role. But I do worry what the other family thinks. DD mostly receives gift cards or art supplies from these friends.
Anybody else running into this?