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Original poster

"No boxed gifts please"

100 replies

Cernabbas · 02/04/2014 15:33

My DD has been invited to a friends 3rd birthday. The invitation states "no boxed gifts please". I take this to mean "money/vouchers as gifts". Would you agree?
If so I am not sure I am happy with this - mainly explaining to DD why we don't appear to be taking a present.

What are your thoughts please?

OP posts:
BalloonSlayer · 02/04/2014 19:55

Get a recorder.

They come in a little canvas bag.

The parents will love you for ever.

OverAndAbove · 02/04/2014 19:56

Or a vuvuzuela! Every PFB house should have one...

Cringechilli · 02/04/2014 19:58

Either turn the invitation down or give a book token. Perhaps they just have too much stuff? Even so I think it's odd for a 3yos party, the parents could easily regift or charity shop anything unwanted or excess.

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nilbyname · 02/04/2014 19:58

What about a t-shirt that has bedazzled on the front-

My parents are entitled twats?

Taffeta · 02/04/2014 19:58

Yes to moon sand, with some plasticine, if you're feeling generous.

In a massive box.

Or, maybe a box within a box within a box within a box within a box, containing a bag of Haribos.

MrsDeVere · 02/04/2014 19:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nilbyname · 02/04/2014 19:59

Unbox.

Moon sand
Slime
Glitter
Beads
A drum kit

Just take a bin liner full of old toys and give then that? No box!

Uuuuuurgh!

ParkingFred · 02/04/2014 20:00

I would SO buy something annoying and wrap it without its box.

Play dough, those jars of putty, whoopee cushion, kazoo ...

No boxed gifts? I can't believe how rude some people are!

justabigdisco · 02/04/2014 20:01

My friend tells me it is commonplace in some Asian weddings (he is Pakistani) to state 'no boxed gifts' and it definitely means 'cash only please'.
Am Shock at someone putting this on a 3 year old's birthday party invite. I would play dumb, and assume it meant 'no gifts' Grin

Lottiedoubtie · 02/04/2014 20:07

No boxed gifts!? So just a box then? Grin

cakeymccakington · 02/04/2014 20:08

i would be very tempted to buy a gift, take it out of the box and give it to them :P

LadyMaryLikesCake · 02/04/2014 20:08

Of you could take the moonsand out of it's packaging so that it's loose and wrap it up. If you're feeling kind you could warn her that it will make a mess.

Floggingmolly · 02/04/2014 20:08

It does mean cash; it's usually confined to particularly grabby wedding invitations. The utter brass neck of her to put it on a 3 year old's party invitation for the parents to spend down the pub
Shockingly tacky.

RayofSun · 02/04/2014 20:12

This is very common in Asian culture and means no gifts, just money, vouchers or nothing. It is mainly done to prevent an accumulation of unwanted, unnecessary gifts. Wink

SATSmadness · 02/04/2014 20:14

Lordy, how entitled is that parent ?!

To me it smacks of "My child and I are so superior that we can't be bothered with a load of potentially cheap tat/toys and being rather superior I also know of a clever phrase to use on the invitations to ask for exactly what I want !"

If they are saving up for something like a swing set/slide/expensive play kitchen then why not say so and ask for a voucher from the relevant shop.

LadyMaryLikesCake · 02/04/2014 20:16

Ae they strapped for cash? They could be hoping on the 'donations' to cover the cost of the party? Just a thought.

NearTheWindymill · 02/04/2014 20:17

A drum Grin.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 02/04/2014 20:18

This is so cheeky for a child's birthday! Why on earth would a 3 year old be interested in cash - of course they would much rather have a toy! Shock

I would also go for a book or a harmonica (without the box of course). Although part of me would really want to send some unpackaged playdoh or a paint set Grin.

I would only ever give cash for a child's birthday if the child wanted something specific which the parents could not afford & had asked for contributions towards it. That would more apply to a niece or nephew though, I wouldn't expect to be given 'direction' on what to give to one of my DCs friends!

RedRoom · 02/04/2014 20:18

That is disgusting. Take nothing but a card. How dare they snub certain presents for a three year old! They should be grateful people are kind enough to spend their hard earned cash on anything- boxed or not!

ShatterResistant · 02/04/2014 20:19

Maybe THEY don't know what it means, and think it's a fancy way of saying "no presents at all". I'd ring them up and pretend YOU think that's what it means, and see if they've got the front to tell you they want cash. It's one thing to write it in an invitation, quite another to be forced to say the words "bring money".

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 02/04/2014 20:21

Are they Asian though, Cernabbas? Maybe it doesn't feel grabby to them.

RiverTam · 02/04/2014 20:23

goodness, how odd, I've never heard this.

I'd get a book and play dumb if they query it. Though I tend to get books as presents anyway.

Lweji · 02/04/2014 20:27

Offer him some theatre tickets.
Or unwrapped gifts.

StealthPolarBear · 02/04/2014 20:28

Could you arrange for Mr Tumble to appear from a giant box as a special surprise for the birthday boy?

hugoagogo · 02/04/2014 20:29

I usually give three year olds those short fat crayons from the early learning centre and a nice colouring book.

That way they get something, but it does not add to their pile of plastic tat.