Explaining 'no gifts please' to your kids

[Anonymous]

Please. Most kids have tons of stuff already and get multiple gifts from family members. No one is said they didn’t get 30 more gifts from their whole class party- if they are, you have a spoiled child. My kids pick- invite closest few friends and I put no stipulations on gifts, but if they want to have 6+ kids coming, it’s no gifts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Would you open 20+ gifts, write the notes, and then take the toys back? Toys that are just forgotten in a jumble of other toys within days or weeks? My kids have plenty of toys and would rather have a big party 18-25 kids at a fun venue than have 20+ small toys.

Our solution is not to invite 20 kids.

A much smaller party, 5-7 kids, like we did in our youth. Very pleasant.

Your youth. In my youth, parties were big and fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Would you open 20+ gifts, write the notes, and then take the toys back? Toys that are just forgotten in a jumble of other toys within days or weeks? My kids have plenty of toys and would rather have a big party 18-25 kids at a fun venue than have 20+ small toys.

Our solution is not to invite 20 kids.

A much smaller party, 5-7 kids, like we did in our youth. Very pleasant.

Your youth. In my youth, parties were big and fun.

We do this NOW. It's not a time period decision, it's a family choice.

[Anonymous]

Funny that some posters think fun can only be had at big parties. Our small parties are a lot of fun.

Our kids prefer smaller celebrations.

[Anonymous]

We let our kids know that the party or celebration is the gift. No needs for extra “stuff.”

[Anonymous]

You anti no gift people are unhinged. It does not deprive my kids one bit. They get tons of gifts each year from family members.

[Anonymous]

Surprised at all the people who think a no gifts party is performative in some way. It isn’t normal to have gifts at every party in our circle either. We still invite the whole class to parties, and there’s no way I want an additional 25 gifts in the house, even “spaced out over a few weeks.” That’s nuts. I will stop putting “no gifts please” on the invites when my kids get older and start inviting a handful of close friends only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Would you open 20+ gifts, write the notes, and then take the toys back? Toys that are just forgotten in a jumble of other toys within days or weeks? My kids have plenty of toys and would rather have a big party 18-25 kids at a fun venue than have 20+ small toys.

Our solution is not to invite 20 kids.

A much smaller party, 5-7 kids, like we did in our youth. Very pleasant.

Your youth. In my youth, parties were big and fun.

We do this NOW. It's not a time period decision, it's a family choice.

That was my point.

[Anonymous]

If an invitation says "no gifts," you tell your kids that. If you are throwing a no gift party, you tell them that you are requesting no gifts from guests. This isn't a concept too difficult for a kid to grasp (even if adults seem to struggle with it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Funny that some posters think fun can only be had at big parties. Our small parties are a lot of fun.

Our kids prefer smaller celebrations.

Posters have said a big party without gifts is fun and their family's preference. That's isn't the same as saying fun can only be had at big parties. No one has said a small party with gifts can't be fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If an invitation says "no gifts," you tell your kids that. If you are throwing a no gift party, you tell them that you are requesting no gifts from guests. This isn't a concept too difficult for a kid to grasp (even if adults seem to struggle with it).

+1.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully, the kid will counter with " No gifts is fine. Have fun at my party. I am sending my regrets and will not be attending".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Your birthday is all about me. I know you're new to this world but I've been here for years and I'm tired. I'm tired of all the things you find new and exciting, so we're just cutting them out. You understand, don't you Larla? It's so boring to get gifts these days. What, it's not boring for you? Well then you're being selfish! What about mommy? I mean, all the plastic in the world?"

It usually goes over well. Don't worry so much about what they think and feel and you're be fine.

What? How about they already got 20 presents from parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and various others besides their school friends. Kids should be able to understand excess

Ok, and? You put some away and give them out every few weeks. Problem solved. It's their birthday. A bit of excess is ok.

Oh great, something else for me to manage - gift backstock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You anti no gift people are unhinged. It does not deprive my kids one bit. They get tons of gifts each year from family members.

Maybe your kids do. Mine have no family who gift gifts anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You anti no gift people are unhinged. It does not deprive my kids one bit. They get tons of gifts each year from family members.

Maybe your kids do. Mine have no family who gift gifts anymore.

Dp. If you want gifts at your party, you can still do that.