Party Etiquette

Katgrit

FBaby wrote: »

Was going to say that no I hadn't, but suddenly remembered that we were invited to the wedding of an old work colleague of OH,

The worse part of it though.... despite giving them £50, we never got a thank you card. I'd never met them before, and no need to say that we haven't seen them since, hence why I forgot about them!

Flipping eck. I'm stunned that anyone would give an EX colleague, that one of you has never met, £50!! Maybe I'm just too Northern and brought up with a working class mentality, but.....£50. £50 to someone that half of you & OH don't know. £50. Fifty pounds. Fifty. Pounds. Nope, it doesn't matter how many times I say it, it still stuns me.

redpete

Serendipitious wrote: »

I wouldn't intervene regarding presents. He's only 5 after all and is probably really looking forward to his gifts.

Young enough not too have been given an expectation that birthdays or parties mean lots of presents.

redpete

balletshoes wrote: »

because we're talking about a child's birthday party, and whether we like it or not, there is an etiquette there, in that its the norm to bring a present when you're invited to the party. I don't have a problem with the OP's sentiment, but she should expect that her child will be getting presents from the kids who turn up to the party.

So it would be bad etiquette to turn up to a party without a gift if nothing had been said about presents beforehand, as the host there is no problem in saying that they are not expected.

FenellaWitch

Thank you everyone for all your replies, it has has been interesting seeing different perspectives. I know that my son will not care whether he has presents or not, he will want to have fun with his friends,run around, dance and eat cake .
Ok, I cannot dictate to people as to buying gifts - that's their choice but I would rather they didn't but as people have pointed out , it is difficult to convey this. Having said that, it will be my choice as to what happens to said gift in the end.