• Blog
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
    • Sponsor/Advertise
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
Pinspired to DIY

Pinspired to DIY

Create, Craft, Design & Build!

  • Home
  • DIY Projects
    • DIY Gift Ideas
    • DIY Woodworking Projects and Plans
      • Outdoor Furniture Plans
      • Interior Furniture Plans
    • Outdoor Decor and Projects
    • DIY Home Remodel
    • Tool Reviews & Tutorials
  • Cricut Projects
  • DIY Crafts & Home Decor
  • Party Plans & Decor
  • Free Woodworking Plans

Benefits of a “No Gifts Please” Birthday Party

Party Plans, Random Musings

  • Facebook 8
  • Twitter
  • Print

No Gifts Please Main ImageMy daughter received an invitation for a birthday party for two sisters who go to her preschool/daycare. The girls were turning 2 and 4 years old and were having a princess-themed party where the kids were to come dressed in their favorite prince or princess costume. Seemed like a perfectly normal invitation, until I got down to the last sentence on the invitation – “No gifts please”.   My first reaction was a bit of shock as I have never gone to a birthday party and been asked not to bring a gift. Isn’t that one of the most fun things about having a birthday party as a child?? The excitement and anticipation of opening up all of those wonderful wrapped goodies that your friends and family have showered you with to celebrate another year of joyous youth?

Then, I started thinking of my daughter’s birthday parties we have each year. We usually have around thirty-five friends and family members at each party, which amounts to around twenty to twenty-five gifts to open since several family members often bring more than one gift (yes, I’m calling out the grandparents on that one!). Once the party is over, someone (meaning me) has to find room for ALL of these new toys and electronics and books and clothes and shoes. My daughter already has what feels like three billion toys dispersed in toy organizers throughout the house.   In addition, there are the outside toys such as scooters, tricycles, toy baby strollers, and toy shopping carts in various random places throughout the yard and on our back deck.   To top it off, anytime we go to any store where toys are sold, my daughter feels the need to tell me which of the toys on the shelf she doesn’t have yet and why it is completely essential that she have that toy right then and there.   I very rarely give in to her toy wants at the stores and as a result, I often leave the store with a very upset, whining child.

Thinking about that “no gifts please” invitation has made me realize that my daughter now expects gifts, or toys, or clothes for all holidays and parties. I don’t think she actually appreciates the value of having holiday and birthday celebrations as a means to spend valuable and enjoyable time with loved ones and friends. Instead, she values these parties for the cake, candy, and the gifts she is going to receive. She doesn’t stop to think that all of these people have taken time out of their busy schedules to come celebrate another year of life with her. I know she is only five, and most kids, including her, don’t tend to think about the reasons behind birthday or holiday celebrations, but by having “no gifts please” parties early on in the child’s life, it teaches a valuable lesson about the importance of friends and family instead of the importance of the presents they may bring.

Family is a gift that lasts a lifetime quote

Birthday parties are often so expensive to throw these days anyways. I know many parents spend a few hundred dollars on their children’s birthday parties. In addition, it seems the norm these days is to invite all the kids in your child’s classroom to the party (some schools actually have a policy that you can only bring in birthday invitations if you invite the whole class). Most classes have twenty to twenty-five children in them, which equates to twenty to twenty-five birthday parties a year just for classmates. If you add in birthday parties for kids on your child’s sports teams or in your child’s dance or gymnastics classes, plus cousins and other family members, that is a lot of gifts to have to buy over the course of a year. And many parents spend $15 to $20 per gift. That is several hundred dollars a year in birthday gifts for children’s parties.

I am going to have to seriously consider doing this for my daughter’s 6th birthday party next year. Instead of saying “no gifts please” though, I think I may encourage guests to donate $5 to a charity of my daughter’s choice in lieu of gifts. I’d like my daughter to learn that giving to others can be as much or more fun than receiving from others. I know it will be a huge adjustment and change in attitude for her to make, but hopefully it will help her to see the joy in just spending time with friends and family and to appreciate the time she is given with them.

