https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 22:55:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party/page/2#post-2806074 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 15:57:14 +0000 Ms.Mermaid 2806074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: That for sure gets you out of thank you notes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party/page/2#post-2806048 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 12:26:32 +0000 PinkElephant 2806048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms.Mermaid: @missyoori: This thread is from last year, but since it's popped up again, I'll report back that it definitely wasn't a big deal that we didn't take a present to that party. My daughter forgot about it, and we went on to attend several more parties from school where presents were welcome (and we took them). We allowed gifts at DD's party, and I'm honestly not even sure who brought a gift and who didn't, since DD2 broke her arm in the middle of the party (!!) :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party/page/2#post-2806046 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 12:07:11 +0000 missyoori 2806046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with everyone else, if it was me I'd appreciate you and be irritated at all the others who did bring gifts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party/page/2#post-2806004 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 05:21:12 +0000 Ms.Mermaid 2806004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do no gifts parties and our friends all follow it, but for our LOs party last fall we had a few family members come and they confirmed that “no gifts” doesn’t apply to them (it doesn’t) and brought gifts we opened later. I know some people opt to let close friends bring gifts, so that may have been at play too. Don’t worry about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2681569 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:35:38 +0000 alphagam84 2681569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Leave it alone. We had a no gifts party and while family didn't listen and brought gifts, our 3 friends with babies didn't bring gifts and it was appreciated! Takes the pressure off the guests to not have to bring a present either! </p> <p>Side not: How do you handle family wanting to open gifts while the party is still going on if other people who listened and didn't bring gifts are still there? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2681132 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 00:40:49 +0000 thepicklemonster 2681132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm new to the world of kid parties and didn't know this was a thing! How irritating that people ignore this. I recently went to my coworker's kid's birthday and the invite said no gifts. I brought a card with a note inside saying we made a donation to a local animal rescue in the kid's name. Everyone else brought lavish gifts. I felt super awkward. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2681123 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 23:42:36 +0000 Greentea 2681123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always bring a gift just in case. I am honestly never sure! I leave it in the car or purse similar to @Mrs D: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2681117 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 23:21:46 +0000 shellio 2681117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Leave it alone. We always do no-gifts parties and about 1/3 of parents show up with a gift anyway. I think they either don't read the evite or forget or don't think that I'm serious, maybe? But honestly it drives me crazy when people bring gifts. Some friends make cards and I think that is so thoughtful and sweet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2681113 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 23:07:57 +0000 snowjewelz 2681113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't sweat it. Most people (myself included) just feel wrong not to bring a gift.. But I would have just included a giftcard in the card so it's discreet. I agree that this mom may be A) annoyed that she now has so many gifts or B) indifferent as she prob knew not everyone will follow instruction </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2681112 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 23:06:30 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2681112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ETA: This is why we have started wording it as "we respectfully request no gifts please" so that people GET THE IDEA that we aren't just saying it to be nice. For my son's 5th we will probably say something like "all gifts will be donated to X," that way people will get that if they decide to ignore the request, their gift will not be grandfathered in.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2681111 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 23:03:51 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2681111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every year I say, "NO GIFTS." Every year, A SELECT FEW ignore it. And those people irritate the crap out of me! The ones that take direction I sincerely appreciate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2681100 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 22:05:29 +0000 Mrs D 2681100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Were struggling with this right now. DD is 3 and we have her first birthday party for a classmate this weekend. I was invited first via facebook and then noticed an invite a few days later at the bottom of DDs cubby.</p> <p>After the facebook invite I asked DD what she wanted to get her friend "K" and she said "oh lets get her some of these" and pointed to her trace &amp; lace set she got for Christmas. I got them for her for Christmas bc her teacher commented that the kids all love them - plus its a nice price $10. So score - I was thrilled - we went on to Amazon, picked the design she wanted and ordered. (God Bless Amazon Prime)</p> <p>Two days later I open the invite and it says "no gifts please". UGH! I dont want to be the one who brings a gift when it says not to - and I dont want to be the only one who breaks the no gift rule. </p> <p>We have settled that we will bring the gift but leave it in the car - if others have gifts DH will grab it (actually it may fit in my purse) and if there are no other gifts we will tell DD that we'll leave it in her cubby at school (the kids dont access the cubbies during the day). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2681066 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 19:49:14 +0000 Anagram 2681066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe she just told you no gifts since she invited you last minute, and she didn't want the invitation to seem like a gift grab? Also if she didn't want to put you out by having to go shopping last minute for a gift?