https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:42:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents/page/2#post-1874485 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:25:46 +0000 78h2o 1874485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would bring a card. If the invite says no gifts, I would respect that. Bringing wine for the parents (of a small child) is a great idea though!</p> <p>However, I once asked a mom for gift ideas (after receiving a regular invitation, that didn't say no gifts) and she said, "oh, she doesn't need anything, she just wants her friends there to play with her, don't bring a gift." Well, I decided I still wanted to bring something small, since I've given gifts to everyone else in our circle... but turns out every single other person brought a really nice gift... so I ended up feeling bad about my lame-o gift. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents/page/2#post-1874483 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:24:15 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1874483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meganmp: that is the best idea! I'm totally going to do that next time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents/page/2#post-1874475 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:19:55 +0000 HabesBabe 1874475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would bring a card (no gift/money/gift card inside) because the parents might be sentimental and like to keep that sort of stuff.</p> <p>I wouldn't bring a back up gift, either, because I'm getting to that age when I just don't give a crap what people think anymore, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents/page/2#post-1874463 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:12:32 +0000 illumina 1874463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone. I talked to another friend today who is invited and she said she probably isn't going to take anything, so I will just take a card :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1874436 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:00:38 +0000 wheres_c 1874436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would bring a card with a gift card, or donation to their favourite charity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1874383 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:38:51 +0000 travelgirl1 1874383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it means no gift. I've only been invited to two no gift parties, one invitation specified to bring a donation to the local animal shelter (they actually emailed people a few days before the party saying don't forget the donation, which I thought was a little rude) and I asked the other host what their favourite charity was and donated directly. I wouldn't bring an actual gift. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1874321 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:12:19 +0000 NovBaby1112 1874321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we're going to a "no presents" bday party this weekend. I was going to bring a card along with a giftcard in it.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1874289 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 11:59:07 +0000 Rubies 1874289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always bring a little something (a GG at the least) to no-gift parties and here's my rationale: Regardless of being invited to a party, I would have gifted them something on my own anyway to help celebrate. Just because I have been officially invited to a party doesn't negate my desire to gift them. But like someone has already said, what they choose to do with it is up to them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1874217 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 11:21:58 +0000 namaste 1874217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've only gone to one and didn't bring anything. I did take a card I think but that was it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1874212 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 11:19:15 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 1874212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If the invite says no gifts, I don't bring one, even if I'm worried I'll be the only one who doesn't. I know if I were to put no gifts on an invite, I wouldn't want people to feel like they had to bring one due to peer pressure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1874200 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 11:15:20 +0000 Meowkers 1874200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I still bring a small gift. It's just not in my nature to show up to a hosted event without a gift. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1873925 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 09:08:32 +0000 alohaorchid 1873925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whenever I have been to a no presents party, I always bring a card and I don't seal the envelope and keep a gift card in my purse. If it looks like most people are bringing gifts then I put the gift card into the card and seal the envelope. If no one brings gifts I just give them the card. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872769 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:57:59 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1872769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: yeah, that's why I'm just quietly doing it! I was clear saying that they had more clothes and toys than they needed already, so hopefully I'm not being disrespectful to the gifters by giving the toys to the children's hospital to give out at Christmas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872754 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:49:23 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1872754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: that is obnoxious! In my case the no gifts thing applied only to friends and I explained to them in my message that his family would probably bring something because they have no self control.</p> <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I tried to be really flexible in my wording. I told my friends no gifts but if you want, make a donation of toiletries. No-one likes buying toiletries so I didn't have many people take me up on that. I get that it may seem "donation grabby" but for me, the potential to offend was worth it because I simply can't handle the parenting drama that comes with all the gifts. I've seen children at parties get, like, sixty gifts (especially when the gifter gives a few small presents in a grab bag). When I was a child I had birthdays with family except a few occasions so I literally have no clue how parents manage to keep their children's entitlement-surrounding-holidays issues in check if they get so many gifts every year. It just isn't something I've learned to manage effectively.