Birthday Party Present Questions

No, I dont think you should... I feel its rude,out of place. and inappropriate. People want to do what they want to do. If it is a family member or friends that are close to you guys, i would say yes if they ask... take care!

I looked it up in E. Post - it isn't appropriate to make gift requests on any invitation.

I totally "get" it that your child has waaaaayyy too much stuff, so do mine. I always put "no gifts" on my kid's invitations...they get plenty from mom and dad, grandma's, aunts and uncles...it is overwhelming as it is.

Or, how about making your child's birthday an opportunity to teach social responsibility and put on the invitation that in liew of gifts for (child's name) you'd like each attendee to bring a sack of canned goods for a local food bank, or a children's book that will be donated to a local literacy program, etc. Could be a really nice way to teach the children the importance of giving back to the community - you can't start too young.

I don't think you should put any type of "present request" on the invitation itself, but if some of your son's friends' parents call to ask for gift advice, you can let them know at that time a gift card would be most appreciated. Good luck!

Hi K., I don't think it is crass, I'm not sure how happy your little guy will be when he opens up gift cards, but it could work i'm not sure how to word it, you could say Gift Cards welcomed, I'm not sure I would name a store, this way he may receive gift cards maybe for clothes, learning materials, things like that, and also like this, it won't come accross like it has to be a gift card. You will probably get better ideas than mine, let me know what you decide. J. L.

i dont see it as a problem. maybe write it in the invitation card. also a good way to figure out what he wants is to make a registry at toys are us and take your son then you can scan whateveer he shows a lot of intrest in. also what i would suggest is taking out the toys he doesnt play with (or better yet let him pick the toys that he doesnt play with) and donate them to the good will or something (which is a tax write off and you can look online for their pricing). what i do with my daughter is buy toys that are just a little old for her (shes 18mos so i buy toys that are for 2-3yrs) that way she is challenged a bit and keeps intrest in it longer. good luck im sure your son will enjoy picking out his own toys!

I think that next time I have a party I will insert a paper into the invitation respectfully saying gifts are not necessary, but asking for either gift cards or gift receipts are requested. I know that it might seem rude, but I have one child and with the amount of toys I have around my house - many of which I could not take back or exchange because there was no gift receipt - and the fact that many of the stores don't let you return gifts without a receipt... what else is there to do?!
I hate to say it, but I would rather get a gift card for someplace that I can buy toys, clothes, or diapers (the latter 2 are not as fun for people to purchase, but still very necessary and a huge expense... as you all know!)

We have decided to do birthday parties for our kids once every three years simply to stop the flow of toys. We do a party with friends one year and the next two years, we just have parties with family. We go out to dinner and have cake at home, open a few presents and we're done. You'll cut down on too many toys and it is so much cheaper.

Personally, I wouldn't advise writing it on the invitation. I find that many people ask what he needs/wants and you can then let them know that he doesn't need any toys really so either clothes, gift cards, or even savings bonds are great ideas. I'd only offer this information if asked. In my personal opinion, while my 4 year old likewise doesn't need any more toys, I think it would be ill received by many people to actually tell them on the invite. Wait for them to ask. Of course, if your family is like mine, they play by different rules. I tell grandma and grandpa exactly what he does/doesn't need and they appreciate the guidance. But as for friends, I'd stick to a more traditional invite and wait for their inquiry.

Hope that helps!

Hi K.,

I know you already have received a lot of good advice, so I will make mine short. I agree with the moms who say not to put a preference in the invitation. I too think it is rude. If someone asks, then ofcourse tell them that gift cards are great because then he can go on a shopping spree.

When my kids get too much or toys that aren't their "thing", I put them away for later on in the year or I save them for toys for tots at Christmas time. We take ours to the Fire Station and every year a fireman lets the kids take a tour - sit in the truck, try on the jacket and pants, feel how heavy a hose is. They love it every year. We also buy toys for this but they don't mind giving up their extras either. I feel this is a fun holiday tradition which also teaches community responsibility to my kids.

Good luck.

I think that everyone that comes to a child's birthday party wants to get what the mommy needs AND the child wants. I would put in your invitation that your son has so many wonderful toys that you request that they purchase him clothes in whatever sizes he needs (for those people who simply HAVE to shop for a present) or that a gift card would is JUST what he needs and an amazing present as it allows him to pick out what he finds irresistible. Letting the gift giver do something that is JUST what your son would want/need gives them the feeling that they are truly helping your son. Good luck!

hello! kids birthdays are tough! :) and your son is at a age that clothes and gift cards might not be to exciting for him to open on his big day. what i did was i put a art type theam in my card and asked to help with the creative side, paints, crayons, paper, play doe, coloring books. these for me seem to be the things i am always refilling anyway! this way it saves you the trip. plus this still leaves lots of room for the gift buyers AND your son gets a stack of gifts that every child wants! my daughter loved all the gifts she got and we didnt even get any duplicates! most people coming to the party im sure knows all about too many toys! :) i dont think they would mind a little guidance in what to get him. hope this helps. remember you know your guests better then any of us, do what you think and im sure it will all turn out fine.