Mom2MomSC
Presents or No Presents? This is the Question!
Ok, Moms I have a question, I'm sure we have all faced or are going to face soon. I'm going to our third child birthday party of the month and it's only April 11. I have two young ones so the parties add up fast. The gifts are getting to be more then my budget allows (even if I keep it small they add up quick). I have my daughters birthday coming up next month. I would like to try to set a precedent and tell my friends and family to not bring gifts. Just come and enjoy the party. We all are spending a pretty penny on the parties, lets just make this the fun.
Or am I being a party pooper? My mother feels it is unfair to the kids but really how many My Little Pony / Pet Shop / Barbie ect.... can one child have. It's starting to look like over kill and putting lots of preasure on the guests. I don't want to give up on the parties cause the kids love them and playing with the kids. Any ideas or suggestions?
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Comments
I totally agree that buying birthday presents really adds up. So one year we wrote in the invitations and told everyone not to bring gifts. All but one person brought a gift anyway!
A friend of mine had a cool idea. She picked a charity and asked everyone to just donate money directly to the charity or bring money that could be donated in her daughter's (the birthday girl's) name. At least that way the money goes to a good cause instead of towards MORE toys.
I have three children and several times we have asked that in lieu of a gift to bring a something that would be donated to a designated charity. Once we had everyone bring a book that was donated and once we had everyone bring art supplies for a local charity. I had asked the charity what they could use and this is what they asked for. I also feel that a book or craft supplies can be purchased for a lot less than most gifts.
Good luck-
I think we get stuck with "traditions". This is what you are suppose to do. We have to begin changing with the times and live in our NOW reality. I think we need to thing outside the box when it comes to all of the birthday parties. We actually don't give our kids parties every year. We tell family and friends that we are going to a certain restaruant to celebrate our child's b-day and if you would like to join us please do. We gave the kids parties when they turned 1 and 5. They are now 6 and almost 10 and they are use to the "new tradition" and the best part is they get to pick the restuarant.
Millette Tucker
I have heard of people asking each guest to bring a new book to exchange in lieu of gifts. This is usually less expensive than a toy and each child walks away with something.