"No presents party" - would you still bring one?

[Eurydice84]

DD (4yo) got an invitation to one of her classmates' birthday party. The invitation specifies: no presents please. Would you still bring one? I have never gone to children's parties without a small gift, not sure what the reason is?

Because people have enough junk

I would just take a card, if they had specified no presents - but I would think it was a bit mean of them.

Stick a fiver in the card. That's what I have done in these situations before.

I'd be tempted to take a book as a substitute to a card and put a message plate in the front. But it does sound very direct so I'd think they probably don't want gifts. You could also do a charity donation in their name

No I wouldn't. If it says no presents I wouldn't bring a present

Honestly I’d have a wrapped gift hidden in my handbag in case everybody else has ignored the instruction and I’m the only one without a gift. But I wouldn’t walk in with a visible present or be the first to hand one over.

if I really felt too awkward to go without a gift I might put £5 in a birthday card for the kid to choose a treat.

No. After being explicitly told not to bring a present, I would not still bring one.

When did no presents please, mean actually please bring one? OP, it's straightforward! Just give a card!

I would put £5 or £10 in a card.

They don't want presents so don't take one.
It's not complicated.

No,, I'd put a tenner in a card though.

I would also put £10 in the card.

I tried this when my kids were little. I didn't think it through properly and it ended up that some people bought presents and others didn't. I think it made people feel awkward. I also forgot the fact that a lot of kids like to buy presents for their friends. I did it for all the right reasons and we genuinely didn't want presents. It was for my two sons who were not interested in the type of gifts they were given as presents (they were always polite and grateful though)

I think I'd take a gift certificate for £10

I’d take some sweets. Maybe not wrapped up so it doesn’t look like a present?

Or a fiver in a card!

No. I'd just follow the instructions, no presents means no presents.

I'd sponsor a meerkat or something. Put the email confirmation in the birthday card.

I would pop a tenner in the card .

I would also put some money in a card.

Of course not when they specify not to. Fiver in a card.

I always pop £10 in a card. ☺️

I get that it's a clear instruction but I am not sure if it's a more nuanced "don't worry if you can't afford to" kind of message. Will put some money in a card as you suggest.

Well if they meant something else that's up to them isn't it.

If someone says something to me I take it as it is.

Otherwise they should have said something else

I don't bring any gifts or a card. Definitely wouldn't put cash in a card. I view giving kids birthday party gifts as a social obligation in exchange for attending the party. If they've specified they don't want that then I fully respect that.

Well it's not for the parents isn't it, it's for the kids. I am sure the kids are not concerned about social obligations.

I said this recently as my daughters birthday is just after Christmas and even she said she had no ideas left. Of the 25 who came - about 3
brought a present, about 18 put money in the card and about 4 nothing, so whatever option you do will be fine I reckon.

I felt a bit bad that so many had put money in the card I honestly had meant
no present, don’t bring anything! I wasn’t clear apparently!