Is it rude to bring no gift to a birthday party that doesn’t say “no gifts”?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hosts have stated no gifts. How is it rude to honor their request?

Because it's a request, not a command. If they request I wear a costume when I don't have one, or specific color that I don't like, or swim suit when I don't plan to swim, then I'm not going to honor the request. Some people are into the themes and requests and some aren't.

Reread the thread title, people. The invite does not say no gifts. It doesn’t mention gifts!

Reread the post you're replying to. "The host stated no gifts..." The conversation has evolved.

No. The PP who wrote "the host stated no gifts" also completely misunderstood the OP (which really was not unclear). OP is asking if it is rude to show up withOUT a gift to a bday party that is NOT a "no gift" party. In other words, is it rude not to bring a gift to a child's birthday party when the invitation said nothing about gifts. I really don't know why so many people -- unhelpfully -- told OP that it would be rude to bring a gift to a "no gift" party. Not her question AT ALL!

I think a guest who does not bring a gift to bday party where the invitation was silent as to gifts would be in the minority, so in that sense it would be weird. Not sure if it would also be rude. I know I really wouldn't care personally. But it is unusual OP, for sure.

It hardly matters because people are now talking about hypotheticals and what others do. This post is old, i doubt OP is still hanging around for advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, OP. I am not even going to read the other responses. If a an invitation says "no gifts" then it is rude to go against the host's explicit requests.

Ha, you don't have to read the other response but you should probably read the op.

It’s 5 years old!

[Anonymous]

It is cheap if they don't bring a gift when invitation did not mention anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I hosted the party, my son’s good friend from school didn’t bring a gift. The parent came to pick him up and no gift. My son doesn’t seem to care but for some weird reason I am offended.
Most probably because of my upbringing. I thought maybe it was more of a norm here? But I guess not!

did you read the other posts. Almost ALL of them say it is rude to host a party and expect a gift and it is rude to attend a birthday party without a gift (unless the instruction says so). Which means you are as rude as your son's friend's mom!

I vote for she has a lot going on and just couldn't squeeze one more thing in. I've shown up at a party with a really crappy, nicely wrapped coloring book because of a confluence of bad events. I am sure the very gracious, always kind mom didn't think twice about it.

NP. Your attitude just sucks. You sound like a free loader.

[Anonymous]

WTH? Why would you revive a 5 year old thread? And we are fools to respond to someone who posted 5 years ago.

[Anonymous]

If the invitation explicitly says “no gifts”’- do not bring a gift. It puts all other attendees who followed the rule in an awkward place. If the invitation says nothing - it is implied that you do bring a gift.

[Anonymous]

If the invitation specifically says do not bring a gift, don’t. The hosts have their reasons, lack of space/small home, some other guests may not be able to afford gifts and rather than make them feel uncomfortable the host specified that no one should bring anything.

If the invitation makes no mention of gifts, and invites usually do not demand gifts in the US, it is tradition to bring a gift.

If you can not afford a gift and are a close friend, have your kid make a card. The birthday kid would rather have their friends at the party than exclude them over them not having the money. And kids know which of their friends are broke and they invited you anyways so they don’t care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not rude, but I'm wondering why you wouldn't get a gift for a kid's birthday party. They get so much joy out of unwrapping a $5 set of silly string cans that I can't imagine not bringing something.

And see…that’s why people say no gifts. No playdoh, no silly string, no slime, and none of that shapable sand crap please