Are kids birthday party gifts a thing of the past?

[Anonymous]

Oldest is only four but I think all the parties have been “no gifts.” I so prefer it. We make a card. The kids get plenty of gifts from their families.

[Anonymous]

My kids are 9 and 11 and have been invited to one no gifts party ever between the two of them. Fortunately now they're at the small party stage. It would be sad to have a 5 person party and not get gifts! At these ages, they pick out gifts for each other and it's really sweet.

[Anonymous]

From probably 6yrs + my kids friends have chosen gifts specifically for them and what they like. More for my daughters than my son. My kids like picking out gifts too for others.

Maybe don’t invite dozens of kids to your parties. Under 10 is nice. Under 8 even better.

[Anonymous]

We did "no gifts" through elementary school when parties were pretty big. Dropped it in middle school when kid was ready to go pick out gifts for their friends themselves and parties got smaller, so going to fewer each year.

Loved that most parties were "no gift."

My kids also got on board because they knew they'd have to hand write a thank you note for any gifts they received.

[Anonymous]

We've mostly done no gifts parties and mostly attended them, but we live in a very family oriented neighborhood in a big city where everyone is in small apartments and there's just common acknowledgement that few people have the space for 20 new toys. It hasn't seemed to scar my kids or any of their friends, it's just kind of integrated into the culture of local parties.

[Anonymous]

Just got an invite...if you insist on a gift, please brig a book. Of course everyone then brought a book. Please leave it at no gifts. Specifying boarders rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are 9 and 11 and have been invited to one no gifts party ever between the two of them. Fortunately now they're at the small party stage. It would be sad to have a 5 person party and not get gifts! At these ages, they pick out gifts for each other and it's really sweet.

your kids sound like greedy little pigs with such a focus on gifts at those ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are 9 and 11 and have been invited to one no gifts party ever between the two of them. Fortunately now they're at the small party stage. It would be sad to have a 5 person party and not get gifts! At these ages, they pick out gifts for each other and it's really sweet.

your kids sound like greedy little pigs with such a focus on gifts at those ages.

Not sure how you got greedy little pigs with a huge focus on gifts out of that, but ooookay.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if this differs by area or income level or something else. I’m always shocked by how committed the people on DCUM are to gifts at kids’ birthday parties. We never do gifts, and almost no one in our circle does.

[Anonymous]

I’m so used to birthday parties being “no gifts” that I usually forget to bring one if the invitation doesn’t specify.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are 9 and 11 and have been invited to one no gifts party ever between the two of them. Fortunately now they're at the small party stage. It would be sad to have a 5 person party and not get gifts! At these ages, they pick out gifts for each other and it's really sweet.

your kids sound like greedy little pigs with such a focus on gifts at those ages.

Agreed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate the no gifts thing. Let your kid enjoy childhood.

This!

[Anonymous]

My kids friends are mostly Asian (he is half Asian). All we give and receive are envelopes with $ or gift cards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate the no gifts thing. Let your kid enjoy childhood.

This! And my daughter loves picking out gifts for her friends. It’s taught her to be really thoughtful and ask her friends good questions so that she can pick out gifts she knows they’ll appreciate.

[Anonymous]

We ask for no gifts when we invite the whole class. I dont want it to be a barrier to come.