Parents have decreed no present - do I buy one?

[fadingfast]

My DS is going to a party tomorrow and the parents have specified on the invites 'no presents please'. I suspect lots will ignore and buy one anyway, so I don't know what to do - buy one or risk looking tight?? The party is for a 4yo.

What should I do?

They've said no, so don't take one. I'm sure they have their reasons

Is this a joke?

No seriously. They have said no presents and please don't expect a party bag. Apparently there will be 40 children there!

I think this is a really good idea - it would be ridiculous for a child to receive 40 presents. I loathe parties because of all the tat that is received (90% of which goes straight to the charity shop). I never give party bags either. I am sure I am considered a real meanie but I don't care.

Please respect the parents' comment.

i specified no presents for ds2's 1st birthday. i gave the option of donating to a childrens charity instead, but it wasn't compulsory. some ignored and brought presents and those that didn't all donated and thought it was a great idea. a bit different from your case in that ds was only 1 and wouldn't have a cle if he got presents but a 4 year old would, however,maybe he has been really badly behaved and parents have told him no presents for birthday so getting him one could be undermining them. i dunno, if there are 40 kids going i imagine some will bring presents. i would respect the parents' wishes.

also agree that most of what people bring is rubbish, never mind all the wrapping and packaging.

I must admit I think it's a great idea - party bags are expensive and pointless and I wouldn't want a big pile of crap presents to try and 'hide' afterwards.

We specified no presents for dd's 5th party - there were 35+ children. In the invite we mentioned she sponsors a guide dog and, if they wanted to bring some pennies to put in the tine then that would be fine. Some did, some didn't. I think its a great idea (but then I would!)

o yes, and we didn't do party bags either; it was a helium balloon and piece of the birthday cake. I think the parents were quite relieved about that bit.

For my DD birthday she was given a birthday card with a little bracelet on it and loved it, I wonder if they do a boys thing like that? Then you would be giving a card with something extra.
I agree re the party bags but for my DD she loved getting the presents and received some really lovely stuff...isn't it part of the excitment of having a party when your little? Don't you remember the excitment you felt when you tore open the paper?