To go to a child's birthday party without a gift?

[Slagertha]

Dc has been invited to a birthday party, I've never not taken a gift when it's been a child's birthday party but currently have no money whatsoever. Would it be unreasonable/cheeky/embarrassing to still take dc? They really want to go but I feel put off because of this! X

I think it might depend on the parent but having been there myself I would be absolutely fine with it. I tell my dds when they had parties this year never to expect presents, what is important is that their friends want to come and have fun at their party.

Still let you child go to the party. They can make a homemade card. A child came to foster sons party when he was 7 without a card or present. I was very proud of foster son who told child I invited you because you are my friend not to get another present.

Honestly birthday child will get lots of gifts and probably not even notice. Just help him make a card.

I'd go with a homemade card and mention the gift to follow later! I've done this before when Amazon hasnt delivered in time and got away with passing over a little gift at the school gates a week later!

On one side I’d hate it if someone didn’t turn up Due to no gift and would really like the child to come, on the flip side I’d probably not send my child with no gift

i think the bigger issue though is if you don’t even have a pound to spare and literally have no money but have a child, that’s a really concerning situation, have you food?

Do you have anything that you could re-gift?

I wouldn't even notice if I was the parent hosting the party, and I wouldn't care if I did! Maybe just make a card with him?

WHy not give a handmade card with a handmade voucher inside to take the birthday child and yours on a picnic together when the weather is nicer?

That's a really good idea.

It should be a problem to not a gift but I bought my friend's children gifts for £1 from Poundland for Christmas so it you can find £1 I think i would try to bring something if you can.

Shouldn't be a problem that should say, sorry.

If I was the host I would 100% prefer that one of my children’s friends attended without a gift than missed out (especially if it was because of money problems).

Have them make a card if possible, or maybe recycle one of their books if you really don’t want to turn up empty handed.

Make a card and get something from Poundland.

I agree-if I was the host Mum I'd be mortified if you stayed away because of this!

You can bring a card and say present to follow
or not usually a fan of this but it hurts no one
Get there and say you are so sorry in your rush to get out the door you left the present behind.

Relax and let your DC have fun at the party.

Maybe the next time you have a bit spare buy a couple of little books or something at Poundland or charity shop and put them aside?

When do you get paid? Give a homemade card and explain you ‘forgot’ the present but will give it on date after your payday.

Asterisk mess up: date after your payday

Oh ffs 😀 Whatever date that comes after your payday!

Still go to the party! It's fine to go without a gift, I'm sure they will get plenty more

Wouldn’t mind one bit! Would rather you come and enjoy the party rather than worry about gifts

Either make a card and say you 'forgot' the gift then get something when you have some money, or gift them something of your DC's if they have anything in good nick or in a box. A pack of TopTrumps or whatever? Don't make your child miss a party because of this.

Do NOT borrow money to buy a present. That will leave you short next month when you have to pay it back. We tend to put money in a card, And I think lots of people do this- no one, except the host, would know you haven’t done that if there was no parcel. The worst thing to buy is cheap tat. Not only are you spending a couple of Your valuable pounds on it, but it is probably going to break quickly or be relegated to the bin/charity shop pile very quickly, which makes it even more financially wasteful (Not to mention environmentally wasteful) to spend your last pound on it.

I don’t really think her birthday is about what you want, unless she’s an infant, that’s your birthday, and gifts should never be about need, it would be very miserable if the only gifts we could give or receive were only based on need, and not want, enjoyment, and the joy of giving.

Just get your DC to make a card and don't worry about it! My DC honestly wouldn't notice, and as a parent I would't be remotely bothered (in fact I'd probably be a bit glad, I feel like I'm constantly battling a sea of plastic tat.)

I made it clear that I absolutely DO NOT expect or want gifts for my DC when they have a party. What we want is the children there to have a nice day. I couldn’t even tell you who brought gifts/cards and who didn’t but what I do know is that they all had fun x

I’m in the handmade card and a bag of sweets camp.
if you really can’t manage that then please mention it to the mum.
ds had a party recently and when sending out thank you messages I realised he hadn’t had a present from one of his friends. I/we wouldn’t have minded at all but I still feel awful that we might have mislaid it somewhere.
just say or text ‘thank you so much for the invite-ds will be there. I’m sorry but we’re really short of cash for a present at the moment but it would be lovely to have … round for tea when I’ve been paid and I’ll treat him then’