Feeling terrible for not bringing a gift to a no gifts party when others did

[Anonymous]

I'm not in the kid birthday party cohort, but if I was I would simply note on the wrapped gift which kid bought it to my no gifts party, and send it back when his birthday comes around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not in the kid birthday party cohort, but if I was I would simply note on the wrapped gift which kid bought it to my no gifts party, and send it back when his birthday comes around.

That works. My kids usually give stuff the enjoy.

[Anonymous]

I’m seriously wondering why you would feel terrible about this. Is that just hyperbole? It seems like such an outsize reaction for such a small thing. Who will remember whether someone bought something or what they brought even a short time later? This is completely unimportant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not in the kid birthday party cohort, but if I was I would simply note on the wrapped gift which kid bought it to my no gifts party, and send it back when his birthday comes around.

We often bring gifts from unopened toys we have from past birthdays and holidays that haven't gotten played with yet. But thanks for holding on to it for a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m seriously wondering why you would feel terrible about this. Is that just hyperbole? It seems like such an outsize reaction for such a small thing. Who will remember whether someone bought something or what they brought even a short time later? This is completely unimportant.

Because people are accustomed to not showing up to parties empty handed. They are uncomfortable with it when they leave their houses because it is pretty much a universal norm to bring gifts to parties.

Once they get there and everyone else brought something, it reinforces that discomfort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just do a card. No gifts means parents don’t want gifts. I think the people who bring them are rude.

+1. I believe in respecting other people's wishes.

A card is a gift...

Not by itself. It is a greeting.

Loopholes. 😆

[Anonymous]

Make a card. Bring a lollipop or a candy bar. A cookie from a bakery. Don’t bring a gift.

I asked for no gifts and someone brought a make your own boba tea kit. It was nice. Edible gift if you have to. No stuff that can become junk or trash in my house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The people saying to bring a gift bc it can be donated….NO! I told you not to bring a gift, you don’t get to then assign me a chore. If you can’t follow directions, don’t come.

The fact that you'd rather children not show up to celebrate with your kid than deal with donating gifts from their parents says all we need to know about you.

Spell this out in your invite: " No gifts please. If you can't come empty- handed, don't come."

Some other " no gifts" parents are fine putting the gifts in the trash or donating them, just like some of us do with most of the party favors. We don't want to mix up your type with these parents. Make it clear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make a card. Bring a lollipop or a candy bar. A cookie from a bakery. Don’t bring a gift.

I asked for no gifts and someone brought a make your own boba tea kit. It was nice. Edible gift if you have to. No stuff that can become junk or trash in my house.

I am not OP, but thanks for this suggestion. What about a book?

My DDs usually know what books their friends are interested in.

[Anonymous]

I do a card because decorating the card with stickers and writing a note is something that my child enjoys and it is good for my kid to practice writing notes. Sometimes my kid makes something like a name bead keychain or one of those Taylor Swift type bracelet things if it's a good friend that will like it. Feel free to trash it, it keeps my child busy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make a card. Bring a lollipop or a candy bar. A cookie from a bakery. Don’t bring a gift.

I asked for no gifts and someone brought a make your own boba tea kit. It was nice. Edible gift if you have to. No stuff that can become junk or trash in my house.

I am not OP, but thanks for this suggestion. What about a book?

My DDs usually know what books their friends are interested in.

There really is no need to bring a book, which is a gift. Have your kid make a card and writer a nice note.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make a card. Bring a lollipop or a candy bar. A cookie from a bakery. Don’t bring a gift.

I asked for no gifts and someone brought a make your own boba tea kit. It was nice. Edible gift if you have to. No stuff that can become junk or trash in my house.

Do not bring anything including candy, cookie, pie, cake, sandwich! The only thing the invitation asks you to bring is the person who is invited!!! Why is this so difficult to understand???!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do a card because decorating the card with stickers and writing a note is something that my child enjoys and it is good for my kid to practice writing notes. Sometimes my kid makes something like a name bead keychain or one of those Taylor Swift type bracelet things if it's a good friend that will like it. Feel free to trash it, it keeps my child busy.

The party is not about your child and you should be teaching your child how to follow directions.

[Anonymous]

You say "no gifts" . You bring a gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do a card because decorating the card with stickers and writing a note is something that my child enjoys and it is good for my kid to practice writing notes. Sometimes my kid makes something like a name bead keychain or one of those Taylor Swift type bracelet things if it's a good friend that will like it. Feel free to trash it, it keeps my child busy.

The party is not about your child and you should be teaching your child how to follow directions.

You should be teaching yours to be a gracious host. Stop huffing and puffing about insignificant things.