a chestnut: how do you say "no presents" on a birthday invitation? -

[Bink]

• and/or "well if you really want to a book would be nice"?

Or once you've said no presents are you in birthday Siberia and you richly deserve the dusty box of chocolate-dipped ants?

[Trinityrhino]

you could put

'no presents just your presence' and you will get some presents but people will think you are wonderful

[msappropriate]

my dh did this recently on his 40th birthday and just wrote no pressies please.

[fryalot]

I've done this and just written "no presents required, I just want you to come along"

Some brought presents anyway, some didn't

And if you get a dusty box of chocolate-tipped ants, send them over here, I don't mind sucking the chocolate off

[3Ddonut]

'we understand that you would probably like to buy (child's name) a birthday present but he/she really has more than enough toys, if you feel you would like to buy a gift however, may we suggest a book or a voucher for an activity?' Thankyou. ?????

It's a bit long winded I suppose, but it gets the point across.

[3Ddonut]

If you get that, put nicely, I'm pinching it!

[fryalot]

how about:

" this year we are not asking for any presents, however if you feel strongly that you want to buy something, please feel free to donate some money to the 'keep mum in alcohol fund' you can donate by cash, cheque and all major credit cards... sort code and account number on request"

[Flibbertyjibbet]

I usually ask what children would like if mine are the invitees.
If we are having the party I am just glad that people turn up, and have realised that I just have to put up with the tat presents.
IMO if the parents don't ask what you specifically want then don't give specifications for presents - if any are like me they will have lots of tat presents in the cupboard bought en masse in the sales ready to give out and an instruction for something different would really annoy me!

[Bink]

ah flibberty, what you say is exactly why I was worrying ...

Thanks everyone! I am still mulling over this one.

[wishingchair]

So you just put the dodgy presents back in the cupboard ready to be recycled for the next poor soul's party ... and they make great donations to the school raffles/tombolas etc.

[whomovedmychocolate]

The village mums with babies have made an agreement here that there will be no party bags and no pressies at parties. Just jelly and custard and cake. We are hard core mummies

[pigsinmud]

Ds2 recently went to a party and the invite said something along the lines of .. instead of a present please donate to the NSPCC. It had an account name and I think the partygiver gets told afterwards how much they raised.

[Hulababy]

Is it for a child?

Only problem with this I would find is that some people will still turn up with presents, and that might then make those who don't feel a bit odd at the time IYSWIM.

Also some people like choosing presents. DD adores chosing a present for her little friends. She'd not be happy at not taking a present with her to a party.