when the invitation says NO GIFTS, do you take one anyway?

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

I just bring a card- sometimes with a gift card inside.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I would give a gift, but it would be something that they will consume (restaurant gift certificate for example). We went to my Aunt and Uncle's 50th Anniversary last year. The invitations said no gifts, but everybody brought a gifts. We know they love to go to the casinos, so we gave them $50 in wrapped coins that were in a basket with a book on winning at slots. They used the money about two weeks later. So they did enjoy the gift.

 

[Crankyshank]

I would bring a bottle of wine, if they drink, or something consumable for them to enjoy later. I was raised to never show up at someone's house without a gift for the hostess. If the event was at a venue then I would just bring a card.

 

[ntburns22]

We just had my dad's 50th birthday party. My parents requested no gifts since they are currently living in an apartment while they are building their new house. He is really into wine and he ended up with about 10 bottles, a wine fridge and countless giftcards. Well the wine fridge is in their bedroom. He loved that people cared enough to still give a gift. I had others come up to me and ask if everyones invite said no gifts.

 

[SandraVB79]

I would not bring a gift, but still take a box of chocolates. Belgians always give chocolates.

 

[va32h]

If the invitation expressly states "NO gifts", why on earth would anyone bring a gift? To show the host that you have no respect for their simple request?

If the invitation says the party starts at 7, do you arrive at 4? If the invitation says "formal dress" do you show up in flip flops and a tank?

If the reason is "well I don't feel right not bringing a gift" then you are putting your comfort above that of your host - which is not the most polite way to treat someone who is offering you their hospitality for the evening.

 

[mtemm]

my interpretation is that people don't want any more stuff, so we'll usually bring a bottle of wine or champagne, or maybe a gift card for a nice restaurant.

 

[Cyndiu]

Last year we had a party for my father who turned 60. He wanted no gifts and we anticipated people bringing gifts anyway. (My parents friends always do that and it makes others feel bad.) Anyway, we worded the invitation like this: No gifts for John please, but if you insist, we prefer the donation of a non-perishable gift of food for WHEAT (which is our local community food pantry). We got BAGS of food. So, it was a ton of fun to bring it all in to WHEAT and see the faces of the volunteers as we entered with all that food!

 

[caitycaity]

I would bring a bottle of wine, if they drink, or something consumable for them to enjoy later. I was raised to never show up at someone's house without a gift for the hostess. If the event was at a venue then I would just bring a card.

i agree with this and so must all of my friends. we recently had a housewarming and said "no gifts" but we got lots of wine, beer, and food type stuff (which was appreciated).

i recently went to a dinner party and every single person that came brought a bottle of wine (well actually, one brought cookies). i guess in my circle bringing something for the hostess is just what is done.

 

[mtemm]

Last year we had a party for my father who turned 60. He wanted no gifts and we anticipated people bringing gifts anyway. (My parents friends always do that and it makes others feel bad.) Anyway, we worded the invitation like this: No gifts for John please, but if you insist, we prefer the donation of a non-perishable gift of food for WHEAT (which is our local community food pantry). We got BAGS of food. So, it was a ton of fun to bring it all in to WHEAT and see the faces of the volunteers as we entered with all that food!

what an awesome compromise!!!! people hate showing up empty handed, so this makes both the guests and the guest of honor happy. I love this!

 

[Crankyshank]

I would not bring a gift, but still take a box of chocolates. Belgians always give chocolates.

Memo to self.. always invite a Belgian to my parties. Especially if they bring Belgian chocolate

 

[CookieGVB]

Memo to self.. always invite a Belgian to my parties. Especially if they bring Belgian chocolate

Took the words right out of my mouth!

 

[Chattyaholic]

We had a 50th anniversary party for my parents last October, and put "no gifts, please" on the invitations but several brought them anyway. And more put money/gift cards inside cards.

I think some people who get invited to parties like this just want to show their love and appreciation for the person/people who the party is for, and they feel giving a gift is the proper way to demonstrate that.

When I'm invited to something that says "no gifts" I abide by that, but do bring a card.

 

[azgal81]

No why bother if they don't want you to?

 

[momrek06]

We just had my dad's 50th birthday party. My parents requested no gifts since they are currently living in an apartment while they are building their new house. He is really into wine and he ended up with about 10 bottles, a wine fridge and countless giftcards. Well the wine fridge is in their bedroom. He loved that people cared enough to still give a gift. I had others come up to me and ask if everyones invite said no gifts.

This is just so hard to call! I am 52yo and have been "brought up" to ALWAYS bring a gift to a party that you have been invited to!! That being said, over the last few years, we have had numerous invites that said "NO GIFTS"! The first time I got an invite like this I "ignored" that part, I just could not bring myself to go to this huge party EMPTY HANDED! Well, now I am finding after talking to many friends and getting more invites that say no gifts...I am not bringing a gift (as asked)! It is just that, you are going to this person's home, eating their food, drinking their drinks and you just feel OBLIGATED to bring a little something!!!

 

[Todd&Copper]

I love cooking, especially baking, so if someone specifies no gifts, I usually whip up some special biscotti or something else I know they will like. This is, of course, assuming it is a smallish party and no one is "on a diet".

 

[Julia M]

If it says "no gifts" I don't bring one to the party.

If it's a close friend or family member, I will give a gift separately. Like when I see them individually, or in a card.

Usually the "no gifts" comes from not wanting more "stuff" (my parents are in this time of their life and truthfully, I'm heading there fast at 44!!)

So, I will give a gift that's appropriate for the person, because I know their interests, that isn't "stuff". So, for a friend that golfs, tokens at a local range, or a GC for a round of golf. For friends that like to read, a GC to a bookstore.

Julia