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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:
Panzee · 02/04/2014 20:30

Stealth, the invitation said no boxed gifts, not no boxed gits.

:o

Runs away...

Original poster
Cernabbas · 02/04/2014 20:31

I love all your suggestions!!

Yes, mum is Asian, Dad isn't.

I can't send my DD to party with no present (if only that I think this sends a bad message to her). I'm tempted by something noisy/messy Grin but you can't go wrong with a book can you?

Thanks all!

OP posts:
Vatta · 02/04/2014 20:31

It definitely means they'd like cash, and honestly I think it's rude!

If you're feeling cheeky, you could just interpret it as "oh, as you said you didn't want any gifts we just brought a card, here you go"

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General shopping
StealthPolarBear · 02/04/2014 20:32

:o:o:o:o Panzee

Corygal · 02/04/2014 20:33

Give them a fat card with a significant smile. Make sure there's no money in it.

Bloody cheek.

legoplayingmumsunite · 02/04/2014 20:34

Wow, if i saw that I'd assume they just didn't want any gifts because they had plenty of stuff. Oops.

expatinscotland · 02/04/2014 20:34

A 3rd birthday?! Take a book. It's not in a box. Cheeky wankers.

expatinscotland · 02/04/2014 20:35

Fuck ringing them up. They're in the UK, this is rude and grabby.

WeAreEternal · 02/04/2014 20:36

I recently received a wedding invite with "no boxed gifts please"
My first thought was, well at least it isn't a bloody poem.

For a small child's birthday party though that is just ridiculous. I would be sending moon sand, an air horn, a glitter craft set and that disgusting crap that makes bath water into jelly and then turns it back into water into slime.
Oh and the biggest card I could f

WeAreEternal · 02/04/2014 20:37

Find in the tackiest card shop. One of those ones that comes in a box. Grin

Bluestocking · 02/04/2014 20:37

That is so desperately rude! I would just give a card. Poor little mite, being deprived of the joy of a pile of cheap and cheerful presents. Sad

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 02/04/2014 20:37

Am now eagerly awaiting the thread where mum asks you for the receipt so that she can return the book Grin.

sebsmummy1 · 02/04/2014 20:38

Ok, if it's a cultural thing I would take a deep breath and once my irritation had subsided stick a five pound book voucher in a card.

redrubyindigo · 02/04/2014 20:38

Give a donation to Oxfam in their child's name to provide a well for children in Third World countries or something similar.

Oneforthemummy · 02/04/2014 20:39

What TravelInColour said. Totally.

It's a third birthday for goodness sake - surely all children at that age want the thrill of piles of presents to unwrap!

expatinscotland · 02/04/2014 20:39

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

We were too strapped for cash to do parties for several years in my girls' lives. So we sent them into nursery or school with a shop bought cake and had a family celebration at home, not asked for money.

SaltySeaBird · 02/04/2014 20:42

I've got the same request on a wedding invite. DH and I were trying to work out if it means "cash please" or if a nice bottle of champagne with some vouchers would go down well (our normal gift if nothing is specified).

expatinscotland · 02/04/2014 20:43

'Ok, if it's a cultural thing I would take a deep breath and once my irritation had subsided stick a five pound book voucher in a card.'

Why? It's not done here. Everyone is here now.

Mrswellyboot · 02/04/2014 20:43

Go with the book OP

But they are cheeky feckers. Very pretentious

expatinscotland · 02/04/2014 20:43

Get them champers and a voucher, Sea.

LadyMaryLikesCake · 02/04/2014 20:45

Ds would be chuffed with a book voucher.

I'd have given her moonsand.

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 02/04/2014 20:46

Shove a kazoo in a card. Tell them to stick it up their arses to play a tune if they don't like it.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 02/04/2014 20:46

How about putting a MN AIBU T-shirt in a bag.....

.......for the MUM?!

missorinoco · 02/04/2014 20:47

Deliberately misinterpret it. Buy something in a plastic wrap. Grin

It is probably meant as RayofSun says, that they don't want unnecessary gifts and would rather you didn't waste your money, but if you want to spend it they would rather you didn't spend it on something that will go in a cupboard and not be used.

Three year olds love opening gifts, but if they aren't used to parties with umpteen gifts they won't expect them.

Book token. Or jar of sweets.

MerryMarigold · 02/04/2014 20:47

It's not a cultural thing for 3rd birthdays. It has become so for weddings.