Quick! Does 'no gifts' really mean 'no gifts'?

[willisurvive3under2]

2 year old's birthday party today. Invite said 'no presents' as she has so much already. But really? Do we turn up with just a card?

Stick £5 in the card? I'd appreciate that much more than more plastic tat that I need to find a place for...

Just a card is fine - child too young to realise anyway and parents maybe want to avoid loads of extra stuff.

You could put a fiver in or something if you wanted to give a gift, that way it can be saved or spent as they please.

Yes, it really does.

I'd put a fiver in the card. They might be overwhelmed with stuff and don't have room or trying to avoid lots of plastic etc for environmental reasons.

I agree. Put a voucher, book token or cash in a card

Yep. "No boxed gifts" means "cash please" but "no gifts" means just that. "Absolutely no gifts" means "I'll be actually angry if you bring a gift".

I had the same today for a 1 year old party and just took a card.

Put a fiver in a card, it can towards something the kid might need in 6 months

You could give a few quid in the card or a voucher if you are worried. Or discreetly hand over a consumable food/drink item, like a box of cookies. They can serve them at the party or just have them at home by themselves.

I always state no gifts and explain clearly why. I really really don't want them, seriously!

Thank you all, I put some money in a card in the end!

Sounds like the right thing to do. I do believe 'no gifts' means no gifts, many many people just have too much stuff and are trying to stem the tide and there's also the environmental aspect.

I think money is fine in this situation because they can always add it to their savings account or put it towards a bigger item they do want, both of which are better than dozens of small things that break or the child isn't really interested in.