‘No Gift’ Parties For Children

If you are the parent of a young child I have no doubt that you receive invitations to other children's parties virtually every weekend. I am sure that sometimes you turn down those invitations as you simply cannot afford to buy another gift. This is not the ideal solution as your child may miss out on having a marvellous time simply due to lack of funds. The answer may lie in encouraging fellow parents to hold ‘No Gift Required' parties.

We are currently experiencing tough economic times, with many families facing hardship and uncertainty on the job front. Children's party invites with their unspoken expectation of presents just adds to the pressure. When you next hold a party for your child why not take that expectation away by stating on the invite that ‘no gifts are required - thank you.'? You may find that your child will have many more of his friends arrive and he will have a much greater time.

Some parents may dislike this option due to the simple fact that their child has attended 9 parties this year. No doubt the mum has had to buy a present for each child and has wracked up a credit card bill in the process. Surely now is the time when their child reaps the rewards at their own party?

It takes a brave soul to make the first move. If you are going to be that brave soul, talk it over with friends with similar aged children first. Try to encourage them to participate and ensure they realise that this isn't a phase you are going through. Make sure that they understand that whilst you will not be receiving presents, you will not be giving them either. It is a good idea to include a note to the parents with their child's party invitation explaining why you are taking the moral high ground. You may also wish to encourage the school to include a section on ‘No Gift Required' parties in their newsletters to help raise awareness.

For some people the giving of a small gift is better than not giving anything at all. However, these small gifts are generally of low quality and do not last 5 minutes in the hands of an over active toddler. If you would like to hold a child's party and would appreciate some gifts why not encourage the art of re-gifting?

Re-gifting is the ultimate in recycling and should be top of any environmentally friendly parent's list. Each child attending the party brings a no longer used toy/book from their own collection. The toy can be gift wrapped. All children are excited by the arrival of new toys and this doesn't mean the toy has to be newly bought, just new to the child's collection. Parents can see this as a means of recycling or de-cluttering. Either way all involved are happy. And what child wouldn't prefer a gift chosen and loved once by their friend as opposed to a gift chosen by their friend's dad? It also encourages children to share and develop more meaningful relationships. Ask your child what toy they would like their friend to receive and involve them in the wrapping process. It's not about ‘giving', more about the ‘giving up' of a treasured possession and becoming a whole nicer person because of it.

Lisa Mills runs two websites, one selling baby gifts and the other promoting childrens gift ideas.