Need opinions - Is this totally tacky?

[preb]

My DD will be turning 5 and we're planning to have a birthday "carnival" in our backyard to celebrate. It will be a large party, including relatives, neighbors, friends and some of her preschool friends and their families. All together there will be around 60 people, because I'm not sure where to draw the line on invites!

My question is...we are truely blessed and my daughter has plenty of "stuff". My only concern with having so many people is the amount of gifts she will receive, including gifts from people who are struggling financially.

Is it completely tacky to put a small note at the bottom of the invites that says "Please keep gifts to a minimum or consider a donation to www.victoryjunction.org"? Victory Junction is a racing camp for sick kids that my husband supports.

I know from past parties (that were much smaller) how overboard people go with gifts and I also don't want people to think we're having such a large party so she can "reap the rewards".

Please give me your honest opinions...I have thick skin!

 

[Blondie]

I don't think it's tacky at all and I think it's very generous of you to mention the charity donation! I say go ahead and do it!

 

[CEDmom]

I don't think it's tacky but maybe you might want to word it differently so that it doesn't sound like you expect gifts. I know everyone would expect to bring a gift but you just don't have to say that. Maybe something like "the greatest gift you could give our DD is to come celebrate her birthday with her nothing else is necessary".

 

[FroggyinArk]

doesnt think its tacky at all,, excellent idea,, best friend secretly called all guest to his sons b day party and let them know ahead of time his son's bedroom vcr had crashed and needed replaced,, but the kid wanted to buy his own,, so dad secretly let all guests know that kiddo would rather get cash this year,, he was a lil surprised i think but he did get the money to go get his own vcr and dvd players and was real thrilled at the idea,, think was first time kid had ever spent 200 at one time,, and he decided after the party and he saw that amount,, he could buy a cheeper version,, and then he put 50 bucks into his disney jar,, ( wife andi are taking the entire family along with us and dd next time we go to wdw,, as a ty for all they have helped us with since i was hurt)

 

[vald1977]

I like the way CEDmom worded it.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by CEDmom
Maybe something like "the greatest gift you could give our DD is to come celebrate her birthday with her nothing else is necessary".

That's Awesome!

 

[Kimberle]

No, I'd just word is slightly different. I'd leave off the "please keep gifts to a minumum" and just ask for a charity donation if they like. No matter how "minimum" a gift, people are going to feel strange is they donate to the charity and see others bringing a gift.

 

[debster812]

We did something similar for DS's first birthday. We wanted to share his special day with friends, relatives, etc. DH's best friend rides in the Pan Mass challenge every year, and in order to ride, you pay $1500 or something close (it is a fundraiser for the Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber Cancer Institute).

Well, DH's friend, also happens to be the brother of my dearest friend who we lost to cancer the year before.

In our invites, we just said that we had lost CA, and that her DB was riding the Pan Mass, and that a donation to his fund would be greatly appreciated, as DS had everything a one year old could want (or need).

I do NOT think your idea is tacky at all, I would just play with the wording a little bit.

What a great idea!

 

[my3kids]

I wouldn't even mention the charity donation.....each person supposrts their own causes. I would simply say "Please, No Gifts." or however you want to word it. I bet she'll get some lovely creative cards.

 

[AMClvsMKY]

I don't think it's tacky at all. I wouldn't include the please keep gifts to a minimum but I would include the charity part. If they can benefit by your generosity, that's a great plus for them!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would go with CEDmom's. That way if people bring a gift (and they will) at least you won't have 60 of them.

 

[Kallison]

Personally even if I got that, no way would I show up at a 5 year olds party giftless. I would still have to bring alittle something, although the thought is nice. I would probably buy a toy and make the donation.

 

[GoofItUp]

My twin 8-yr-old cousins did this for their 8th birthday party. They put in the invitation that they were already abundantly blessed, and any gifts brought to the party would be donated to a charity. Their birthday was in November, so there was plenty of Christmas-time charities to pick from. There were numerous comments from parents about what a neat idea this was, and it taught the girls a great lesson about giving instead of receiving.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I don't think its tacky, I think its great. And because i know that a lot of your guests may Insist on a little something for the b-day girl anyway, I have a second idea for you.

You might want to consider donating the majority of gifts to the nearest Ronald McDonald House or Children's Hospital. I know parents who have done this and it worked out beautifully. They allowed their child to keep a small number of gifts(no more than 3) and then the child delivered the rest personally to their destination. This way, you have the charitable donations as well as a happy child who gets a small lesson in giving.

If you like the idea be sure to discuss with your DD b4 her party so she can be involved in the decision as to where the gifts will go.