I would likely bring a card with some fun stickers so I don't arrive empty handed, but I assume the host doesn't want gifts.

We always have a book drive or toy drive in lieu of gifts. That way, the guests don't feel awkward showing up with nothing and we don't have a bunch of gifts we don't want, and a worthy charity gets a donation. Everyone wins!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here-- to the PP who genuinely doesn't want gifts, could you please put "no gifts please" on the invite instead? I'm happy to respect your preference but I can only do that if I know about it.

NP here: maybe they think the phrasing of "no gifts necessary" is less obnoxious than "no gifts please"

Maybe so, but it's confusing. I the PP's "your presence is your present." Clear, but not phrased as an order. This is OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:*hides*

Here we go.

I've done this. I genuinely don't want gifts. If someone brings one, I will graciously accept it, but I don't want guests to go to additional trouble/spend money/give us stuff we don't need.

A good example of why a no-gifts policy is a poor idea. It is going to make someone feel awkward, somehow. Sent a party invite, do not mention gifts, end of story.

But then you get gifts. I don't want gifts. (I'm the other PP who tries to do this.)

How do ppl feel about "your presence is your present"? That's what I use most. I really think it's clear. Most people who show up with gifts in the face of such an invitation acknowledge that they understood I didn't want them.

Anonymous wrote:*hides*

Here we go.

I've done this. I genuinely don't want gifts. If someone brings one, I will graciously accept it, but I don't want guests to go to additional trouble/spend money/give us stuff we don't need.

+ 1 zillion

I try for no presents all the time. My DD is spoiled rotten by her grandparents and we just want to host our friends and family, not have them buying us stuff (not to mention, then we have the stuff and we already have plenty of stuff). I genuinely don't understand why this is so controversial. But, to OP's point, I think if a parent includes that on the invite, it means please don't bring a gift.

Anonymous wrote:OP here-- to the PP who genuinely doesn't want gifts, could you please put "no gifts please" on the invite instead? I'm happy to respect your preference but I can only do that if I know about it.

yes, that's what I put. I misread. I'd always put "no gifts please."

Anonymous wrote:*hides*

Here we go.

I've done this. I genuinely don't want gifts. If someone brings one, I will graciously accept it, but I don't want guests to go to additional trouble/spend money/give us stuff we don't need.

A good example of why a no-gifts policy is a poor idea. It is going to make someone feel awkward, somehow. Sent a party invite, do not mention gifts, end of story.

Anonymous wrote:OP here-- to the PP who genuinely doesn't want gifts, could you please put "no gifts please" on the invite instead? I'm happy to respect your preference but I can only do that if I know about it.

NP here: maybe they think the phrasing of "no gifts necessary" is less obnoxious than "no gifts please"

OP here-- to the PP who genuinely doesn't want gifts, could you please put "no gifts please" on the invite instead? I'm happy to respect your preference but I can only do that if I know about it.

*hides*

Here we go.

I've done this. I genuinely don't want gifts. If someone brings one, I will graciously accept it, but I don't want guests to go to additional trouble/spend money/give us stuff we don't need.

I would think of that to mean, that you don't have to feel obligated to get the kid anything. So if you want to cool if not, thats ok to.

I'm not sure how to interpret that phrase on kid birthday party invitations--are they requesting that we don't bring a gift, or are they saying it because they think it's polite, but they would be happy to get a gift if we bring one? Gifts are always optional so it's not the clearest phrasing.