https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:58:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-185803 Mon, 11 Jun 2012 13:15:40 +0000 LuLu Mom 185803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it is fine, if people want to get a gift they will anyways, but they won't be obligated to do so! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-185675 Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:06:52 +0000 banana 185675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to a party once where they mentioned that in lieu of gifts, they will be starting a small fund for a local children's charity. I thought that was really thoughtful. They had a small box with a slit on top for donations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-185631 Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:37:16 +0000 purrpletulips 185631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We recently received a birthday invitation that read "Gifts are appreciated, but please do not feel obligated." I thought it was a very tactful way to say it.</p> <p>It was a party for friends and family, the only gifts received were from family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-185187 Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:52:59 +0000 Arden 185187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love the book idea. Because they don't have to spend much, but then no one will feel bad if they actually listened and didn't bring something, and everyone else did anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184981 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 20:18:06 +0000 heffalump 184981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We told people no gifts for lo's naming by word of mouth. Then most people brought something anyway and when a friend walked through he door and saw all of the gifts you could tell she was uncomfortable because she actually listened and didn't bring anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184695 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 13:13:10 +0000 BoogieBea 184695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went to a birthday party where the parent said no gifts. So we didn't bring anything but some people did bring gifts and then they had the gift opening at the party. We felt like idiots and sent them a gift certificate a few days later. So now I always bring something regardless. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184685 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 12:50:47 +0000 regberadaisy 184685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsHotDog: I like "Your Presence is your Present". But I would still bring something! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184671 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 12:29:29 +0000 BSB 184671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsHotDog: oh ok. I think that's a good idea to suggest books if they really want to get something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184666 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 12:25:07 +0000 yin 184666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>"The gift of your presence is gift enough." -- from Fitz's 1st Birthday Invitation, Designed &amp; Printed by Duet Letterpress</p> <p>If I received an invitation requesting no gifts, I would still bring a children's book to the party. It's something little that most children can enjoy (without adding to the toy pile). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184657 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 12:18:04 +0000 MrsHotDog 184657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the input! I had my invites designed on etsy so I need to email the designer and see if she can edit the file. I think I might put "your presence is your present" and if anyone pushes the issue, I will suggest books. </p> <p>@bluestriped bee: My daughter already has plenty of toys and I know the few things we would like (a wagon, picnic table, and books) the grandparents are going to take care of. Plus, my husband doesn't like first birthday parties so this was a compromise we reached. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184639 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 11:52:13 +0000 Grace 184639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would be awesome to get an invite like that! The only hitch I could see is if some ignore you and bring presents, thereby making the non-present bringers feel bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184638 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 11:52:04 +0000 BSB 184638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsHotDog: I guess I do have to ask you for your reasoning. Is it because your LO has enough toys and you don't have room for more toys? Or is there another reason. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184637 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 11:48:00 +0000 BSB 184637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It wouldn't bother me if I saw that. Saves me a trip of going to a toy store to pick something out. Although, maybe I might feel bad and give you a check instead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184585 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 10:40:29 +0000 brownie 184585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did a Peter pan party for his first birthday. Instead of gifts, we asked for donations to a children's hospital (specifically the one his cousins going to for cancer). Then we didn't get too much in the way of toys. The Peter pan foundation donates anothe $100 when you send the money in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184574 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 10:31:44 +0000 Mrs. Pen 184574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like the in lieu of gifts idea. What about books? For my shower my SIL had the idea of "in lieu of cards, please bring a children's book (old or new). So I got tons of books with special notes written inside! I loved it. I feel that with kids you can never go wrong with books!</p> <p>Or something similar, in lieu of gifts, please bring a note for LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184564 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 10:25:05 +0000 sandy 184564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe you can put something like "in lieu of gifts we would love it if you could make yourself available for a photo with LO"</p> <p>Or ask them to fill out an enclosed card that has "words of wisdom" or "wishes for you on your first birthday" and explain it will be included in a scrapbook. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184525 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 09:39:55 +0000 Rubies 184525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just like for weddings, I think it is best through word of mouth. Maybe you can tell a few family members and then have them spread it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184524 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 09:38:27 +0000 chopsuey 184524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's fine! I'm sure people will ignore you though :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184515 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 09:26:40 +0000 MrsHotDog 184515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oops. This probably shouldn't be in Charting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about#post-184514 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 09:26:15 +0000 MrsHotDog 184514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Putting "No Gifts Please" or "Your Presence is your Present" on a first birthday invite? We want to include this but I don't want it to rub anyone the wrong way. Does anyone have any better way to phrase it? Our guest list is 95% family and the rest are our close friends so I don't even know if anyone would even listen to us. </p>