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

So you have 4 kids and they have one? In that case I’d be tempted to go along with it “oh great that you’ve decided to do £50 presents for nieces and nephews, my 4 will be delighted! Are you sure though? That’s going to end up costing you £200 a year, seems like a lot! But happy to go along with it if that’s what you want?”.

I am willing to bet they’re only thinking about their kid getting £50, not about reciprocating, but they won’t be able to articulate any good reason for that so will have to drop it.

This is standard in some cultures and absolutely fine (my in laws do it). Would never be done by my side of the family or among my friends. Give a voucher to the value you can afford.

Malicious compliance.

Buy something second hand, it's technically not in a box. 👍🏻

I'd take that as they didn't need anything, and just buy a card and maybe a board book. The 1yo won't have a clue.

See I think it’s really sad knowing that gifts will come into the home just to be land fill or donated.

My mum and dad love buying for our kid. I have had to rein them in and almost dictate what to buy because they are still not playing with previous gifts that were bought.

Your brother is a knob and pretty nasty actually. Typical 'lets blame the mother' behaviour because I'm either a) too embarassed to admit that its a joint idea and I'm fully onboard or b) too weak or lazy to tell his wife that he doesn't agree and put forward his own ideas.

I actually get not wanting loads of toys and things that will take up physical space, especially if you know you have relatives whose enjoyment of tat is greater than yours.

But given the circumstances I'd probably just do as a pp said and buy some generic, functional rather than elaborate clothing to whatever your budget is. A 1 year old is still going to get covered in a lot of shit, clothes are useful.

If you google “drum for one year old” there are plenty of excellent options around the £15 mark. And some are even pretty painted wood not tacky bright plastic. Take it out of the box before wrapping it and job’s a good ‘un!

You’ll find this is something you’ll struggle with until they’re old enough to want small gifts, like over the age of 8. People will just buy stupidly big gifts that you’ll have to live around that’s normal. It won’t jus happen in their first birthday 😬 so yea I agree with you as it’s a joke getting loads and loads of big gifts but are you expecting them to never get gifts at any age 🤔 surely the constant battle of the unwanted gifts is just a part of parenting 😩🤪

Yes. My suggestion would be a Clarks or Startright voucher that they can use for baby’s first pair of shoes. We did this as a gift for a friend and she was really pleased. Kids shoes are expensive.

While personalised keepsakes are lovely, kids come with so much ‘stuff’ and finding places to store it all gets more difficult as time goes on.

I wouldn't convert cash into vouchers. It makes absolutely no financial sense to convert something that is 100% safe and accepted everywhere, into something that is only accepted in specific shops and at risk of the company going into administration and becoming worthless.

Absolutely!

Donate anything you don't want or need but honestly asking for anything else is really rude!

They should be. They’re pointless.

The OP clearly knows (not@sarak20in particular) that the other person is talking bollocks.
So, why the need to create a thread having loads of people confirm that they’re correct.

Yessss a pumpkin costume. Extra points if it’s got a frilly tutu.

I HATE personalised gifts and keepsakes. All they do is clutter up the house, then the loft, then eventually go to charity.
She sounds very grabby and you need to set a precedent for the future that she doesn't get to demand £50 cash each time.
Tell your brother it will be a small book and maybe a tenner.

I wouldn't be going in for that nonsense.
Maybe different if she sets up an account in the child's name that you can transfer an amount of your choice.

I’d buy an outfit or a book

I’d buy a £10 autumn outfit from Primark.

Don’t give cash. A personalised keepsake isn’t boxed. Your sister sounds very grabby.

£50!! She’s crackers and greedy. A voucher or book is more than sufficient.

I wouldn't address this directly but just do what you would normally do but avoid boxed items. I'd probably send a book token or book, as others have suggested to the value that I would usually spend. I think if she is miffed by that, let her be.

Are reverses against talk guidelines?

Books. I’d give books every time.

A voucher for the amount that you can afford - Argos, Boots, M&S. Or clothing that she can grow into - onsies or sleepsuits, something relatively generic. DS had lots of christening gifts (and 1st birthday) of the ornamental type that were never used and are languising in storage in boxes somewhere.

I’d buy a finger paint set or a really really noisy toy!

No more dopey reverses!