</p> <p>Like I said, we actually didn't have a party this year because it just gets to be too much and with my LO being only two, he didn't notice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872746 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:46:29 +0000 brownie 1872746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We specifically asked for donations (Peter Pan party for children's hospital his cousin goes to). It was great we raised over $200 and they will get another $100 from the foundation. A school friend brought a gift (cheap cars my son loves), a close friend brought a going away book (we were moving a few weeks later) and his babysitter brought a bag. So not too bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872725 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:36:24 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1872725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: @Mrs. Tiger: I haven't received a no presents invite just yet, but knowing the gift would be donated would make me feel obligated to bring a gift. I wouldn't want to be the scrooge that wasn't kind enough to bring *something* for the less fortunate kids. Even though this now feels like forced charitable giving without the tax right off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872721 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:35:41 +0000 autumnlove 1872721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: yeah, the kid was wearing down the parents. I wish they told him to wait. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872718 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:34:32 +0000 dolphin 1872718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always feel weird showing up empty handed so I would bring something small like a book. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872675 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:16:04 +0000 MrsF 1872675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've brought a fun balloon to 1 year bday party. Not really a gift but I wasn't empty handed and what 1 year old doesn't love a truck balloon or something like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872673 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:15:54 +0000 Freckles 1872673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if that's what it says, then i would feel zero guilt about not bringing anything. I once received an invite that said, "Please no gifts but if you feel compelled a book to add to her library would be welcomed." </p> <p>@autumnlove: Are you serious? That would really annoy me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872664 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:13:51 +0000 ElbieKay 1872664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meganmp: Megan for the win! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872653 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:10:33 +0000 looch 1872653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.shinerbock: It's my social anxiety talking, and yes, I logically know no one is making any judgements. I like the idea of bringing a bottle of wine to the parents, lol.</p> <p>I am of the mind that if someone brings a gift, regardless if you want it or not, you accept it and thank them. What you do after that, is your choice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872649 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:08:46 +0000 autumnlove 1872649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to a no gifts party and there was a table labeled for gifts by the front door. They opened the presents at the end of the party. :P</p> <p>I bring a card, GC or book. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872646 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:07:59 +0000 Boheme 1872646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meganmp: I'm going to invite you to my parties. I like your style! :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872642 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:04:37 +0000 meganmp 1872642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to a no gifts 1st birthday party, and I just brought the parents some wine. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872629 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 08:58:15 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 1872629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>IMO, it means no gifts. I never understand why people feel the need to disregard a host's request by bringing unwanted items. (Gifts when they have said no gifts or food when the host told them that nothing was needed.)(ETA - not talking about hostess gifts.)</p> <p>If you really feel you must bring something, how about a card with a balloon? I know my LO would be highly entertained with a balloon and I would not feel like I had acquired more stuff because I could throw it away after a few days.</p> <p>ETA- and have you ever been to a no gifts party and judged anyone else because they did not bring a gift? I haven't - I suspect the feeling that you should have brought a gift is self induced - no one else is judging you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872628 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 08:58:02 +0000 lilyofthewest 1872628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bring a card with personal message to no gifts parties. It is something tangible to mark the occasion, but it doesn't take up much space. It is enough to save me from feeling too awkward if most other people ignored the instructions, yet I think it avoids making those who didn't bring anything feel bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872615 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 08:51:02 +0000 rachiecakes 1872615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would bring a card with a gift card inside.<br /> I know it means no gifts, but I wouldn't want to be the only one without a gift and I know that happens more often than not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872613 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 08:50:19 +0000 JerricaBenton 1872613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never actually been to a 'no gifts' party but I think I'd bring a smaller gift in my purse to ease my anxiety about being the only guests without a gift. As far as a card, I'd probably have LO make one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-no-presents-always-mean-no-presents#post-1872607 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 08:45:08 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1872607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: just saw your reply! I did it via FB which I think helped. I told them no gifts, but if they wanted to donate to buy toiletries for a nearby children's home. No-one was interested in buying deodorant so I didn't get too many donations but we did raise about 150 dollars in cash for them.</p> <p>Coincidentally, I just noticed a 'no gifts' in small print on a party invite for next week. This thread made me check, otherwise I would never have noticed it! This person had a registry for their first LO's birthday (oh how things change), so I never expected a no gifts policy for them! I already bought a gift I can't return! Lol, oh well. I'll put it back for a niece or nephew for Christmas. </p>