To ask you to help me with words for party invite

[TiddlesUpATree]

Have hired a sports hall for DS 4th birthday. Have list if 30 kids from nursery. Most will be starting school in September. Want to put something in the invites like no presents please, if you want to contribute to a joint present for him you could pop a coin in a card.

I don't want people spending lots and also don't want a pile of 30 boxes (if plastic tat). Also don't want to sound grabby. Wonder if it's better to say he's collecting for charity but on the other hand getting presents at the party is a big part of it for him.

Aaarrrgh. Please help.

Lots of parents don't want a pile of plastic tat presents at birthday parents and therefore won't give them themselves. At that age I always gave books or craft stuff. You might be pleasantly surprised! And opening lots of presents is always really fun for young kids.

The children love the presents, it's part of the party for them. I'd ignore a request for no gifts for a child that age as would know it wasn't their choice. If not give money either as hate being asked for it.

Not everyone buys tat.

It would be perfectly reasonable to do this for your own birthday but not for a four year old who will love having so many gifts to unwrap.

Don't write anything about presents, that's very rude! Just donate unwanted stuff to charity.

Opening presents is one of the fun things for a child to do after the party. I think it's very mean to not allow him that! He'll see other kids getting presents at parties and wonder why he didn't get any.

My DD (4) had a whole class nursery party and received lots of nice books, art materials, a cress growing kit, a wooden picnic set, Grimms blocks and a playdough set, hardly any plastic tat!

Have a smaller party next year if you want fewer gifts.

Totally agree with the people who said don't do it. I'd personally feel sorry for your son and bring a gift and put a coin in the card.