Invitation Wording

[101handbags]

I am reaching a 'milestone' (ahem) birthday in January and want to organise an afternoon tea in London for close family and friends. From experience I know I have to think about booking this now in order to get in around December/January time.
Can anyone give me any advice on the wording for the invitations as firstly I don't want any presents as I don't want or need anything and secondly the afternoon tea will be on me. I don't want couples thinking that if they come with their 2 kids they will be paying for 4 afternoon teas etc, it will be my treat and I don't want people to be put off by the thought they may have to pay for it (as some will already have spent money on travel, accomodation etc to get here).
Any advice appreciated - thank you.

If I had an invite to afternoon tea, I would probably expect the inviter was paying. But you could have "as it's my ahemth birthday, afternoon tea's on me!"

I like that idea - thank you very much liliputlady!

You could also say something like...."as it's my birthday I'd love to treat my friends and family to tea at x".

The thing about no presents is much harder though. Very hard to get people to believe it firstly, they'll think you're just being polite. And hard to word on invite.

Maybe nearer the time get a friend or dh to spread the word that you really don't want presents, but would love a card with a special memory of your friendship written instead.

Thank you potoftea also for your advice - I agree it's hard to get across that you don't want presents without it sounding insincere. I went to a 70th last year for a friend's dad and he had simply written 'No Presents Thank You' on the invitation but people still bought them. I like the idea of asking for a card as a keepsake.

Could you say "No presents please, but donations appreciated for a charity of your choice" I have been to a few parties like this. I think people like to buy a present if going to a party, so this may get around that.

mollymax - I had thought of that but was wondering if it's ok to actually name the charity (as my father is ill and I would like people to give to the related charity). I thought this might be a nice thing to do as he is in a home and won't be able to attend. Thanks for your advice!

we went to a 40th recently where on the back of the invitation there was a pic of the birthday girl with her mum and underneath a message saying that as we all knew her mum had died from cancer a few months earlier and instead of gifts she would be delighted if anyone wanted to dontate some money to cancer research.

Depending on how old you are and how retro you're feeling, you could have a Milky Bar humorous invitation - saying "The Milky Bars (teas) are On Me!"

I think the charity donations are probably the best way to go to avoid presents - but chances are someone will still get you one and donate to the charity as well - some people just love to give and are affronted at not being allowed/able to.

Sorry, Yes, I meant your choice. My friend has done it for British Heart Foundation. One which is close to you, with possibly a reason why.

yep a charitable donation would be great as then people will feel bad bringing you presents rather than donating to charity: problem solved!
Just say 'No presents please but dontations to x in honour of my x would be greatly appreciated'

Why don't you want presents???

Presents are lovely .

And the nicest bit of presents is thinking of something lovely and giving it to someone.

I think people who say they don't want presents are thinking only of themselves and not aappreciating that some of us really enjoy buying and giving presents.

OK, if you don't want anything lavish/don't want crap stuff you feel obliged to display in your home when you actually hate it then perhaps say something along the lines of .... no big presents, I have everything I need ... but accept that some/most people will want to give you something as an expression of their friendship to you.