No gifts at child's birthday?

Jagraf

Again, a statement. Instead of a party, why not have one special friend round and donate the party cost to the charity? I have no problem with that, but to spend a fortune on 15 kids and then state "all presents to charity" means the parents get what they want and the kids feel a bit different. Make a stand by not having s party, don't use kids to appear you have a charitable conscience.

bazzyb

When sending party invitations and such like, we often add "please, no gifts". However, this is for us as adults - we'd never put this on an invitation to a child's party. Having said that there is no way gifts would be expected at said child's party but children to enjoy to give and receive. Giving gifts teaches good lessons to children.

bazzyb

Mrs_Soup wrote: »

The whole point of a party for a 5 year old is to get presents.

Wow. What a terrible, selfish attitude.

fierystormcloud

Mrs_Soup wrote: »

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.

bazzyb wrote: »

Wow. What a terrible, selfish attitude.

LOL no it's not!

Get some perspective!

Having/bringing presents to a birthday party is what virtually everyone does FGS!

tanya2014

If the child was 15 and wanted to donate to a specific Charity etc thats different. Or the other end of the scale if the child was one years old and wouldnt realise thats different. A 5 year old is going to realise and it would be very hurt and upset and would probably be invited back and would see other children getting presents etc. Why not let the child enjoy her birthday and get a present. My kids used to love choosing a present to bring to Birthday parties too!

fierystormcloud

tanya2014 wrote: »

If the child was 15 and wanted to donate to a specific Charity etc thats different. Or the other end of the scale if the child was one years old and wouldnt realise thats different. A 5 year old is going to realise and it would be very hurt and upset and would probably be invited back and would see other children getting presents etc. Why not let the child enjoy her birthday and get a present. My kids used to love choosing a present to bring to Birthday parties too!

This ^^^ :T

A five year old will be quite upset, confused, and hurt at having no presents. I can't imagine why the OP is even thinking about this.

Why do you want to do this musogirl?

musogirl295

Fierystormcloud - thanks for your input. It's something I hadn't considered doing until DH mentioned it. In DD's class there are a number of children from less well off families and DH was concerned that they would feel excluded if they couldn't bring presents. Also we are quite concious about bringing DD up to be non materialistic and the whole point of her having a party is so that she can enjoy her birthday with her friends. Not to mention that there will be family members there that will provide more than enough presents for one day!

As I said in my previous post, having presented the varying opinions from this forum to DH we have decided to not put anything on the invites and just take things as they come.

meer53

OP, you are aware that you have to send each child home with a party bag too aren't you ?

musogirl295

Jagraf wrote: »

Again, a statement. Instead of a party, why not have one special friend round and donate the party cost to the charity? I have no problem with that, but to spend a fortune on 15 kids and then state "all presents to charity" means the parents get what they want and the kids feel a bit different. Make a stand by not having s party, don't use kids to appear you have a charitable conscience.

I certainly think/hope that it will be a case of inviting a couple of close friends in a year or two, however at the moment DD doesn't have a special friend and I think having at least one good party will be a great memory for her. Trust me, we have been very careful to not spend a fortune!

themull1

[QUOTE=indsty;68201426

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.[/QUOTE]

I personally wouldnt want my money/presents going to a charity i might not want to support, when my kids were little, they used to get a present or a card with money in and i would put them in a bag to open at home after the party has finished.

If the parents want to donate to a charity they can use their own money.