Birthday party no gifts

[confuddeledconfuddel]

Our 3 year olds birthday is coming up and we are having a small party for her at local soft play. We are inviting some of her nursery class. My dh and I feel like she doesn't need anymore toys, the house is coming down with them, family will be buying gifts and Christmas is just around the corner.

What could I put on invites to let parents know that no gifts are required, presence only, that doesn't sound rude or ungrateful.

Perhaps a small statement

The best gift we ask for is your presence and not presents. Should you really wish to give a gift x for his/her bday we ask you to gift towards books/ holiday/ annual pass??

I like the above idea. Can never have to many books or craft supplies

“No gifts”- those rhymes where people say no gifts but list off what they actually want bug me!

I would just accept the gifts and donate them to one of the charities that collects gifts for children at Christmas.

There are lots of threads on Mumsnet about this very subject. He feelings are mixed.

Personally I would suggest saying :

Little Johnny is currently saving his pennies to buy a new scooter/pass/higher value item. If you wish to contribute to this item a gift of no more than £3 would be very gratefully received.

Asking for no gifts would make me think you wanted cash so I would end up giving cash. This would cost me more than a gift as I try to buy party gifts when I see a good offer on something good and worth about £15. I only pay £6/7. When I give cash to a party child I always give £10. My DC go to a lot of parties and £10 per party adds up quickly. Asking for no gifts will end up costing some people more.
It is a nice thought though. If you are going to do it word of mouth may be better. 'Please don't bring anything. We don't want anybody to bring anything, just themselves.'

I too always think no gifts means they want cash as can’t be trusted to purchase a suitable gift. I also feel for the child as you know it’s not their decision. I’d still bring a gift.

I get what you are all saying about no gift and wanting cash and that's what I was afraid of. We just actually don't need anything. At 3 she doesn't realise that people would bring gifts and it's not like she won't have any, she will have loads from family members. I'm talking 15+. We wouldn't do gifts at the soft play though. What she will enjoy most is just having people there. We wanted to make it easy for people as it's an expensive time of year as well.
I maybe like the idea about giving them to charity but then feel bad about giving away people's gifts who knew this was all going to be so hard!

To make it more complicated it's a joint party with her 1 year old sister (they are born a day apart so they will be having joints for life) but I don't want people to think they need to buy them both gifts. Therefore I'm not even mentioning it's a joint to those who would t know it's both their birthdays. As technically they are not being invited to 1 year olds party

Thank you for your replies I really do appreciate it and has gave me some insight and some more thinking discussing to do with dh

Wow just reading that back sorry for terrible grammar. I'm typing single handed in bed with said near 3 year old wrapped around me

For my child's 1st birthday, we asked for donations to our local children's hospital. Was so lovely delivering the bags of presents