My son has been invited to a classmate's birthday party. We don't know the child or family at all. The invitation says "no gifts, please." Do we really not bring anything?? Or just a card? I know this is a thing (and I completely understand/support it), I just feel awkward showing up empty handed!
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For me it depends on how well we know the child. If it’s one of DD’s really good friends we still give a gift but try to sneak it in or I text one of the parents about getting it to them before or after the party. But that applies to like 5 kids?
For other kids DD makes a card and we slip in stickers and/or temporary tattoos as a little something. I just can’t bring myself to show up completely empty handed.
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If you feel awkward send a card, but otherwise, especially since you don't know the child or family, I wouldn't send a gift. They probably want to avoid the influx of new toys right before a holiday (or at least I would).
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Don’t bring a gift! When we say that, we really mean it. A card is nice.
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I always mean it when I say it and I always follow it if someone asks! I do have the kids make a card. Seems like a good way to recognize the person (and have your child practice doing something nice for someone) without adding to toy clutter or spending money on a fancy card that gets tossed.
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@catgirl: @ladydi: @jj2626: @bhbee: Thank you so much! You made me feel more comfortable with the whole thing.
I will have my son draw a picture and maybe we'll throw in stickers. Otherwise, we'll call it a day & have fun at the party. Thanks!
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We just went to a kinder classmate’s party that requested no gifts - I bought a thin early reader book and used that as the card, had my son draw and write on the inside cover. They seemed to really like it, fun for the kid to get *something* different and no one hates getting more books (I hope)!
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We have done this for every party our kids have had. Because people feel uncomfortable not bringing a gift, we often say “No gifts needed, but if you would like to bring a donation to [local charity, usually a food bank], please feel free.” Then I link to the organization’s website. Everyone seems to respond well to this and then we drop off donations as a family. I do always have my kids bring a card when I see “no gifts” and I often put stickers inside or tape a small something (fun pen, wacky straw, etc) to the outside.
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I never brings gifts when it says no gifts.
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We have said "no gifts" for DS's birthday parties the last few years. It's for two reasons - I don't need a boatload of extra toys in the house, and also we live in a very economically diverse area. I don't want any of his friends to feel like they can't come because they can't afford to bring a present. Given that, I honestly always think it's nice when a few families bring something anyways. That way DS gets a few new toys without them taking over the house, and we make sure everyone feels comfortable.
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Several years back we were invited to a party that said no gifts. My daughter was disappointed but I had her make a card. We got there and no one else noticed it on the invitation or just ignored it and there was a huge pile of presents. Since then I normally bring a book, but have also had it happen when we’re the only one with a gift, so….
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Thanks everyone! We brought a card and slipped some stickers inside. Looks like most people adhered to the no gifts request, but there were some gift bags. Thanks for all of your advice & thoughts!
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@Miss Ariel: i had that happen too! Since then I bring a gift and leave it in the trunk. That way, if there’s a big pile, I can say “oh, we forgot the gift!” and run out and get it.
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@poppygirl15: For us, when an invitation says this, we bring a balloon.
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I will have my son draw a picture and maybe we'll throw in stickers. Otherwise, we'll call it a day & have fun at the party. Thanks!
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