My daughter will be 2 at the end of February. I'm mailing out invitations soon. I want the invitees to know that, a. gifts are not necessary, and b. we treasure used and hand-me-down gifts just as much (if not more) than new. We don't have much space in our condo for more toys, and we have a steady supply of clothing from my sister's kids. Also the economy has taken a toll on many of our friends and I don't want them to feel pressured to buy something. Additionally I'm the type to cringe at newly packaged plastic toys in general. I much prefer a well-constructed, hand-me-down toy that was built to last, and made of materials other than plastic. I'm not sure how to convey all of this (in one or two sentances) on the invitation, and perhaps it's best not to say anything at all. Any thoughts?
My sister-in-law simply put "no gifts please" on her daughter's invitations. I guess if people have any questions, they can always give you a call, right? Also, my parents would have us get rid of our old toys before our birthdays and Christmas. Make room for the new, I guess you could say. Hope this helps you.
I don't think there is a polite way to request a certain type of gift (even if it's used). So I think you either need to go the "no gifts" route or let people bring what they will. I recommend asking that people pass on the gift, and later, in a non-birthday situation, organize a toy swap. Happy birthday to your little one!
I sent an invitation by email to ~ 10 close friends whose children are my son's age and simply said "No gifts necessary - your presence is gift enough". I also mentioned that if they did want to bring something, their child could make something to give to my son. You could add "or bring a toy your child no longer uses", too.
Most people respected my wishes and some didn't but I found it was a great way to limit the gifts received because it can get to be way too much as you can run out of space so quickly.
Books would be a great idea! You can simply say that you would love to build your daughter's library with treasured favorites and, in lieu of gifts, guests are invited to bring her a book, new or read. :)
I've written "no gifts please" on the invitation. We've still received gifts but people seem to be more creative. We've gotten balloons, and other items of similar value. Some people have donated in the child's name to The Children's hospital or other things as well. I'm sure if you word it in such a way as to say hand me downs or no gifts it would be fine.
Good luck,
L.
Put on the invitation NO GIFTS PLEASE. If they question just tell them that there's no room for toys in your cramped condo and clothing is all hand me downs from your sister so no room for additional clothes.
I comepletely understand. I dread my daughters birthday as it's right after Christmas and we ussually wait a month for her party. Most my friends and family know how I feel and still don't follow through. The kids really have no clue if what they get is shiny and new and aren't concerned with it. It's the opening of the gifts that's exciting. At the age of 2 I don't think she's all that concerned with it.
What I might say is,
"no gifts, we'd just like your company to celebrate her turning 2."
Or turn it into a game or theme, What can you find for $2 for our 2yo. A going green party, 2nd hand for 2nd year of life celebration. I know people who have "2nd hand for the 2nd baby" Showers which seems to work well.
Or something like, " No gift necessary or please stick to "green" 2nd hand, hand-me-down treasures!"
Hope these helped. But as your friends when they RSVP I would agian stress whatever you write on the invitation.
I also really like the idea od a donation to a Charity someone suggested! My sister in law did that one year and it's a great way to give to others in need. Or take what does come and donate it to a childrens hospital or something and let them know your using it as a learning experience or something along those lines.
i don't know either, sorry! but what i did when my son turned two, i figured he would enjoy a day out with his friends as much or more than a party. i verbally invited a handful of his friends, and we met at a free local petting zoo/botanical garden. (obviously this wouldn't work in february but maybe there's something similar nearby.) i let the parents know no presents were expected, and we all had a blast! on a different day, we had a small private party at grandma's, where his cousins/aunts/uncles etc gave him presents - which you could call them up individually and explain things too, being family i'm sure they'd get it. i think if you really want to do this it's not very realistic to invite a huge group. good luck, happy birthday to your little girl!
My daughter had an invite to a party and on there is said 'no gifts please'....simple as that. Or instead of paper invites send an evite (evite.com) and you can write more on there , you can say please join us to celebrate..... Birthday and toy exchange , encourage people to bring along unwanted/unused toys so they can have a swap.
We did a party at the Mcdonald's playland one year when I was in a crunch, and I didn't send an invitation, I made a phone call and made it feel more like an infomal gathering. I told them not to bring gifts as it was just a playdate for her birthday, and I would bring cupcakes. We only invited closest freinds, (4).
What you can do is say on the card "In leiu of gifts, please make toy donations to a local charity of your choice." Or put "ressession Buster Birthday - used toy swap" in the card, as one mom said- what a great idea. Bring one old toy and every child goes home with a new one. That way she won't be bombed with toys, and when she looses interest, you can just donate it to charity. Guarantee that will be a popular option among those attending! Each child will go home very happy to have attended and the moms will be happy too. It will teach your child the joy of sharing and caring instead of getting.
I've always hated going to those parties where there is 25 kids and a 20 foot pile of gifts and the kid opening them throws them over their shoulder to open the next one. We always keep our parties very small,...2-3 kids. and then I don't have to worry about piles of gifts. If someone asks what my child needs then I have a suggestion that is 10.00 or under, like socks, art supplies, a pad of paper, bird seed, a packet of flower seeds, ect.
Good luck.
I would not put anything in the invitation, but if people ask (and they will) you can tell them your wishes. We often tell people that a deposit to our daughters college fund would be one of the best gifts for her (she is 15 months and neither wants or needs anything).
If you truly don't want gifts, a simple "No gifts necessary! Your presence is present enough!"
If you think that won't fly - then why not request books?
"In honor of babygirl's birthday, please help expand her library. New and recycled books will be well cherished".
ANother option is to request that folks donate their outgrown books to your local library, so they will be available for babaygirl, as well as shared with the community.
make it kinda like a toy exchange ask them instead of buying new toys why not bring something you have out grown and would like to share.
