Hellobee Boards

I find invites that say 'no gifts' to be kind of awkward sometimes. Depending on how well the group knows each other, you don't know if others are going to bring gifts anyway and then you'll look bad for not bringing a gift (happens a lot!).

As a party-goer, I would just prefer the invite to not mention anything. People like buying gifts for kids

I wouldn't print anything on the invite since people will bring gifts anyway. Keep anything that you think your LO would truly enjoy and donate the rest to the pediatric wing of a local hospital.

I think it's absolutely appropriate to mention this with the invite. Many people don't even have ROOM for more toys/gifts. I think you could say something like "LO is blessed to have everything he needs and more- so no gifts please! If you'd like to give a gift, you can donate in his name to XYZ charity." I don't see how that could rub ANYONE the wrong way. It's perfectly fine to not need or want anything other than the presence of your family and friends! (You can even add that to the verbage.)

Then if anyone disregards the request, put the gifts out of sight at the party so other guests don't walk in to a table with gift(s) on it.

Ditto to what @kjpugs said! I'd love to see this on a party invite!

@kjpugs: I agree! LO still hasn't had a real birthday party yet, but I think when the time comes, I will add a line about no gifts. He has everything he needs and we are also minimalists and try to limit stuff accumulation.

I think kjpugs idea is fine, although I'd still feel like I should bring something (which is silly!). Or you could not say anything and if people ask what e wants so nothing but then that's awkward bc other ppl will give something. So I think that line would be good.

@78h2o: I have two friends that always say on their kids' bday invites: C and O would to support their friends at the Children's safe house so in lieu of gifts please bring a pack of diapers for the center. Or something along the lines of that.

@Jennimac: that's a great idea!

@78h2o: I think if you put the message in a cute rhyming poem, it will sound really clever and fun. I threw a book themed babyshower before since it was my BFF's 3rd baby and I used this poem:
"We don't need fancy clothes,
Or many toys to drive us wild.
Instead please bring a book,
That was your favorite as a child."

I think that you should definitely put something about no gifts on the invite. I really wanted to do that for LO's first bday, but we had several friends who'd had first birthday parties throughout the year and I felt like they wanted to bring LO a gift because we had brought them one... we did end up donating most of the new toys. Like you, we buy most things secondhand and try to minimize our impact. People want to express their love through gifts, but I am seeing "No gifts please" more and more and I think it is totally acceptable.

My SIL asked all of the guests to niece's 5th bday party to bring $5 to donate to the local zoo, since they love to go there. I thought it was so great that it was such a small amount so hopefully people didn't feel like they had to go overboard.