Invited to a "pseudo" party 45 minutes before the event. Would you feel bad if?...

[Papa Deuce]

One of my two daughter's friend's mom, called us today to invite my daughters to go swimming with her daughter. During the conversation the woman said, "we're having just a small birthday party for Jenna, as her birthday is tomorrow".

I found out that my daughters and 2 other kids were the only ones invited... all were invited today.

So, my wife was happy to let them go, as was I, but my wife was borderline "freaking out" that it was a birthday party, and we had no presents for the birthday girl.

I told my wife to forget about it, as nobody could reasonably expect you to have presents in this situation.... Still, my wife ran out to Walmart, and got the girl a present.

I personally, would not have felt even a little bad given how this all came together... how about you?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I would have done the same thing as your wife.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Me to...although, if it wasn't possible to run out to Walmart, I still would have let the girls go.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm confused. Post title says 45 minutes but text says it is the day before.

In any case--my daughters never go empty handed. They will give whatever they have and make a card. (When we don't have enough time and when we have bought a gift--they will still gift something of their own that they feel the birthday person might like.)

Your wife did the right thing.

 

[metime]

The party was the day they were asked, but the girl's actual birthday wasn't until the next day.

 

[MELSMICE]

I'm confused. Post title says 45 minutes but text says it is the day before.

In any case--my daughters never go empty handed. They will give whatever they have and make a card. (When we don't have enough time and when we have bought a gift--they will still gift something of their own that they feel the birthday person might like.)

Your wife did the right thing.

The birthday was the following day, I believe. They were celebrating the day the girls were invited.

That being said......if I had time I would get a gift on the way probably (or at least try).

It sounds like the mom wasn't worried about gifts & that's why it was so casual.

 

[tjmw2727]

I, like your wife, would have sent a gift. FWIW I always have a few age appropriate books, a couple gift cards and some craft kits on hand just in case. When I see something fun on sale I grab it and put it aside for just such a time as you describe.

You never know when the invitation was forgotten in the back pack while your dd already said yes or if the week just gets away from you and the next thing you know your on the way to the party.

OTOH - if I was the one inviting the day before I would not have expected or anticipated the gift.

Hope they had fun

TJ

 

[Papa Deuce]

The birthday was the following day, I believe. They were celebrating the day the girls were invited.

That being said......if I had time I would get a gift on the way probably (or at least try).

It sounds like the mom wasn't worried about gifts & that's why it was so casual.

Right. They were asked to celebrate TODAY, for a birthday that is actually tomorrow. And my kids were asked to attend only 45 minutes before the event.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I would have given a gift.

 

[goodstarr]

They were probably invited a few weeks before, but the girls never got the text

sorry, I just couldn't resist

 

[Papa Deuce]

I, like your wife, would have sent a gift. FWIW I always have a few age appropriate books, a couple gift cards and some craft kids on hand just in case. When I see something fun on sale I grab it and put it aside for just such a time as you describe.
You never know when the invitation was forgotten in the back pack while your dd already said yes or if the week just gets away from you and the next thing you know your on the way to the party.

OTOH - if I was the one inviting the day before I would not have expected or anticipated the gift.

Hope they had fun

TJ

Yep, she usually does, but just did not have anything like that today.

I hope they are having fun, as they are still there, now.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

I don't know. I don't think it's reasonable to expect a gift with 45 minutes notice. Not that you can't run out, it's just that it's not reasonable. I would have maybe given money.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I would definitely run to the store and get a gift!

 

[pandora174]

I think I would of stopped by Walgreens on the way & gotten a gift & one of those giftbag sets they have ready to go. Just me though, as I hate for DS to show up empty handed. But I've just started to stock up on gifts since school started this year. So many b-day parties & my DS loves going to "all" of them ! I have 3 girl gifts (lots of girls in DH class) & I need to stock on boy gifts when I see them on sale. I also have b-day wrapping paper so I'm almost ready for b-day season as my DH calls the school year

 

[kirbsam]

my wife would want to get a gift, and i would just let them go.

 

[tonilea]

I would go to the store and get a gift or maybe an envelope or card with cash - what kid doesn't like the green stuff? But, if I was the mother who did the inviting, I wouldn't expect gifts and would ask for "No gifts" to let the other parents off the hook.

 

[princess momma]

I don't get what's "pseudo" about it. They're having a casual get-together for the girls birthday, so yeah, I'd send a gift. We usually keep extra cards in the house and if I didn't have a small gift laying around I'd stop somewhere quick for a gift card. I usually request no gifts at my kids' parties but many people think that's tacky. We just prefer guests don't feel pressured to spend money to attend.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd have tried to get a gift, even if it meant running out to the store. At the very least, I'd have picked up a gift card.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I don't get what's "pseudo" about it. They're having a casual get-together for the girls birthday, so yeah, I'd send a gift. We usually keep extra cards in the house and if I didn't have a small gift laying around I'd stop somewhere quick for a gift card. I usually request no gifts at my kids' parties but many people think that's tacky. We just prefer guests don't feel pressured to spend money to attend.

I said "pseudo" because the event was very small, and organized on the spur of the moment. The girl's mom said that they had just decided today to have anything at all.

I left for work, but I am sure that my kids made a card... they love doing that stuff.

 

[allison443]

I would probably stop at CVS or a supermarket and buy a gift card...if I didn't want to do that, I'd give $20 in a card...if I didn't have a birthday card on hand my kid would make a card or I'd use a blank notecard.
Sometimes my kid gives cash or a giftcard even if we have a lot more notice than 45 minutes!