Received birthday invite- parents asked for vacation funding

[Anonymous]

yes, tacky, but who gives a shit. Just give her the 15 dollar Disney gift card and enjoy not having to think about this for one second more. (really, who cares if other people are tacky).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's tacky, but I can actually see how the parents heads could have cluelessly gone there. "Larla has so much stuff already, so we don't want piles of stuff. She's getting big enough for gift cards, and we're going to Disney, so let her have some thing to use when we get there. That can be a helpful suggestion". The problem is it should have been a suggestion for when asked, not put on the invite.

So while I don't really like being instructed to buy things, I'd also be happy to know what to get that's easy.

+1

While I would never do it myself, I can see this happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes, tacky, but who gives a shit. Just give her the 15 dollar Disney gift card and enjoy not having to think about this for one second more. (really, who cares if other people are tacky).

+1

yes, it's super tacky, but I hate having to pick out birthday gifts for kids so I'd love something mindless like this.

[Anonymous]

I'd be happy to get an invitation that tells me what the kid would love to get! Whether I follow that, is a different story, but at least the hosts have helped you out.

[Anonymous]

People, they might receive financial aid from the school and feel pressure to go to Disney to keep up. My DD has bugged me for years to go because a lot of her class mates have been. Some with grand parent help. Don't judge. Respect the hosts wishes or don't go. Whatever you would have spend on the toy $15-$20 cash with a card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I don't get all the drama. I have a special needs child and we are grateful when he gets an invite to a birthday party. We would happily get the gift card, and wish the family a wonderful trip.

+1

[Anonymous]

I'd just decline

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd just decline

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How could the family afford private school if they need help to go to Disney. 35k can fund 10 Disney trips.

Maybe the kid is there on scholarship. Maybe the grandparents pay for it.

Still tacky though. If your DC is really good friend with the birthday kid, I'd go but give a Disney themed gift (or not, hell, give whatever you'd normally give!)

If not good friends, I'd skip it.

[Anonymous]

It is a REQUEST, people, not a demand.
And, if it's what the birthday child wants, why diss?
Lots of kids dream of going to Disney - except your special snowflakes, because you have kept it a secret from them.

Calm down and do whatever you want, but stop judging this family. They're not asking to drink your blood!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Need some advice on how to handle this birthday invite.
My DC received an invite to a classmates birthday party. On the invite, it stated that the family was taking a vacation to Disney World this year. In lieu of gifts, please give Disney gift cards to make Larla's Disney dreams come true.
I cannot decide whether this is super tacky and I should be bothered; or just let it go. Do I fund their vacation and give a gift card, ignore the request and let my DC pick out an appropriate gift, or just skip the party all together? We are at a private school with 20 kids in the class if that factors at all.

Thoughts?

Just reading this. WTH? I would ignore the parents and give the child what you want them to have. Child is not responsible for having ignorant parents.

[Anonymous]

NP. And, I am also from a different culture, so reading up this thread with a curious view.

Realistically speaking, your child by this age would have most everything (i.e., toys, books, etc.). I agree that the "request" on the invitation was a rather un-smart way to address the point, but how else one say, "we have many of the stuff already and therefore could use something else for his/her birthday"??

I mean, this looks rather similar to baby shower/wedding registry. I see some couple put a request for a specific gift card or even a fund for a dream honeymoon/new crib, etc. on the baby shower/wedding registry. So, what's the difference?

[Anonymous]

Weird and something I would never do in a billion years, but go ahead and give her the gift card. Give the parents the benefit of the doubt - she doesn't need more Legos but would really love a photo with Ariel or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. And, I am also from a different culture, so reading up this thread with a curious view.

Realistically speaking, your child by this age would have most everything (i.e., toys, books, etc.). I agree that the "request" on the invitation was a rather un-smart way to address the point, but how else one say, "we have many of the stuff already and therefore could use something else for his/her birthday"??

I mean, this looks rather similar to baby shower/wedding registry. I see some couple put a request for a specific gift card or even a fund for a dream honeymoon/new crib, etc. on the baby shower/wedding registry. So, what's the difference?

It's sort of an unspoken rule that gifts are welcome but not required when children attend a classmate's birthday party. Any gift should seem like a welcome surprise-- of course it's not- because failing bring a gift is also be considered incredibly tacky (so no winning that one).

When a family puts a gofundme on the invitation- they are essentially cutting through the social fabric, and letting everyone know they are expecting gifts and what they would enjoy receiving (when they're supposed to act grateful for receiving anything). Exception is when the family asks for donations to a charity on the invitation.

[Anonymous]

Sure, it's tacky, but who cares? Does it impact you at all? Why would you not go and punish the kid because of his parents? Those of You who say you'd skip the party are way worse than the parents.