  • Facebook 8
  • Twitter
  • Print

Related

June 29, 2015 · 17 Comments

Previous Post: « DIY Wood Garden Planter Ideas: 10 Inspiring Planters
Next Post: DIY Pet Memorial Photo Bench – Free woodworking plans »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim Seghers says

    July 1, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    I love the idea of no gift but I love your idea better. I have always thought about just asking guest to bring a donation instead for a charity of my child’s choice, but most of my relatives tell me they have to bring a gift for the birthday child!!!

    Reply
    • Pinspired to DIY says

      July 1, 2015 at 10:06 PM

      Yeah, I think getting buy-in from the relatives is going to be the hardest part of having a birthday party without gifts. My parents especially will be difficult to convince!

      Reply
  2. kathyh says

    July 1, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    I have never been to a no gift party, but it is such a good idea! I always end up with loads of stuff that they don’t really want after a couple of days and, you’re right, it feels so wrong to have so much. I love the idea of letting your daughter choose a charity, I’ll give that one a try too 🙂

    Reply
    • Pinspired to DIY says

      July 1, 2015 at 10:05 PM

      It definitely made the party more enjoyable not having to buy a gift and worry that the gift you are buying is something the child already has or even wants or likes! And the kids who the birthday party was for didn’t even seem to mind or notice the lack of gifts, they just seemed to be so happy to have all their friends and family there.

      Reply
  3. Ariel says

    July 1, 2015 at 5:45 PM

    I love this idea!! What a great lesson to learn! We all know the people in our families that will insist on giving presents (my mom comes to mind immediately), but I think a lot of parents and their children would love to donate to a good cause, and hopefully it would spread that generosity around to others and future birthdays! How fun! Thanks so much for sharing this.

    Reply
    • Pinspired to DIY says

      July 1, 2015 at 10:00 PM

      I know my parents definitely will still end up buying gifts for my daughter, but I think for parents of other kids that attend the party, it removes some of the cost burden on them. Instead of having to spend $15 or $20 on a gift, they can instead donate $5 to a charity and know they are helping out someone.

      Reply
  4. sara says

    July 1, 2015 at 5:55 PM

    I love this idea…however, my in-laws do not and did not. It was a no go with family so I ask this of my close friends (:

    Reply
    • Pinspired to DIY says

      July 1, 2015 at 9:57 PM

      Yeah, I’m not sure how my and my husband’s parents will react to a “no gifts please” party. I’m sure they will end up getting her toys anyways, grandparents always feel the need to spoil their grandchildren!

      Reply
  5. katehardin says

    July 1, 2015 at 6:36 PM

    I love your idea. At my niece’s 3rd bday she got about 15 different versions of Elsa and I thought right then to do a charity thing when my daughter has parties with friends.

    Reply
    • Pinspired to DIY says

      July 1, 2015 at 9:55 PM

      Same thing happened with my daughter’s last birthday. It was a Frozen themed party, so most of her gifts were Elsa or Anna related and many of the toys were almost identical. Donating to charity is a great way to help others and avoid having too many toys around the house.

      Reply
  6. Sara says

    July 1, 2015 at 7:59 PM

    Wow. I like it! Also love the idea of a donation. What a great way to teach giving. Our daughter turned two today… We don’t need anything!!!! So much “stuff.”

    Reply
    • Pinspired to DIY says

      July 1, 2015 at 9:52 PM

      I know, the “stuff” is never ending and ever year there seems to be more of it! After Christmas and each birthday we go through all of her old toys to choose some to donate to charity so there is room for the new toys, but it still continues to build year after year.

      Reply
  7. Velaundra{at}Velsworld.com says

    July 1, 2015 at 8:26 PM

    This is really interesting and I’ve never heard of this before but I do agree it will teach our children that sometimes it is better to give than receive. I will definitely talk it over with my husband and see what he thinks. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  8. Shaina Braun says

    July 1, 2015 at 9:25 PM

    Absolutely amazing post! I actually just had a company reach out to me where the child who is having the birthday befriends a child who doesn’t have anything. They receive donations for their birthday and purchase a gift off of the other’s wish list. Let me know if you would like their contact info I’ll dig it out of my email. The kids stories were so incredibly sweet and selfless!

