Gift language on party invite?

[Anonymous]

Our daughters' birthdays are only two weeks apart (they are turning 3 and 5 soon). Due to some scheduling conflicts this year, we are throwing them a joint birthday party and inviting all of the kids in both of their preschool classes and their after school program. Some of the kids are mutual friends with both of our girls and if we were throwing two parties, they would likely be invited to both parties. Others really only know one of our girls from class.

We're not sure how to handle gift language on the invitation for this party. Any suggestions? We're not trying to set up a gift grab situation and actually two parties makes it easier for the mutual friends to just get them a shared gift and be done with it. But we don't want people to feel like they need to get both of our girls a gift, especially if they don't know one of them.

[Anonymous]

Do they really need gifts? Can you just say no gifts please?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t comment on gifts, just make the fact that it’s a joint party clear. People might bring no gifts, gifts for one, or gifts for both. Don’t worry about it.

[Anonymous]

Just say no gifts. Otherwise it's awkward for the attendees.

[Anonymous]

It’s tacky to mention gifts on the invitation.

[Anonymous]

Do you really need 40 gifts? Probabky not. Do a separate invite for each kid so that there is no confusion on who they should be buying a gift for. Don’t send out a joint party invite. People will think they need to buy two gifts. Say no gifts or say nothing about gifts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just say no gifts. Otherwise it's awkward for the attendees.

I’m not usually a no gifts person, but I agree it’s the best, least awkward solution in this situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t comment on gifts, just make the fact that it’s a joint party clear. People might bring no gifts, gifts for one, or gifts for both. Don’t worry about it.

This. Esp your 5 year old will want gifts, and it's their birthday, that's OK.

[Anonymous]

I agree - I just wouldn't comment and people can figure it out for themselves. I took DD to a joint birthday party for 3 and 5 year old sisters. DD was friends with the 3 year old and it never crossed my mind to buy them both gifts - we just brought one for the kid we knew. In retrospect, maybe I should have brought something for her friend to? But I certainly didn't lose sleep over it and I don't think the birthday family did either.

[Anonymous]

See, I would’ve bought gifts for both girls because I would’ve felt bad buying a gift for just one of them.

You can either say no gifts, or how about when you send separate invitations, without mentioning at the joint party. That might not help for the people who know both of them, but it might help a large segment.

[Anonymous]

Don’t comment on gifts on the invite.

[Anonymous]

The one time I had a joint party for my kids, I did separate invites. Only a couple of very close friends, with kids the same ages as both of mine, knew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our daughters' birthdays are only two weeks apart (they are turning 3 and 5 soon). Due to some scheduling conflicts this year, we are throwing them a joint birthday party and inviting all of the kids in both of their preschool classes and their after school program. Some of the kids are mutual friends with both of our girls and if we were throwing two parties, they would likely be invited to both parties. Others really only know one of our girls from class.

We're not sure how to handle gift language on the invitation for this party. Any suggestions? We're not trying to set up a gift grab situation and actually two parties makes it easier for the mutual friends to just get them a shared gift and be done with it. But we don't want people to feel like they need to get both of our girls a gift, especially if they don't know one of them.

How about your presence is our gift! No gifts necessary

[Anonymous]

Say No gifts - they will still get a few anyway, but people won't feel pressured to buy two gifts.

[Anonymous]

Either say no gifts or do three separate invitations -- one that looks like it is a party for the 3 year old only, one that looks like it is for hte 5 year old only, and one that shows it is a joint party. Send the appropriate invitation to the appropriate people.