“No gifts please”

[ViaRia]

If you were invited to a family celebration - a full-on catered do at a venue such as a big birthday, christening reception or anniversary - and the invitation included the line “no gifts please” what would you think / how would you respond.

It’s a christening… in case your dying to know.

Is it presumptuous to write that (like they are assuming gifts would otherwise be bought), is it rude to mention gifts at all, is it annoying because you don’t want to show up empty handed and now it’s all awkward…?

Or is it perfect, because you’re already having to pay to travel and it means you can avoid the hassle of finding a gift?

Thanks in advance :)

I think it's fine, go for it.

I’d say it’s perfect!

I'd think they have everything they need already, and don't want to put guests to the trouble of buying stuff that'll just be given away, or themselves the trouble of removing stuff?

I don't think its rude or presumptious at all. It takes pressure of people who might not be able to afford a gift.

I think it's fine.

Just be careful people don't think you want money instead!

Off*

*removing rehoming

It's fine

Hmm.
I’d usually buy a bottle of champagne, but not for a christening.

I think presents for a christening are de riguer

I think it’s ideal.

I was planning on inviting people round for a 3rd birthday party soon and saying the same.

People do bring gifts to christenings. Anticipating this and saying no thanks is absolutely fine.

I'd take a book for the child. Just a generic favourite storybook rather than a bible story.

I'd presume they wanted money

It usually is interpreted to mean you want money instead

A Christening is an event where it is customary for guests to bring gifts, so whilst I know the British attitude is for hosts to pretend that receiving gifts is not a Christening tradition and so must not give any indication that they are anticipating to receive one, and guests likewise have to pretend that giving gifts is not a customary tradition and must feel affronted if any indication is given that it is assumed they might like to bring one before they make the first move to suggest they would like to, I think that’s all rather tedious.

I’d give a card, and probably put a £25 voucher for a child-friendly shop in it, as I’m not religious. If I were religious, I might bring a book of children’s Bible stories or similar. I definitely wouldn’t feel affronted at the wording in the invitation.

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Hmm. I’d usually buy a bottle of champagne, but not for a christening.

I think presents for a christening are de riguer

But isn’t that why it’s specified? Because most people will feel like they should buy a present for a christening but in this case the parents involved don’t want presents.

I might think they mean they want cash instead

I'd respond by going, buying a picture book and not wrapping it up (maybe a ribbon) and writing an inscription in it.

It seems a shame.

These types of threads are so frustrating! They've said no gifts but so posters always say they would bring something anyway. Why????

I would turn up empty handed as requested - no card either unless I was going to write in it something brilliant and memorably fabulous that they would want to keep - otherwise its such a waste as a lot of cards cant be recycled (the foil, the glossy finish)

I'd be a bit sad tbh

@JayAlfredPrufrock

It seems a shame.

Why?

I would think you mean you want cash.

People saying they think it would mean money instead, do you think it would be okay for OP to put "no gifts or money please" or is that weird?