Aibu to buy a gift card/cash for a 'no presents' kids party?

[flyingspaghettimonster]

That is it really... My kids are invited to a set of girl/boy twin 8 year olds birthday. The evite says ' please no ifts, only merrymakers required', but I would hate turning up empty handed. Would a voucher for an activity like a pottery painting shop our bounce house be acceptable in the card? There is no religious reason for no gifts, I presume it is because they don't have space for two class fulls gifts...

Aibu by bringing a book token or somethingin the card our does'no' have to mean no?

I would donate a smallish amount to an appropriate charity in the giftee's name. Then I'd wrap a card with it in small and stick it in my pocket. I'd then sidle up to the mother and say that you wanted to honour their request but it also I wanted to do something special for the birthday child and would it be ok if you left this (explaining what it was) for the child to open after the party?

I'd also wrap something inconspicuous and put it in the boot of the car without your child seeing so you can retrieve it if everyone ignores the request and you are the only one without something. I've seen that happen before.

Oh and we did this one time. It was almost the end of primary school for my DS and we were throwing him a belated birthday party by renting a local pool out of hours in the evening for an amazing rate. Many of his friends were in the other class and it only cost us about 20 pounds more to invite both classes than one. As they would soon all be going to different schools we decided what the heck, let's invite both classes plus a few family friends.

As we could potentially have up to 60 odd kids turn up the idea of gifts from that many kids was mind boggling -- can you imagine 60 thank you letters from an 11 year old? Or that much stuff in our house? So I asked that no gifts be brought. Some people asked if I minded if they brought gifts anyway so I suggested that instead they bring something for the pool party to share and that seemed to go down well. We did get the odd gift and that was fine, they were mostly gift certificates.

Stop trying to find a way around their no gifts request . Whatever their reasons tgat is what they have asked. I doubt that it is a test to see who still brings a gift

Take a bottle of wine. That is what I would do.

We are planning on having a picnic at the park for DS's 2nd birthday and I will be requesting no gifts.

I don't think asking for people to not bring gifts is rude at all.

Maybe your dcs could make a card, that might be nice?

Taking wine or champagne would be a terrible idea imho. It's a children's party, no gifts have been requested and so something is brought for the parents instead. Very strange.

I did a whole class party for son's fifth and put no presents on the invite for the main reasons that people have said here. And everyone still brought presents. With 30 kids that was a huge amount of gifts and a bit overwhelming not to mention space problems.

Do you know anyone else who is going? What I'd do is this. I'd get something small, make a character toy for a show they like or a craft item, or better still a t-shirt with their favourite character on it. I'd wrap that up, and pop it in my bag. When you get to the party if everyone has turned up with gifts, give it to your child to give. If they haven't, then just keep it in your bag and return it.

I requested no gifts for my daughters christening, donations to Bliss could be made in her name if people wished to do so. She still got tons of presents, and I felt bad for the others who didn't get her anything (as requested!) but were obviously uncomfy at the pile of presents to which they didn't contribute iykwim. In the end we raised nearly £1k for bliss which is much much better than more toys or clothes in my opinions.

So, YABU to take a present.

packet of biscuits
"It's not ridiculous, it's about considering the feelings of your guests. Better to consider this too much than not enough. And yes it's rude to assume"

I'd agree with you if it were an adult's party re: rudeness, but it's a BIRTHDAY PARTY for a CHILD where traditionally, you'll be giving a birthday present.

I really do not see how the OP is being inconsiderate re: her guest's feelings? She's asked them not to being gifts? I'd say that's more considerate - in these times people may not be able to afford a gift.

offer to bake a plate etc for the party