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.