No gifts at child's birthday?

milliemonster

I'm also pretty astonished you're holding a party for a 5 year old and not wanting gifts for your child, if I had received an invite for my child with a 'no gifts please' written on the invitation I'd find it a bit weird to be honest, it is a children's party tradition and I would just leave it up to the other parents to decide what and if they want to bring a present.

Just enjoy being parents of a toddler and all that it brings, they grow up pretty fast you know

Mrs_Soup

The whole point of a party for a 5 year old is to get presents. Bit mean to say no gifts when its for someone else. It is also nice for children to give a gift . Most people don't spend a fortune but I don't tend to ask what the child would like - they get something I have chosen for between £5-10 unless it is the "best friend" when I will ask the parents or may know a bit more about the childs specific interests.

musogirl295

Thanks for all your opinions. I have presented the various arguments to DH and he has come around to my way of thinking! So we will not be putting anything on the invites, which as just as well as the space on them is very small!

DD is so excited about having a party I don't think she will really notice the presents until later on in the day anyway. Thanks for the info on present opening etiquette. We haven't had any experience of this yet as the parties DD has been invited to so far have all been while we've been away.

purpleshoes_2

It actually amazes me that there is present opening etiquette. I was talking to a friend who has two kids and she was telling me that its a huge round of parties these days with people all trying to out do one another and she and her husband spent far too much money (not astronomical sums but more than they could afford) on hiring a hall and an entertainer and this year they wont be doing that. They've also in the past taken their sons entire class of classmates for a day out to a local kids centre but have said this year, their oldest son is going on a day out with a few of his friends and that's it.

Making myself sound like an antique here (which I am), but kids parties when I was growing up comprised of having some friends round to your house, a few games, some ice cream and jelly and I can't ever remember thinking, that was rubbish.

I also saw on someone's facebook feeds the amount of money that gets spent on some kids for easter (am digressing here), not just eggs, loads of money spent on presents. Changed times indeed.

Indie_Kid

purpleshoes wrote: »

Making myself sound like an antique here (which I am), but kids parties when I was growing up comprised of having some friends round to your house, a few games, some ice cream and jelly and I can't ever remember thinking, that was rubbish.

I am not that old and remember those days too.

tanya2014

I am sorry but I think it is beyond cruel to have a Birthday Party for a 5 year old and to ensure the child in question does not get presents!!!!

Jagraf

I'm not sure what the point is really. If its because of extravagance, then don't have a party. If you're not worried about extravagance, then surely presents are ok.

I remember DD going to a party where the the statement of the day was "healthy food only" so none of the kids enjoyed themselves, all ended up tired and hungry.

Parents and their lifestyle statements :cool:

indsty

A birthday party is (or used to be) an opportunity for the birthday girl/boy to feel special, to have fun, to be happy and to have some friends or family with them to share it all. No child requires to get a present from 10 or 15 other children - most of which will probably get very little use or appreciation. Parents have to begin to take sensible decisions and stop trying to outdo one another.

One friend had "any presents or monies received at the party will be donated to ... (local children's charity)." Everyone thought that was absolutely great, and taught all the children so much. And they all still had a fantastic fun time.

Errata

Parents seem to tie themselves in knots these days over their kids birthday parties. I guess the bottom line is don't dictate to guests what they can and can't do.

fierystormcloud

indsty wrote: »

A birthday party is (or used to be) an opportunity for the birthday girl/boy to feel special, to have fun, to be happy and to have some friends or family with them to share it all. No child requires to get a present from 10 or 15 other children - most of which will probably get very little use or appreciation. Parents have to begin to take sensible decisions and stop trying to outdo one another.

One friend had "any presents or monies received at the party will be donated to ... (local children's charity)." Everyone thought that was absolutely great, and taught all the children so much. And they all still had a fantastic fun time.

Good idea.

For a 5 year old though...................? Not sure she will understand or be very happy about it.