40th Birthday No Presents Required

rsdiscos

Hi All,

I'm having a party in a couple of months for my 40th, but as I don't drink, and if I was going to a 40th i'd bring a bottle of wine, I'd prefer guests to make a small donation to a charity close to my heart - just not sure how to word it on the invitation!

Any help would be much appreciated!

Ta very muchly!

bouncydog1

"No presents please - just your presence". However if you feel you want to mark the occasion my favourite charity is X and further information can be found at......."

themull1

I would just put no presents just your presence. I think its a bit rude to force people to donate to a charity. Why say anything?

Katiehound

themull1 wrote: »

I would just put no presents just your presence. I think its a bit rude to force people to donate to a charity. Why say anything?

You aren't forcing anyone to do anything.

You could just say " Your presence at my party would be wonderful, no presents please but if you wish to give a token gift then donations to charity X would be most welcome"

Personally I would rather give a cash donation to someone's favourite charity than puzzle out what to buy for them with the idea in the back of my mind that it maybe wasn't suitable and it would be thrown/given away- in which case money wasted.

LilacLillie

This has become very acceptable in recent years and I don't think anyone that knows you personally will be offended.
LL

Mojisola

themull1 wrote: »

I would just put no presents just your presence. I think its a bit rude to force people to donate to a charity. Why say anything?

If you don't give people another option, quite a few will end up buying a present because they don't feel comfortable coming to a birthday party (especially a significant one) empty-handed.

We did the "no flowers, donate to charity if you wish" request at both my parents' funerals. I don't think anyone felt forced to give a donation.

ERICS_MUM

giving to charity would be anonymous, as you wouldn't know who had given and who had not so your guests shouldn't feel under pressure to give or offended at the suggestion. I think it's a good idea.

Katiehound

and after all that- hope you have a superdooper 40th birthday party! (and that your favourite charity gets a little something too)

Torry_Quine

I think it's a very good idea and most people will probably give something.

I had to laugh though at the idea that a bottle of wine is the gift of choice, I would give an actual present.