Too many presents - AIBU?

[UnderpantsLoveAliens]

DS's birthday party is coming up. I stupidly decided to have a class party, plus external friends and family, as there are a few new kids in the class who, on account of having started rather late in the school year, have not been invited to any so far (although this is the last time I plan to throw a party this large!)

So, my problem is the subject of presents. DS already has a Wii, XBox360, iPad, PS3 and laptop, with several games to go with each one. Our house is filled with toys that he still regularly plays with. He has more than enough clothing (thinks a full wardrobe's worth). I am having mini-panic attacks at the thought of him being bought even more stuff. Where the hell are we going to fit it all?! I am trying my best to clear out things and make space, but with little success - he really does play with the toys that we haven't cleared out already.

I really wanted to put on his invitation that no presents were necessary, but this did not work a couple of years ago and people still bought him gifts (most of which were replicas of stuff he already had or stuff he showed no interest in once we took it back home - like I said, he already has lots of toys built from infancy that he is happy with). We have donated the majority of these to charity but at more time and expense to us (collating them and hiring a car/taxi to take to the nearest charity shop when I can find the time).

As much as I appreciate the generous gestures, I am sick and tired of having my house filled to the brim with things that I will need to either find non-existent storage for, sort through, give away etc, and I am dreading the similar aftermath of this year's party.

DS has said, year after year, that he doesn't want or need presents and just wants to see his friends. I have tried to hint to those that have RSVPed that no gifts are necessary, but they are all insisting that they bring something (despite many of them having been to our house before and knowing that we have no more space to put anything!!) It is getting to the point that I just want to cancel the party, but I can't do that to DS.

So, WWYD? Suck it up again for one more year? I know that people are just trying to be nice, but it seems ridiculous when all it's causing me is stress and sleepless nights.

You need to do more than 'gently suggest' no gifts. Just put no gifts then when someone rsvps remind them, something like thanks for rsvp just to remind you no gifts. Thanks see you there! Another thing you could do instead of just saying please donate to charity which is a bit random (how will they let you know they've done that) is to get your son involved or interested in a particular charity like help the heroes or something. Let everyone know he's raising money for them and ask for a contribution instead of £. That way it's more personalised.
Your ds sounds quite old (++games consoles etc) so what kind of big gifts is he getting? It's not like the big plastic toys toddlers get surely it's more vouchers/books/small lego sets when they're older anyway? Big presents from relatives is another matter & I do find it annoying. Mil bought ds a football table hat was like an extra bit of furniture & couldn't be re gifted etc as mil would like to see it when she came over!! If relatives are doing this you need to 'manage' i, however much it pusses them off ;-) ask for contributions to an experience or something (for years I asked for extensions to dc's to climbing frame but it doesn't sound like something you'd want to do?)

pisses not pusses

I can only guess that the reason the OP got such harsh responses was because she sounded so neurotic in her first post.
I totally understand and have repeatedly asked family to limit the stuff they give all of us.
I have put No gifts please on DDs whole class party invitations. Hope people don't bring stuff as we just don't need it. It overwhelms children. DD is very happy about it and she knows she'll be getting a few small presents from close family.
I would not put specific requests such as charities as it is too presumptuous.

This may be too late but something a family member did which went down well.

She asked for any gifts to be labelled as, e.g. "Suitable for 8 year old" allowing people to pass on things that they had. She specified that none of the gifts were for her DD, then 3, but all were to be given by her DD to the local children's hospital. People loved it and took a long time choosing gifts. Her DD went with her to drop them off and so had the "gift" of giving them. Everyone happy!

Some nasty little people around on this thread. Do they stay up 24 hours a day just to police this website

If that's directed at me, no i don't, i finish work between 1 and 2 am, come in, have a cuppa, watch tv and have a flick through mumsnet. Like thousands of other people