</p> <p>I did something similar...my two girls had a party last summer and I didn't think to write "no gifts" on the invitation (although I should have, because we really don't have space). Anyway, I invited a couple of people last minute--these kids hang out with my youngest every day because the nannies hang out together. But I didn't think to invite them because I'm not home when they hang out--but then our nanny asked if these two were coming and I realized I didn't invite them. So I asked our nanny to pass along an invite at the last minute and to please tell them no gifts. It was so last minute, I was afraid otherwise they would think we just wanted more gifts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2681051 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 19:06:53 +0000 Boogs 2681051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You just followed directions, the card should be fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2681031 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 18:13:50 +0000 Ajsmommy 2681031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Leave it alone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2681029 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 18:12:06 +0000 catomd00 2681029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been to parties where everyone listens and brings nothing, no one listens and brings something and some in between. I usually do a card and a small gift card or a book or photo of my kid with the friend. It's annoying for sure to feel awkward about it, but you did as you were told so I wouldn't worry about it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680991 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 16:36:30 +0000 kitty 2680991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will be asking people not to bring gifts when DS starts having parties and we genuinely don't want any. The direction she gave was pretty clear. I feel like if someone sort of wants gifts but wants to appear nice and non-greedy then they word it really vaguely, like "gifts not required" or something.</p> <p>Edited to add that this might be a great opportunity to teach your daughter that different people have different preferences :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680973 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 16:12:40 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2680973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit7: Really! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680972 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 16:12:25 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2680972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If they said no gifts, I highly doubt that they're going to be offended that you didn't bring a gift. The card sounds perfectly fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680969 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 16:09:22 +0000 irene 2680969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have their invitation? Was the "no gifts please" printed on the invitation as well? But really, I think you are fine! I would be thankful not to have another gift.</p> <p>Usually for this kind of situation, I would just buy a book with a card. So a smaller/cheaper version of a gift just to cover my butt in situations like this. lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680888 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 14:49:23 +0000 Littlebit7 2680888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She's probably relieved that she has one less thank you note to write. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680790 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 13:17:40 +0000 catlady 2680790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I tell people "no gifts" and they give one anyway, it annoys me. We have too much stuff as it is. I think you did the right thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680776 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:57:01 +0000 daniellemybelle 2680776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You didn't mess up at all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680770 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:50:11 +0000 littlejoy 2680770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They said no gifts ... you did the right thing. </p> <p>We are always grateful when someone gets our LO anything, because I know their heart is in the right place. BUT, I have to admit, when I say "no gifts", I judge people who bring gifts, hahah. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680768 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:45:07 +0000 Bluebonnet 2680768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You did exactly what you should have done!</p> <p>One other thought, the Mom may have told you not to bring a present because LO was invited at the last minute. (She probably didn't want you to scramble to get a present at the last minute). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680763 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:33:29 +0000 MrsSCB 2680763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did the same as you, didn't bring a gift to a first birthday party that said "no gifts" on the invitation. And pretty much everyone except me brought a gift. :meh: They opened gifts during the party, and I felt kind of awkward, but at the same time I was like, "Whatever, at least I know how to follow directions..." :-P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680761 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:27:01 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2680761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The no gifts thing comes up a lot on these threads. I wonder if the solution is to invite people over for a play date and then they show up and it's a birthday party.</p> <p>They have fun, eat cake, and best of all no stuff! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680759 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:17:56 +0000 lamariniere 2680759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you did the right thing and I wouldn't do anything else! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680754 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:08:51 +0000 LemonJack 2680754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely leave it alone, but I am sure I would feel the same way you do. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-really-mess-up-no-gifts-party#post-2680749 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:01:43 +0000 DesertDreams88 2680749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Leave it alone :) </p>