How Do You Say "No Gifts" If You Really Mean It??

[karina5]

We are giving DS a BBQ/Birthday Party, and would like to invite some neighbors. We don't want it to look like we are fishing for presents. We *really* just would like them to come over and have a hot dog or not dog or whatever, and have the kids play.

FYI - I'm not doing formal/written invitations. Just phone calls. I'm a very casual person. lol.

[Literate]

If you really mean it, you invite them and don't mention that it's a birthday.

[karina5]

Originally Posted by Literate

If you really mean it, you invite them and don't mention that it's a birthday.

That would be great, but my H already mentioned it is his birthday. Man, he should have thought of that!!!

[McMandy]

I think something like,

"It's ____'s birthday, but we would appreciate it if you wouldn't bring gifts. I hope that doesn't sound bad, but he/she has a lot of toys right now, and a lot of them go to waste."

Maybe offer a place to donate money, canned goods, or clothes as a "gift" instead?

[McMandy]

Oooh, that just gave me a great idea. Since people will want to bring a gift anyway, why don't you have them bring a small gift for a child, unwrapped, and you can bring them to a woman's shelter?? Just a thought.

[griffin2004]

yup, people really want to bring something; a new toy or book for the shelter would be AWESOME

[prettymom]

My SIL throws huge b-day parties for her kids but doesn't allow gifts. She does do formal invitations and at the bottoms just writes "No gifts please" and that covers it. No one has shown up with a present yet. I think if you just tell your neighbors no gifts and tell them why they probably will be fine wtih it (possibly relieved). No one wants to interfere with a parenting decision.

[mommy2abigail]

I dont know. We requested no gifts for Christmas last year and her b-day in March, and no one listened. We told them she's go plenty, we are possibly moving across the country and can't take a bunch of stuff anyway, but....she got tons of stuff anyway.

[lilyka]

I would just not mention that it was a birthday party. just invite them over for a bbq and be done with it.

if they ask if this is to celebrate ds's birthday or for a gift suggestion then tell them you would prefer no gifts.

[newmommy]

Originally Posted by lilyka

I would just not mention that it was a birthday party. just invite them over for a bbq and be done with it.

if they ask if this is to celebrate ds's birthday or for a gift suggestion then tell them you would prefer no gifts.

Exactly. Just don't mention "gifts" at all.