As a guest, which do you prefer - gift or no gift parties?
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Anonymous
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I have zero preferences as a guest. Either is totally fine.
Being on the receiving end now for several years with kids in late elementary, I would say that 50% of gifts max get used, no matter how well intentioned. My kids are old enough now that exchanging with close friends is really fun for them, but I'd go back and make those early, all-class parties "no gifts" in a heartbeat. |
Anonymous
| I prefer gift parties. Any non-gift parties I end up going back and forth on whether to bring a gift and I show up with nothing and I see a stack of gifts. It's just easier for me to bring something. |
Anonymous
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As a guest, I prefer no gift parties, just because it's one less thing to worry about (although this year we've gotten everyone the same board game so it's less of a hassle), but I'm happy to do whatever the parent wants.
As a parent, I'd always love to have fewer toys in the house, but my daughter really connects with the stuff she gets from friends and family. She prefers the "so and so got me this Barbie" Barbie to the one we get her almost every time. We also never do whole class parties (we've got a guest list of 11 for an upcoming party and that's almost double what we've ever done), so we're not inundated with gifts. |
Anonymous
| I prefer gift options. I put registry link but also write please come with or without a gift, we are looking forward to spending time together on Larlos special day. This way people don’t feel obligated to show up with something on party day. Most people send registry gifts directly to your house. I wrap them and let kids open on their birthday. I don’t tell them specifically who sent what just say these gifts are from your friends and family at your party. This keeps eyes off who did or didn’t bring a gift by kids and other guests and those that can’t or don’t want to bring them don’t feel left out. We don’t open gifts on party day unless asked by a specific guest and then we do so privately. Kids send thank you cards to everyone that sent a gift or came to the party regardless of whether gift was received or not. We thank them for spending time with us on their special day but make no mention of gifts received. We focus instead on a fun moment from the party or something we enjoy when spending time with that person. |
Anonymous
| As both host and guest, I prefer "no-gift" parties. Easier all around. The point is to be together and celebrate. |
Anonymous
+1- too many gifts and kids don’t even appreciate them- parents & child are both overwhelmed. Completely agree with getting together and celebrating without gifts. |
Anonymous
| Definitely prefer gifts for younger children |
Anonymous
+1 plus I enjoy choosing gifts and teaching my children the joy of giving! For our own parties, we bring excess gifts on trips to grandparents/cousin’s homes so our home doesn’t get too crowded and kids have activities to enjoy while elsewhere. |
Anonymous
| I don't care either way. If gifts, it can be fun to pick something out. If no gifts, one less thing to think about. It really makes no difference at all to me. |
Anonymous
| Don't really care either way. On one hand, my kid loves picking out gifts for her friends so it turns into a fun outing for us. On the other hand, its easier to just get a card. |
Anonymous
The only wording I struggle with is “gifts not necessary.” In those cases there always ends up being a pile of gifts anyway and I don’t know what to do. When it explicitly says, “no gifts please” IME people are pretty good about respecting that. Otherwise I don’t care either way- obviously easier on me not to get a gift (although I usually have the kids make a card) but kids are also at the age where they like picking stuff out for their friends. |
Anonymous
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OP here. Thanks for the feedback. We will not do a gift registry and it is his whole class plus at his party.
I think we’ll do No Gifts. |
Anonymous
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I do prefer no gifts as a guest. It is a bit easier.
That being said, my DD is turning 6 and is abolutley interested in gifts. No way could I have a no gifts party for her now. But she also considers drawing, bead necklaces and anything handmade to be awesome gifts too. |
Anonymous
| I definitely prefer no gift parties. |
Anonymous
| No gift parties. |