No gift birthday parties

[Anonymous]

I know most kids don't need any more toys and if a parent says "no gifts please" I understand they may have space constraints and more clutter is an issue.

What could I bring so the child gets something but not a formal gift? I assume they will already have balloons.

Maybe an edible treat?

My child will make a card too.

[Anonymous]

Card with stickers or an activity book.

But really fine to do no gift and a homemade card.

[Anonymous]

Card with stickers is what i usually did.

[Anonymous]

Handmade card and nothing else. When people make an effort to say no gifts, they mean it.

[Anonymous]

I often say no gifts, especially if it’s party where we invited the whole class. I am totally fine if guests bring nothing. Most bring a card (many handmade by the kid). Sometimes we get a small gift card (like $10 or less) or a sticker sheet or some Pokémon cards stuffed inside.

[Anonymous]

Card and stickers at most. Don’t bring food.

[Anonymous]

Depends on age and interests of birthday child. We have done just a card (usually homemade, sometimes store bought but always w a personal message written inside). My kids have made a little bead necklace or bracelet to stick in the card, or put in stickers or temporary tattoos, my son has put in a cool coin from his coin collection or a sports card he thinks a friend would want. Something small that can fit in a card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Handmade card and nothing else. When people make an effort to say no gifts, they mean it.

Agree. When we have done this, most kids give homemade cards. They good friends may slip one of their prized Pokémon cards inside or something similar personal .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Handmade card and nothing else. When people make an effort to say no gifts, they mean it.

+1

And when some guests go out of their way to break the "no gifts" rule it makes the other guests feel bad even though they followed directions. As a host it can also make you feel weirdly obligated -- one reason we do no gift parties is because we have our kids do thank you cards for gifts and it's already hard enough to get a 5 year old to help you do thank yous for extended family and godparents. Throw in another 8 gifts from their friend party and it's such a chore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Handmade card and nothing else. When people make an effort to say no gifts, they mean it.

Op what do you think no gifts means?

[Anonymous]

I’ve yet to attend a no gifts party where there were no gifts. People never follow the ask. Parents also never decline the gifts, I now get something small like sunstaches or wearable fun silly item so my child doesn’t look like the kid who didn’t bring a gift.

[Anonymous]

I feel like saying no gifts is a bit rude. Nothing you bring is wanted! We prefer high end things. But I also know many kids have plenty to play with.

[Anonymous]

Handmade card with a $10 gift card for the local ice cream spot.

[Anonymous]

My girls take a card and either make something like a bracelet or get one of those small little backpack keychains and attach it to the card.

[Anonymous]

We attend plenty of these parties and we also say "no gifts please" for our kids parties. A card is fine. Or nothing at all! We know everyone is busy and we are happy for people just to show up and let the kids play without also having to buy/wrap/bring a gift.