in thinking asking for money instead of a present is rude?

[matrix11]

That is it really, DS has come out of school today, with a party invite, to a party, in a few weeks and on the back the parent has wrote a blooming poem, saying how they want to choose their own gifts, so can we please give money, between £5 and £10 please, children from both classes have been invited, apparently not all, but about 40!
What is the matter with people[shocked] or am I out of touch these days...please let me know

I think it's fine.

I'm all for giving people what they want.

Be cool. To address your points.

At the time I was physically incapable of working. I am happy to elucidate my various ailments including cancer to you by pm but I am not going to put them publicly on a thread.

So the wee dig about me not working at that point is a bit low. Yes i was on benefits. But I was anything but a lazy layabout who couldn't be arsed to go to work.

I now work full time in a professional job. Fwiw.

johnnie seriously I wasn't having a dig at you - I misread your post and incorrectly (and foolishly) assumed you weren't working. My mistake.
No dig [flower]

I never said you were lazy. As a SP on low income you have my full respect.

But johnny I'm not dissing your present. I think that's a nice idea.
I remember the maltesers thread and thought that would be a great gift. Genuinely.
It's just that I don't think there's anything wrong with specifying or giving money as long as it's obvious it's not compulsory and it's not an excessive amount.
Some ppl have said they would rather receive things that never get used, or get recycled to someone else or to a charity shop. I am surprised that ppl are really happy with that. It seems rude to expect someone else to be happy with that.

I have DD's 6th birthday approaching - along with Xmas this is starting to stress me out. We (me and 2 DC) live in a one bed flat and I've had to do loads of decluttering just to make it bearable. The idea of lots of incoming presents (she doesn't need) freaks me out.

I would like to be able to say to the people who ask what the DC want, money please or a book or nothing would be great too. But most people would think I was being rude. Because its not the 'norm'.

And Norm is really starting to fuck me right off. As then I have an obligation to find a home for the gifts. And we simply don't have the room. So they start to degrade our day to day life (I am thinking in particular of a couple of very large hideous gift from last birthday), or they go straight to the charity shop. And yet so many on this thread would call me ungrateful and rude!!

Johnny I never said you were lazy and nor did I think it - it never crossed my mind. Perhaps you have me confused with someone else?

It's really depressing when you're broke
and you would.like yur child to take part in the fairly normal childhood practice if taking a present to his friend's party. And you can make it happen.by.being careful and creative. But it turns out cash is what's wanted.

I recently sent cash for a wedding present. Bank transfer.no less. Not as much as most guests I'm sure. Mire than I would have spent on a present. Felt dreadful, but I won't go into debt.

#5 it #10. That is a lot for some people. It's inconsiderate inconsiderate to ask for money and specify the amounts.
;/

nfk just remember cash is what is wanted/asked for by the parents for whatever reason.

the child will always be delighted to receive your gift.

tricky one be cool.

kids stuff does create so much clutter looking around my own place where 2 have left home for a while.

DD1 is having a small tea party this year - 6 friends.

I doubt DD2 will ever have a rented-hall-type-mad-party and one of the main reasons is I we can't cope with all the gifts.

I think it's the way it's done that makes it rude because it makes you feel like you have to give cash. IMO you should never be made to feel a gift is compulsory.
I don't have a problem giving money towards a specific bigger item, if I ask the recipient what they would like but the way people phrase things in twee little poems make you feel that nothing we could give would be good enough.
DH and I have just declined an evening wedding invitation because the gift list was so rude.
MIL's friend buys all the gifts from her sons list then invites people to buy them from her to give to him!

Well I have to agree it is rude to ask for something as part of an invite.
But if asked, then a request for cash (or sweets, or nothing) would be fine by me.

Then you say, 'no gifts' or ask for donations to your child's fav charity.

But ppl like to give something, usually. So it would be better just to not mention it until ppl ask. But then I think it's perfectly ok to mention money at that point.

Make it a gift voucher.....for 4.99.....bloody cheek!