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Original poster

Baby's first birthday to ask for no boxed gifts?

284 replies

sarak20 · 16/08/2026 08:44

Is this reasonable or no. For some context: I have bought all the toys I would like my baby to play with and don't want others gifting toys that I have no space to store. Is it appropriate to ask for no boxed gifts? Thanks

OP posts:
Hundslappadrifa · 16/08/2026 11:07

I’d buy a normal present for a one year old and de-box it into a bag, just for the hell of it 😀

Dolphinnoises · 16/08/2026 11:06

sarak20 · 16/08/2026 09:35

@Itssomethingelsequite right...yes they spend £20 on each child at most. I think I'm just going to gift a voucher

Which means they spend £80ish on birthdays / Christmas in total for kids presents for your family? You might want to keep that in mind.

Don’t get me wrong, I think “no boxed gifts” is ludicrous, as is informing people what their budget should be. But there’s that to consider as well

user1471538283 · 16/08/2026 11:01

£50!

It was a long time ago but the only toy my DS had for his first birthday was a big bag of bricks from his DGF. Most he had sleep suits, vests and outfits which were brilliant! I'd hate anyone to feel they had to buy though, I certainly wouldn't tell them how much.

I'd put a voucher in a card and be done with it.

caringcarer · 16/08/2026 11:01

Just say no toys. No boxed gifts sounds odd. Decide what you do want and tell family that.

thelegacyofdragons · 16/08/2026 10:57

I hate personalised gifts. It’s just pointless clutter and you can’t even give it to charity.

PinotandPray · 16/08/2026 10:57

Bacarditropicalfizz · 16/08/2026 09:19

I would have hated a baby group voucher, that forces the parent to feel the need to attend one, she might be working full time. Some would think it’s too early for swimming lessons and want to start that in their own time at their place of choice.

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That’s true - just some ideas for you OP that’s all 😊 I got one of those vouchers for somebody and they really appreciated it but not everyone does and I get that.

just give them money

Gertibear · 16/08/2026 10:56

I would not give cash. I think she’s a bit cheeky. I wouldn’t understand that phrase either.

I would maybe buy a bath toy, book and an outfit. Personalised item would be nice instead ofcourse. I have a feeling she’s the type that no matter what u buy it won’t be right 🙄

Summerunlover · 16/08/2026 10:55

We asked for clothes or a book.

thelegacyofdragons · 16/08/2026 10:54

Or give £50 to a charity like Child Poverty
in the childs name?

TheJoyousHiker · 16/08/2026 10:54

Personally, I don’t like receiving personalised gifts and never give them.

I would definitely not give cash or voucher to the value of £50. £20 is more appropriate as is £15 or £10, depending on your budget. There is no point giving £50 when you can’t afford it and it would mean you struggling or your children going without. Do not go down that road. Start as you mean to go on!

thelegacyofdragons · 16/08/2026 10:53

Buy a Jack in the box.

Give it to them with the Jack already jumped out of the box. #notinabox

LadyGAgain · 16/08/2026 10:52

YABVU. It’s not a wedding. Let people buy baby a gift or you say no gifts at all thanks.

Poppycorn123 · 16/08/2026 10:52

I think it's very cheeky to expect 50+ from people. My ddonly got something from one in law and nothing from the others. I would be happy with anything from them tbh. Just so she had presents to open. Even a little toy for a fiver.

OneNewLeader · 16/08/2026 10:49

I wouldn’t know what you meant. Just be clear. I wouldn’t care if you just wanted cash. I’d understand.

oviraptor21 · 16/08/2026 10:49

I would just say no gifts for a 1 year old. Quite grabby to expect anything much anyway. Absolutely no way I would be giving cash or vouchers.
In your situation I'd just give a book or some clothes.

TheEighthDwarf · 16/08/2026 10:48

I’d just have bought something that didn’t come in a box which is about 99% of what I would have bought anyway (including toys). I had no idea this was a request for money (twee and crass!) and find it unbelievable someone would ask for £50+.

BusyMum47 · 16/08/2026 10:48

sarak20 · 16/08/2026 08:54

Thanks for all your replies. This is what my sister in law has asked everyone to do. She has put on the invites "no boxed gifts". She is expecting everyone to give £50 and above. I have four kids it isn't exactly easy for me to dish out £100 to her. I would have much preferred to buy my own gifts. What would you do in this situation?

Tell her to fuck off??

Who dictates what people gift their children?? Sod that!!

Bridesmaidorexfriend · 16/08/2026 10:47

I don’t get how your bro can be ‘inderctly’ telling you he wants everyone to give £50+ but lets pretend he has. I’d have replied in the group ‘Haha, no 1 year old needs £50 brother, i get not wanting gifts clogging up the place so I’ll skip the gift this year.’ X

AmyDudley · 16/08/2026 10:45

Give whatever the hell you like, if it comes in a box, take it out of the box before you give it. Alternatively don't give anything, or give a piggy bank so baby can put all her fifty quids in it, while Mummy decides what to buy for herself spend it on.

I can't be doing with the entitlement of firstly presuming a gift is being given, secondly demanding what the gift is and thirdly how much that gift/cash should be. The rudeness is unbelievable.

One year old's don't know it is their birthday, they don't have gift lists, they don't care what they get given or don't get given.

Most one year old,s like a big cardboard box to sit in , a saucepan to bang with a wooden spoon, and some messy food to smear all over themselves, job done.

saraclara · 16/08/2026 10:45

sarak20 · 16/08/2026 09:24

@Youhadrambledonfor18pagesWe have a family WhatsApp group and she mentioned in there that she wants family to only give money. My brother keeps indirectly saying how they are expecting family to give 50 or above

"I'm looking forward to celebrating niece's birthday, but I can only give what I can afford at this point, which won't be £50+. I hope that whatever I give will be appreciated, though."

76evie · 16/08/2026 10:43

I would find that rude. If you have all the toys you want your child to have, I would tell people that gifts aren’t required.

whistlesandbells · 16/08/2026 10:37

sarak20 · 16/08/2026 09:24

@Youhadrambledonfor18pagesWe have a family WhatsApp group and she mentioned in there that she wants family to only give money. My brother keeps indirectly saying how they are expecting family to give 50 or above

This is so vulgar and rude. Do want to point out it is not just your SIL but your brother too! Buy a book, wrap it and don’t get involved in this nonsense.

grrrlatrix · 16/08/2026 10:35

Please buy this and wrap it in tissue paper.

Baby's first birthday to ask for no boxed gifts?
TrunkElliot · 16/08/2026 10:32

@Edenmum2
No she didnt say that. The op’s brother did. But he’s blaming his wife.

grrrlatrix · 16/08/2026 10:32

Besidemyselfwithworry · 16/08/2026 09:06

I think she’s greedy and ungrateful would be my first thought
I’ve always accepted everyone’s gifts gracefully and if I haven’t wanted/liked them - either sold or regifted
£50 cash is just a bit much

I have had one alternative request once tho a little girl in my daughters class - she said in a party invite that her daughter was saving up for a swing for the garden and if people wanted to put afew pennies in a card that would be lovely. This however is an entirely different sort of request isn’t it???

This mum had just moved to her new rental, they didn’t have much so it was a great idea. I wrapped up a £1 bag of haribo and put £10 In a card - job done. Something to open and something to spend.

but £50+ that would not be happening!

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That’s lovely. The request and your response.