"Your presence is present enough"

[muppetinma]

Do you listen to it?  We just got a first birthday invite from one of Andrew's friends and they said no gifts, but he brought a gift for A.  Should I respect their wishes?  Or get him something small anyway?

[dixeedeluxe]

I'm listening to it for a party we're going to in a few weeks. I don't know the kid well enough to know what she likes/has. So I'm brining me and my family and they can feed us and let us use their pool and THEY WILL LIKE IT DAMN IT!

[dixeedeluxe]

Actually, now that I think about it, Edie is old enough to know about gift-giving. Maybe we'll pick out a book so she can give the gift.

[Deleted]

I would maybe bring like a book or something.

When I say it I mean it, though.

[ruby412]

I'd probably get something small anyway.

[TrudyCampbell]

When I write it, I mean it. I would prob bring a small book though.

[rubber pants]

I usually get a card and put a small $10 gift card in with it. I usually get Barnes n Noble or Toys R Us. I hate showing up empty handed.

[carawestt]

Aug 27, 2013 14:23:33 GMT -5 rubber pants said:

I usually get a card and put a small $10 gift card in with it. I usually get Barnes n Noble or Toys R Us. I hate showing up empty handed.

This exactly.

[muppetinma]

Aug 27, 2013 14:23:33 GMT -5 rubber pants said:

I usually get a card and put a small $10 gift card in with it. I usually get Barnes n Noble or Toys R Us. I hate showing up empty handed.

Brilliant.  B&N FTW!

[CrazyLucky]

We always write, "We sincerely request no gifts" on the kids' invitations. Almost all non-family members honor it, and we prefer it that way. That's why we write it. If someone feels obligated to get something, I'd rather they get a book than a toy or clothes.

[claralou]

When I put it on C's invitations, I genuinely meant it. Everyone ignored it. I have never been so bitter as I was writing those thank you cards. I meant it, dammit!

[katfco]

I might do a gift card, or some cash so they could add it to the kids' savings if they wanted, but if they specifically said no gifts, I'd honor it. Some people have tons of stuff already and no room. I have one friend who won't let her kids have anything with batteries. Usually when people say it, they mean it.

[Faevantastic]

I'd do a gift card. I put it on E's invitation and no one, not one person, listened!

[dixeedeluxe]

If anyone gives my kids gift cards, I use them for household expenses like diapers and shit. I'll continue to do that until they understand what money is.

[pitterwoo]

I don't trust it!
Once I got a "not a bridal shower" invitation that said not to bring anything and that we were just going to spend some time celebrating the bride. It also literally said "non shower shower" or the like. The bride was a pretty reserved person so I thought maybe she had conveyed that she would be uncomfortable opening gifts. When I got there is WAS a regular shower and the rest of her friends did have gifts.

I was embarrassed and pissed because I never would have come empty handed if not for the instructions. I asked TN for advice and they suggested always carrying a backup GC in the purse JIC.

[Deleted]

I always mean it. Unfortunately our kid friend circle doesn't!!!! Rage!!!!!

[formerlyllizzyb]

If that's written on the invite I'm following instructions. I'd bring a card. Gifts add up, yo. And if I specify that, I expect others to follow it, too.

[greenkitty98]

It depends. I listened (but had B make a hand made card) for a close friend's party, because I knew that was what his mom wanted. However, most of the time I will bring something small...usually a book.

[dojo]

All gifts all the time. I never go to party empty handed.

[browneyedhunni85]

I would feel weird going to a party without a gift. IDK, it's just weird to me.

[jfh]

Aug 27, 2013 14:50:22 GMT -5 claralou said:

When I put it on C's invitations, I genuinely meant it. Everyone ignored it. I have never been so bitter as I was writing those thank you cards. I meant it, dammit!

This! When I write it, I mean it, and it kind of bothers me when people ignore it. It's nice to receive a gift, but if I've specified not to, it makes me feel awkward, and possibly makes other guests (who didn't bring a gift) feel awkward.

[teamhayes]

I think people just write that to be pc when throwing a big party

I would get something anyway especially if they got you something

if they really don't want it they can donate it

[monkeybabe]

If you feel the need to bring something, I'd do something small, like a card or an unwrapped book.