To be surprised 3 out of 6 children didn't bring a gift to dds party?

[Lollyheart]

I'm happy that they came to her party,I'm just surprised 3 children didn't give a present, I personally couldn't send dd to a party without a present.

I would never send a child to a party without a gift. It doesn't have to be pricey or flash,a packet of colouring pencils,a bouncy ball,a packet of buttons even!
YANBU!

YANBU.

These people are rude.

How unusual!

I would be quite relieved if 50% of guests did not bring presents .

That's just weird. It's standard party etiquette to bring a present - do people not know this? Could it have been their first experience of a child's party?

I reckon this will kick off.

YANBU to be surprised but be prepared to be accused of being grabby.

Is it her birthday yet? I just wondered if some people wait for the birthday. Bit odd though. Maybe one person but three is a lot!

I don't think it's their first party, dd is 7.

How old is she?

Ah at 7, yes that is a bit unusual, especially since the party was relatively small. But was it somehting the parents had already had to chip in for? I've read on here about people having build a bear parties and things and the parents of guests having to pay. If not, then yes very unusual.

YANBU, my mum sent me to a party without a present when I was 5, I was so , until to this day 30 years passing, I can never forget it.

I have sent my child to a party before with no present, I was not going to attend but the mother made it clear that she wanted our presence and not our presents.

It seems strange. Even if it's something from poundland or a bar of chocolate or something... it's odd to turn up at a party without a present. It wouldn't bother me, I'd just think it was a little unusual.

hmmm, as someone who is still opening presents with DS a week after his 5th birthday I rather wish I had a 'no presents' rule on the invite, DS is a funny thing and presents wouldn't have occured to him. Everyone was really generous and the whole class came so he has, um....... rather a lot of toys. .

yanbu though, I would always take a present to a party unless asked not to.

We tend to stock up in sales / wilkos / poundland. Card and present from Poundland, £1.25 (4 cards for a £1).

Hope your DD had a nice party .

We went to the cinema then lunch after, parents didn't have to pay anything towards it.

YANBU

Maybe they'll give them later, thinking it'd be awkward to cart them to the cinema and lunch?

As there are no toyshops in my area I have often sent a card with a fiver in it. Did you check her cards? I would never send my kids to a party empty handed.

YANBU

Did they bring a card? Could they have just popped money/vouchers in the card. This is what we do with DS1's friends as they all seem to want to put it toward more expensive games/toys.

twinklytroll - why were you not going to go? Because you couldn't afford a present? Presence is definitely more important than presents :) I'm just a bit surprised that a poundland gift/chocolate bar/bouncy ball is beyond anyone's means. I wouldn't want to risk upsetting the birthday child by going empty handed or embarrass the child going to the party.

I'm all for invites asking the kids to put a coin in the piggy bank!

I genuinely had no money and felt guilty for not being able to buy any present.

Yes they gave her card, I did double check the envelopes but they were empty.
I feel sorry for dd as she had no presents to open as the other 3 did give money.

YANBU - can't imagine not sending anything.

But agree with thebigkahuna (great name ) - the 'you grabby cah' brigade will be along soon to flame your ass.

Was it quite clearly presented as a birthday party? might they have just thought it was a trip to the cinema, IYSWIM, if i took a friend of DD's to the pictures and lunch it wouldn't necessitate a present, although they might invite dd another time in return. Did they definately all know it was her birthday?