[Jekaho]

Ok, please don't flame me for wanting to ask people to not give our son presents for his birthday. I am looking for helpful suggestions of wording, rather than people telling me off for ripping off our child on his special day.

So, my son is having his first birthday "big" party with friends as well as family two days before Christmas. He's turning 4. We are very excited about it - he is excited. We want to it be a time of celebration and fun - something that he will love, special memories with friends and family etc. We don't want lots of presents - we don't have room and he doesn't need them. We know friends and family will want to give presents and that is lovely. But we don't see the need for presents from 70-odd people.

We don't want to ask for money, or for particular gifts. So I was thinking about somehow putting on the invite something about if you're wanting to buy a present for his birthday, please consider bringing along a present to be donated to the Kmart Wishing Tree instead.

But I really don't know how to word it.

I had been thinking about a can of food or something to donate, but because the wishing tree is still open on Christmas Eve, the timing is good.

How do you think I can work it in to the invite:
1. so it makes sense and people get on board with it
2. so it isn't presumptuous about a gift being given or rude asking for something

Any wordsmiths out there??

PS. Yes, he will be getting presents from us, and from family, but not at the party.

This post has been edited by Jekaho: 03/11/2012, 10:54 AM

[SlinkyMalinki]

I really don't like being dictated to donate to charity.

I also don't like coming empty handed to a party. There's always 'that person' who brings a gift anyway and makes everyone else feel bad.

I'd much rather a request like 'we're building a library of books' or 'collection of matchbox cars' or similar.

[TheSmithFamily]

I think it is a fantastic idea! We have done similar things for birthdays and Christmas.


Maybe something like:

" My son has everything he needs, his present is your prescence at his party to celebrate. Please consider a donation for children in need either by placing a gift at Kmarts wishing tree or donate to your favourite charity to share the love this birthday and festive season"

Bron

[idignantlyright]

Is there a big ticket item you think he would like, such as an outdoor swing or cubby house set?

You could layby it and ask people to contribute whatever they could afford to the layby. Or give him a gift card in an anonymous envelope.

[MrsLexiK]

I don't think it is fair to your child. I also don't like being told who to donate to.

[Mummy2907]

How about something like:

"You are welcome to bring a present but please note that as our DS already has everything he needs, we will be donating your gift to the Kmart wishing tree"

(obviously you need to somehow do this so that your little one doesn't see gifts that he thinks may be for him )

[meggs1]

Is your son old enough to agree that some of his presents should go to help others? If so, ask him about it and write what he says on the invitation.

If not then its his birthday (not yours) and I think you should let people do what they want with their own time and money.

This post has been edited by meggs1: 03/11/2012, 11:12 AM

[meggs1]

How about something like:

"You are welcome to bring a present but please note that as our DS already has everything he needs, we will be donating your gift to the Kmart wishing tree"

(obviously you need to somehow do this so that your little one doesn't see gifts that he thinks may be for him )

That's horrid. I wouldn't come to the party.

[harryboy]

I would respect your request if you asked but I would still bring a little present along for your son.

[namie]

I agree with SlinkMalinki but I'm firmly of the opinion that one can never have too many books.

I think I would just happily receive what was given and then donate anything we don't need or don't have room for to charity. But I would never have 70-odd people at a child's birthday party so it will never be a problem for me. I don't reckon I'd even get 70 at my wedding even if flew in DPs family.

You could just suggest that people purchase a gift from Oxfam which helps other people - it was mentioned in another thread and is a great idea. Your son would probably get a kick out of his great-aunt Alice (or whoever) buying a goat for a village.

This post has been edited by namie: 03/11/2012, 11:16 AM