Gift for toddler when you’ve been told no gifts?

[EssentialHummus]

Just that really. Invited to small toddler party. Told beforehand in private that we shouldn’t bother with a gift, because they are inundated with stuff. Now I’m pre-embarassed that everyone else will turn up with a gift and I’ll be empty handed. Plus, advance planner that I am, I actually bought the gift prior to having that conversation with the mum. Wwyd?

Respect their wishes & don’t bring a gift.

Take the gift with you and leave it in your car “just in case”?

£5 in a card, and/or a small book perhaps?

I’d do a fiver in a card for their money box and use the gift you’ve already bought for the next birthday.

I would save the gift for another child another occasion and put a bit of money in a card. If they have said no gifts they must have so much stuff your toy may well never be played with or re gifted anyway

Maybe a £5 voucher

I would respect their wishes, but if you’re worried about being the only empty handed one and you’ve already bought it, bring it in the car just in case. If no one else brings one you can return it, donate it, or save it for the next toddler.

Get something for the parents to say thanks.

I'd give money in a card

Why does the cynic in me think this is just a cheeky way to ask for money?

A voucher in a card is a nice gesture.

I don’t think it is mint, they’re so lovely generally.

If they have said no gifts they must have so much stuff your toy may well never be played with or re gifted anyway

To add, I bought an item of clothing rather than a toy (because an expensive Scandi brand had a sale on, so I bought a bunch of summer tshirts for the many toddlers in my life).

I think they have some minor financial issues, I’d worry that £5 in a card would be seen as a nod to that.

That’s clear after.

If they say no gifts, I’d give no gifts. Save the present for another kid maybe.

I asked for no presents for DS1's second birthday party and it was completely ignored, everyone brought a gift. I stopped doing it after that because people obviously hate turning up without a present!
I wouldn't give a voucher, 5£ is nothing and they will be forced to spend extra when they are already having financial difficulties. If you want to say thanks for the invitation, bring a box of chocs or some flowers for the parents.

So my son has a party this weekend and I have requested no gifts
I'm hoping people respect our wishes!

£10 in card or no gift.

Book token? They can always re-gift if they really don’t want it.

Give the t-shirt

It’s clothing which is always useful as opposed to a toy which is what I’m guessing they are trying to avoid

Don’t bring a gift. So bad for the environment filling up houses with tat. If you insist how about something like wild flower seeds the kid can scatter on a trip out?

Could you not just say that you'd already bought their child a gift?

Put money in a card. They can always put it in the toddlers savings account if they don’t want to spend it.
They won’t be offended they just don’t want to drown in stuff.

I would put cash in a card too.

I'd message back "I hear what's your saying but does that apply to clothing as I've already bought X a t-shirt? I'd like to still give it to him but I'll pass it to you discretely. If not no problem I can return it."
That way you've addressed the problem and will know exactly where you stand before the party so won't be stressing or adding to the party parents' stress. If you're not to take it but still don't want to go empty handed take some chocolate fingers & party rings for the spread.