Polite way of asking for contributions towards specific gift?

[Bunny2021]

I realise this is probably going to be controversial and I’ll have people saying it’s grabby but here we go…

It’s DS birthday in a couple of weeks. Our house isn’t very big and we genuinely don’t really have room for many more toys. My SIL always buys really big, plastic, noisy toys. I’ve had to keep a couple at my mum’s house because we just don’t have the space.

We’d really like to get a climbing frame for the garden. Our thoughts were asking for a family donation towards it - then it’s one big present from all the family (asking DH’s side as well) - it will keep for years, be used and we have outside space for one.

I’m struggling to word a message asking for donations rather than presents. Any ideas?

Obviously don’t want to pressure them into having to donate but it would be greatly appreciated.

I think it’s a great idea, I’d be more than happy to contribute if a family member did this. Just message saying ‘DS would really like a climbing frame, for their birthday would you be happy to contribute towards this instead of an individual present’. Send it early enough so they haven’t bought something already

"It’s DS birthday in a couple of weeks. Our house isn’t very big and we genuinely don’t really have room for many more toys. My SIL always buys really big, plastic, noisy toys. I’ve had to keep a couple at my mum’s house because we just don’t have the space.

We’d really like to get a climbing frame for the garden. Our thoughts were asking for a family donation towards it - then it’s one big present from all the family (asking DH’s side as well) - it will keep for years, be used and we have outside space for one."

This is fine, without the crossed out SIL bit.

This is probably better though 😊

I don’t think this is grabby at all- it’s very sensible and I’d happily contribute.

Received one recently which said something like “A few people have kindly asked whether there’s anything Max would like for his birthday. There’s no need to bring a gift at all but if you would like to, he’s currently saving up for a new bike so a contribution towards that would be very much appreciated.” I thought that was quite well expressed.

Thank you all!