Or is a birthday list at John Lewis the done thing for a 6 yr old ?

I see i am in the minority on this one

As usual

Havent read thread, but it seems perfectly reasonable to me. Although I would contribute a little to the account and still take the child a gift so they didnt feel left out.

I HATED it when mine were little and got 15 little presents to fill there bedroom with junk...

...but to avoid this by asking guests to pool resources????

That's TERRIBLE

no! what is she on? I can quite see that you can get overrun with little toys at a birthday party, particularly if you have loads of guests, but the solution to that is to say no presents, or ask for a goat - or accept what you get gracefully.

No way!

I have never heard anything so riduclous in all my life! the mother is obviously a control freak. Get your own back, don't contribute ti this crazy scheme but don't buy a gift either,instead donate the money you would've spent to a charity in the childs name. Oh and don't forget to tell mummy1.

WTF?

No! Is this real?

I feel embarressed to even be asked what I want people to get DD, and usually suggest a book or some pens, that I know won't cost a lot. I know some people who won't take thier children to parties as they cannot afford pressies, but I say having the child there is better than any bit of plastic etc.

I don't think children should even know these lists exist never mind have one

'Whatever happened to surprise? To delight? To excitiement? '

Ah, but Blu, these sorts of virtues imply imagination, creativity and adventure, characteristics which are seen as having little value in today's society.

Imagine how boring life would be if you knew exactly everything that would happen?

Bethbe - lol at your cousin! Only jewelery or money as an investment for a 10 year old. Ermm... does jewelery from Argos count as investment or is she looking for antique rings

effin' 'eck!!!!

it's a fiver from Argos all the way with our family!!

Maybe I should have set up a list for my dd's christening party instead of letting people bring any silver thing they wanted (why is it always silver for christening gifts?). Mind it's only got as far as the bottom of my wardrobe. Be something for her to look at in later life though.

Hmmm maybe I should have a gift list at Monsoon for my birthday party .
At least from looking at this thread and the fact that no-one has jumped up to defend this lady, we know that people like her are deffo in the minority, thank God! I mean, what planet is she on???
KW3W - small present picked out by your lo should suffice - after all it is the thought that counts... she could certainly take a leaf out of Speedymama's book!
How about printing this thread out, shoving it under that woman's nose and then running away very quickly? .

My cousin has said 'no toys' for her 10 yr old as she is old enough for presents that will be investments for the future i.e jewelery, money etc..

The poor child!

DH1 says John Lewis "never knowingly under priced"

Katylui...This child will be lucky if anybody ever marries him, goodness only knows how he'll turn out!

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! My 7 yr old DS has just had a party after we gave him a choice - 1 big party and a small present, or 'special' tea with us and a big pressie. He chose the party (he said because then he could get lots of presents - not just 1! ) but truth is, he just loved being the leader and having his whole class in his house!!
We hired a magician and all the kids brought presents that they had obviously picked out - if anyone asked what to get him I just said, make sure you don't spend a lot, and be grateful if its not huge size wise as we don't have the room.
Its the whole point - eating loads of rubbish food, running wild for an hour or two, unwrapping a load of gear, saying thank you, kids saying thank you for having me, writing thank you notes, inviting you back to their party, asking at school the next week whether you enjoyed the bratz doll you'd been given, getting involved e.t.c. What is this woman breeding for goodness sakes - can't wait to see this childs wedding list when they grow up!!!

Perhaps we should just be giving out a child's bank account details & asking party guests to put the money straight into their account!!!

Its DPs birthday today..... Should I have registered him somewhere for gifts then?

Here here Blu

we are raising a nation of mini-accountants 'get everyone to invest their money in what you want'...nothing wrong with adult accountants - but this level of organisation for children to control gifts is horrible.

Whatever happened to surprise? To delight? To excitiement?

Everything is planned and known about and ordered in advance by the child from a catalogue....

My ds 1's birthday is just before christmas and got over looked both years. So the other week we had a non-birth-day for him, all running round the local park with food laid on after at the park cafe. I went to expense and a lot of trouble doing nature trail sheets and getting prizes and paying for the food, but at the bottom of each invite I put clearly 'no presents please its not his birthday'. After reading this thread my halo is shining at how popular I must be with the other mums and no wonder we had full attendance!!
John Lewis!!! One friend who had a party for 10 2 year olds at their house did comment that next year she might ask for argos vouchers for him so that they can buy a new vaccuum for after the party . I always ask in advance what a child would like so no wasted tat gifts, we never spend more than a fiver, and I'm with the other mums, just turn up with a standard cheapo party type gift for this child and perhaps the mother will get the message and be very embarrassed?