    Reply
    • Pinspired to DIY says

      July 1, 2015 at 9:50 PM

      That sounds like an awesome company, I would definitely like more information about them! I would love for my daughter to be able to choose to help a child in need in place of receiving gifts for her birthday. Thanks!

      Reply
  9. SixPackMommy says

    July 2, 2015 at 2:21 PM

    I have to say, I love the idea of getting kids accustomed to giving to others, through donation. The earlier such a practice is started, the more natural it feels to a person to WANT to give to others. Not to mention that although I appreciate the kindness of those who buy my children birthday gifts, the toys typically are used for a few days, then forgotten.

    Reply
  10. Keianna says

    July 2, 2015 at 7:48 PM

    I love the idea – Excellent post! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Search

About Christine

Christine

Christine

Pinspired to DIY
Hi! I'm Christine, a full-time working wife and mom who loves to create, craft, and build! I love woodworking, DIY home improvement and DIY home decor and sharing all my projects here on my blog! Make sure to sign up for the newsletter to be notified of new projects posted on the blog!

Pinspired to DIY – Gumroad

Follow me on Gumroad to be notified of new premium plans for sale!

Most Popular Projects

  • DIY Large Outdoor Dining Table DIY Large Outdoor Dining Table
  • DIY Wishing Well: Free woodworking plans!
  • DIY Retaining Wall Border How to build a retaining wall border
  • Cricut Craft Cabinet Turn a $60 Computer Armoire into a Cricut Craft Cabinet
  • DIY Closet Organizer: Built-in Closet Organization DIY Master Closet Makeover: Built-In Closet Organizer
  • DIY Outdoor Sofa DIY Outdoor Sofa : Free Woodworking Plans!

Amazon Prime Recommendations

Pinspired to DIY Pinterest

  • Create inspirational DIY wall art using scrap wood or shiplap and a Cricut with canvas boards. Create farmhouse decor with a DIY shiplap sign or frame and adding interchangeable DIY canvas artwork created with a Cricut machine. Inspirational canvas signs framed by scrap shiplap.
  • How to upcycle a used oak computer armoire into an awesome craft cabinet. Create the perfect Cricut crafting space and storage from a $60 oak armoire. Perfect Cricut organization and storage idea. #craftcabinet #cricutstorage #cricutorganization #cricutdesk #craftdesk #craftspace #vinylstorage #crafting #furnitureupcycle #pinspiredtodiy
  • How to upcycle a used oak computer armoire into an awesome craft cabinet. Create the perfect Cricut crafting space and storage from a $60 oak armoire. Perfect Cricut organization and storage idea. #craftcabinet #cricutstorage #cricutorganization #cricutdesk #craftdesk #craftspace #vinylstorage #crafting #furnitureupcycle #pinspiredtodiy
  • Cheap and easy tutorial for how to build a DIY board and batten wall. Add farmhouse rustic charm to your hallway, entryway, dining room, living room, or bedroom with a beautiful accent wall. Easy upgrade to your home if on a budget.
  • Cheap and easy tutorial for how to build a DIY board and batten wall. Add farmhouse rustic charm to your hallway, entryway, dining room, living room, or bedroom with a beautiful accent wall. Easy upgrade to your home if on a budget.
Follow Me on Pinterest

Pinspired to DIY Instagram

pinspiredtodiy

View

Feb 21

Open
Front porch renovation in progress!  New door - check! New windows- check!  Now need to add trim and siding... need more days in each weekend!  More to come... #homeremodeling #frontporch #diyprojects #diyrenovation #diyremodel #renovationproject #moretocome #pinspiredtodiy #entryway #entrywayrenovation

pinspiredtodiy

View

Dec 26

Open
Merry Christmas!

