Kids birthday party - would this be okay?

[Mickey527]

My neice decided on her own when she was 6 that she didn't want or need any toys but the dogs and cats at the local shelter down the street from her did.
She asked on her invitations for toys and food for the animals instead of gifts for her.
She took all the stuff to the shelter the next day and they posted her photo in the paper. Since then there have been so many of her friends that have done the same or asked for food for the food pantry or elderly clubs in the town.
I think that writing this on the invitation woudl be fine and she should be commended for being so generous to others.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I personally love the idea of no gifts and asking for donations to the Humane society.

However, another way to avoid a ton of gifts is to have a gift exchange. My kids went to the birthday party of one of their best friends right before Christmas. She wanted a big party so instead of gifts she asked for everyone to bring an ornament and they had an ornament exchange. Even though the ornament wasn't for her my kids felt like they weren't going empty handed.

Since your DD doesn't have a Christmas birthday she could have a book exchange.

 

[emma'smom]

My dd has been invited to several parties that make these requests. I've never been offended by the.

One party requested that each party attendee bring a can of pet food or a pet toy to donate to the Humane Society instead of bringing gifts. The "theme" of the party was "animals" with an emphasis on Dogs (as this was the party girl's big passion). So they played animal related games, did an animal related craft, I think the cookies were shaped like dog biscuits, etc.

The second party requested a donation (.50 or a 1.00) in lieu of gifts to be donated to a "Save the Rainforest" campaign. The theme of the party was "tropical rainforest" and part of the party activities included deciding which project would be a good one where they might send the money. The dad had prepared a little set of videos about rainforest animals and maps that they looked at together.

The bottom line is that we all know that one usually takes a gift to a birthday party....so why not call a spade a spade and have some fun with it if you don't want gifts.

I thought they were both good ideas and meaningful to the children.

Now I asked dd5 if she wanted to do something like this and she chose not to as she is very excited about the fun of unwrapping gifts, etc. I went with her wishes because she's five...and gifts are fun too.

I wouldn't push a "no gifts" party on a child---but if they are interested in one, I think that's ok too.

 

[StitchFanZ]

At that age the guest can still wrap and let the birthday kid have the have fun opening the presents for the animal shelter. As my DD got older she started asking for no gifts - but if they really want to bring something a homemade card or something to put towards a package for the animal would be appreciated. She has gotton some really awesome and meaningful cards.

 

[npmommie]

I think she is 5 and if she has too many toys oh well. LOL
let her have the fun of all those gifts, surely there will be some she does not like nor want or play with.
you can donate those to charity.

I would not put anything about gifts or donations on the invites.
and although I feel the humane society is a wonderful organization to donate to, not everyone will feel that way, and you may turn some off with that request.

let her get the gifts and have the fun of a 5 yr olds birthday party.
the other alternative is to not invite so many to the party.

really I think that is too many for a 5 year olds party.

why not keep it to her friends, the ones she is close with?
it will make for a less crazy party.

 

[zoemurr]

At that age the guest can still wrap and let the birthday kid have the have fun opening the presents for the animal shelter. As my DD got older she started asking for no gifts - but if they really want to bring something a homemade card or something to put towards a package for the animal would be appreciated. She has gotton some really awesome and meaningful cards.

The "no gifts please" but "a homemade card would be nice". The kids enjoy presenting them.

I love large parties but hate the excess and wasted $. My DD especially never really liked toys (bookworm). I told her that they would probably all bring Barbies and Polly Pockets anyway, and she had no use for those. She was fine with it at 5 (the first year we did it.. and yes.. her brother really had no choice as it was the tradition by then, but has never complained.) They love taking their donations to the Ronald McDonald House and a big fuss is made over how generous they are. In 10 or so parties, we have only had one family bring a gift when the card asked not to. (I do mention it when they RSVP.)

Now that they are 9/11 I give them the choice every year. Big party with no gifts, or a few friends and gifts. They have always chosen the big party.

Have fun!