Anonymous wrote:How, exactly, are they setting up the question?

+1. You need to tell us specifically what they said, because I HIGHLY doubt you are correctly interpreting multiple parents as sneakily trying to get you to say "no gifts." Sorry if you're feeling sensitive because everyone's telling you you were wrong, but what you're describing seems really really unlikely.

Anonymous wrote:It was absolutely made to make me say no gifts. One said “do I need to bring anything (pause) like food...? What do you say to tho? Shopkins?

It sounds like this person wasn't even asking about gifts in the first place. If someone asks if they need to bring food to your party, you can say "no, we're providing pizza and cake!" If they have a question about gifts they'll ask it. Asking any question at all about your party is not begging you to say "no gifts." You have a really noticeable chip on your shoulder and it's clouding your perception.

Other parent: "Is it okay if we come a little late, we've got a soccer game first?"
OP: "FINE, NO GIFTS, MAKE MY KID MISERABLE YOU JUDGMENTAL HARPY!"

Anonymous wrote:You are reading too much into their request for gift suggestions.

+1
Chip on shoulder

Anonymous wrote:Do your children really NEED more stuff?
You sound selfish and greedy. Just tell them to give Larla a gift card.
Tacky

They don’t need piano lessons or clean sheets every week either. There are very few true needs.

Anonymous wrote:“He likes Legos and Star Wars these days. Thanks!”

Done.

+1

If I ask you about a gift, it's to get an idea of what your kid likes.

It was absolutely made to make me say no gifts. One said “do I need to bring anything (pause) like food...? What do you say to tho? Shopkins?

Anonymous wrote:Nobody’s forcing you. If they’re asking you what type of gift to say Lego or sports gear, or whatever.

+1 I do no gifts for my kid's parties, but when I ask another parent what gift to get it's not to shame them into a no gifts stance. It's to get an idea for a gift.

“He likes Legos and Star Wars these days. Thanks!”

Done.

You tell them what your kid likes. Anything power rangers if they just want the show tie-in. Specific toys like LEGO or water guns, if that’s their interest. They’re not asking for you to say no gift.

Do your children really NEED more stuff?
You sound selfish and greedy. Just tell them to give Larla a gift card.
Tacky

How, exactly, are they setting up the question?

No one is forcing you to say or do anything. Just say do what you feel is appropriate.

You are reading too much into their request for gift suggestions.

Nobody’s forcing you. If they’re asking you what type of gift to say Lego or sports gear, or whatever.

I sent out invitations for my kid's birthday (6th) and didn't say it was a no gift party. It's not. I couldn't care less but gifts are an important part of birthday experience for my kids.

Two parents now approached trying to have me say that it was a no gifts party. They are ostensibly asking what to bring but really setting it up in a such a way that I am supposed to say 'oh, nothing'. And I did. But I hate it.