Why do parents insist on bringing gifts when the invite says "No Gifts!"

[crashbb]

My story is consistent, but I won't waste any more time with you explaining it.

If it makes you happy to think that you are being consistent (or that you wrote a coherent sentence), so be it.

Think of it as a belated Festivus gift.

That's the usual answer of someone who cannot come up with a response when their inconsistencies have been pointed out.

 

[Dancemom03]

My child does not desire as many material stuff as other children. Believe it or not, she enjoys the enrichment of the experience like visiting a cow, or a limo with her friends more than just STUFF. I'm sorry it is so hard for so many of you to comprehend.

We have talked about unplayed with, unopened toys from celebrations in the past and she gets it in her own way...

She's a child and children want to please. At this age, she'll like whatever those most important to her value, in an effort to please them. That doesn't mean she also wouldn't enjoy normal childhood activities in addition to those you find so appealing for her. Children learn from EVERY experience, even the seemingly trivial ones like receiving small gifts. I'm guessing that basic tenent of child development might be a bit hard for you to comprehend though.

....So many people say that THEY would feel some way if they did not bring a gift. Those people need to realize that the party is not about THEM.

It isn't about you either despite your apparent desire to totally dominate the event. We are talking about a child's party right? It should be about her and her friends.

I'll leave whether giving/receiving gifts is good/bad/rude for others to debate. I just see this particular example as the incredibly selfish act of a controlling parent - but then I also think we're being tweaked so what do I know...

 

[testifyoncruises]

It isn't about you either despite your apparent desire to totally dominate the event. We are talking about a child's party right? It should be about her and her friends.

And guess what it is! The no gifts was our rule because we are tired of waste and unused unplayed with toys. That must be hard for you to comprehend though.

The party is about her, but we do get to guide her and impose our will on her. She made the decision on what SHE WANTED. She knows we have requested no gifts, but that must also be hard for you to comprehend this normal part of child development.

 

[RainbowBrite]

. She knows we have requested no gifts, but that must also be hard for you to comprehend this normal part of child development.

Since when is telling a child they can't have any gifts for their birthday a normal part of child development? I must have been absent the day they taught that in my child development education training.

 

[AshleyW]

So, I just opened this thread today, and finally made it through all the posts.. and all I can say is.. oh. my. gosh.

Best thread ever.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Well OP, you will know the parents are sending gifts just to mess with you if one the of the girls shows up with baseball tickets, one with a Swiss cow shirt (http://www.zazzle.com/farming_cartoon_humor_about_brown_swiss_cattle_tshirt-235910112862135926), one with a pole dancing doll (http://www.parentdish.com/2009/08/31/next-up-a-pole-dancing-doll/), a Pee Wee Herman doll and the other two have gift cards to Houstons. I can hear a sweet little six year old saying, "It's not a gift it's a giftCARD" right now Otherwise I think you can safely assume no harm is meant if someone decides to honour your DD on her special day with a physical token of their friendship.

 

[C.Ann]

Really makes me sad that the OP has all of these unused, unwanted toys lying all about, but has yet to mention donating them to a good cause..

The only logical reason I can think of is that the OP removes something from this "stockpile" for OP's DD to take to birthday parties where gifts "are" a part of the celebration in order to save money..

Also - I have a gut feeling that this poster is a "he".. A "he" that had been here awhile back, dropped out of sight, and then returned after reinventing himself.. Something about the "style" of writing/responding and the content of the threads.. Then again, I could be totally off base.. Wouldn't be the first time..LOL..

 

[NHdisneylover]

Really makes me sad that the OP has all of these unused, unwanted toys lying all about, but has yet to mention donating them to a good cause..

I completly agree.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Maybe we could start a Festivus Foundation?

 

[mum4jenn]

Really makes me sad that the OP has all of these unused, unwanted toys lying all about, but has yet to mention donating them to a good cause..

The only logical reason I can think of is that the OP removes something from this "stockpile" for OP's DD to take to birthday parties where gifts "are" a part of the celebration in order to save money..

Also - I have a gut feeling that this poster is a "he".. A "he" that had been here awhile back, dropped out of sight, and then returned after reinventing himself.. Something about the "style" of writing/responding and the content of the threads.. Then again, I could be totally off base.. Wouldn't be the first time..LOL..

I TOTALLY agree with you. I bet we are thinking of the same....person.

 

[luvvseeyore]

If the OP is so worried about receiving unwanted gifts, then something should have been written on the invitations along the lines of: "In lieu of gifts, please feel free to make a donation to _________ - or the charity of your choice.."

Problem solved..

yes, I like the in lieu of gifts...as I would feel bad not bringing something. I always bring something whenever I go somewhere, for dinner, etc...

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

So, I just opened this thread today, and finally made it through all the posts.. and all I can say is.. oh. my. gosh.

Best thread ever.

Same here. I'm always late to the good ones.

 

[JESW]

OP - are you even a Disney fan or are you just someone who posts on various boards community boards?

 

[Bluestars]

Nope, not confusing anything. You stated that you have told your family NO GIFTS for Festivus for many years.

I'm confused now. He told his family No Gifts for Festivus, yet his family ignored his demand? OMG.

I'm more confused about his family celebrating Festivus. I googled it and found this:

Festivus is a secular holiday celebrated on December 23. It was created by writer Dan O'Keefe and introduced into popular culture by his son Daniel, a screenwriter for the TV show Seinfeld[1][2] as part of a comical storyline on the show.

History

Although the original Festivus took place in February, 1966, as a celebration of the elder O'Keefe's first date with his future wife, Deborah,[2] it is now celebrated on December 23, as depicted on the December 18, 1997 Seinfeld episode "The Strike."[1] According to O'Keefe, the name Festivus "just popped into my head."[2]

So a writer made this up for a show and the OP celebrates it? No disrespect to the OP, but I am almost speechless. Almost.

 

[Bluestars]

I am sorry I am not understanding your point? Family tends to get a pass, but they ignore the no gift request all the time and we do think it quite RUDE.

DD makes a list for Festivus and for her birthday? Not sure of your point again. DD has received enough non played with toys in her life that we know what is best for our child.

Do you let your daughter get gifts for Festivus or not? I assume if she is making a list, she is allowed to ask for gifts. Why does she make a list of gifts for her birthday if she is not allowed presents?

 

[itchin2go]

So a writer made this up for a show and the OP celebrates it? No disrespect to the OP, but I am almost speechless. Almost.

If THAT leaves you speechless, I can't wait to hear what you think about the sheep ....



When OP posted that part about visiting the leased sheep in Switzerland, I picture him laughing so hard, he cried. Troll, for sure, but a very entertaining one.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I Googled Festivus too and I'm astonished at the sheer number of entries for it. There are people who celebrate it, apparently. This site seems to take it seriously:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/festivus.htm

It was invented in 1966 by a guy whose son became a writer on the Seinfeld show. While Festivus is celebrated on December 23, the Seinfeld episode that popularized it was first seen on 12/18/97.

Festivus for the Rest of Us!

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Festivus?? Seriously??

I had a feeling this post wasn't worth responding to..

 

[Bluestars]

Festivus?? Seriously??

I had a feeling this post wasn't worth responding to..

And that's not even the strangest part of this thread.

 

[AshleyW]

If THAT leaves you speechless, I can't wait to hear what you think about the sheep ....



When OP posted that part about visiting the leased sheep in Switzerland, I picture him laughing so hard, he cried. Troll, for sure, but a very entertaining one.

Oh, no, it's not a sheep! It's a cow, geez, get it right. Leasing a sheep would be completely silly, but a cow on the other hand...