pinspiredtodiy

View

Aug 16

Open
Another quarantine home project complete!  Since we had to cancel our planned trip to celebrate my daughter’s birthday and Spring Break,  we did a complete makeover of her bedroom instead.  See the before and after! #diyhomeimprovement #oneroomchallenge #tweengirlsroom #diyremodel #roommakeover #girlsroomdecor #tealroom #pinspiredtodiy

pinspiredtodiy

View

Jun 2

Open
Have a standing desk with no drawers?  Use an old executive desk to create rolling drawer units that fit underneath your drawer-less standing desk!  #standingdesk #diyoffice #upcycledfurniture #furnituremakeover #deskmakeover #diyfurnituremakeover  #pinspiredtodiy

pinspiredtodiy

View

May 5

Open
Working at home due to Covid-19? Might as well make your workspace as enjoyable as possible!  Our home office was quite drab so we decided to renovate it into a beautiful place to work!  Check it out! #remodel #remodeling #homeoffice #homeofficedesign #officeupdate #homeimprovement #homeimprovements #beforeandafterhomeedition

pinspiredtodiy

View

Jan 4

Open
Took a break from blogging for a short while, but I’m back up and running!  Soon to be posted on the blog: I purchased this computer armoire on Craigslist for $60 and transformed it into the perfect craft cabinet for my Cricut!  Love that I have my own little space to work that I can then hide away when not in use!  Blends in perfectly with my other furniture!  #cricutstorage #craftcabinet #upcycledfurniture #heirloomtraditionspaint #nocraftroom #craftorganization #craftdesk #furnituremakeover #furnitureflip #pinspiredtodiy

pinspiredtodiy

View

Sep 7

Open
Finally got my August #athomediychallenges project posted on the blog! This challenge was to build something using mostly 2x4s and challenge accomplished.  I built a DIY Planter Box Bench Seat for the backyard.  You can download the free plans over on the blog now!  #woodworking #diyfurniture #outdoorbench #outdoorplanter #girlbuilt #outdoorfurniture #pinspiredtodiy

pinspiredtodiy

View

Aug 31

Open
Built these Pottery Barn inspired end tables last month for the July #athomediychallenge The goal was to build something cheaper than you can buy it. Challenge accomplished!  You can find the free plans for these over on the website now.  #woodworking #wood #build #girlbuilt #diy #diyfurniture #freewoodworkingplans #pinspiredtodiy #potterybarninspired

pinspiredtodiy

View

Jul 25

Open
My latest project posted on the blog.  I used a mix of my two favorite hobbies to create these personalized large wall signs for my entryway: woodworking and Cricut-ing (ok, I know Cricut-ing isn’t a real word but hey, it works! 😂) Made these for the July At Home DIY challenge.  Check out this tutorial and all the other great projects created by the challenge participants over on the blog!  #athomediychallenges #woodworking #cricutcraft #cricutproject #diywalldecor #diywallart #cricutvinylprojects

pinspiredtodiy

View

May 16

Open
The #athomediychallenges post for May is live on the blog!  This month we had to tackle an eyesore in our yard and make it beautiful.  I chose to tackle one of the area around my pool, pulling a LOT of weeds and adding brick garden borders/planter boxes. Still not completely done, but still a huge improvement! #diyhomeprojects #diyhomeimprovement #diylandscaping #planterbox #gardenborder

pinspiredtodiy

View

May 11

Open
On a Cricut roll!  Several flowers complete, several more to go! #cricut #cricutflowers #mothersdaygifts #craftingideas #springcolors

pinspiredtodiy

View

Apr 25

Open
@abba_patio provided me with this awesome 10x13 fully enclosed gazebo in exchange for my honest review.  Check out my review of this shade canopy, including pros and cons of this gazebo, over on my website now! #abbapatio #abbapatiocanopy #productreviewer #gazebo #shadestructure

pinspiredtodiy

View

Apr 16

Open
New At Home DIY Challenge project completed!  This month was a DIY home improvement and I chose to add DIY board and batten to my entryway and hallway walls.  Love how it turned out! #diyhomedecor #diyhomeprojects #diyhomeimprovement #boardandbatten #athomediychallenges #woodworking

pinspiredtodiy

View

Mar 15

Open
Here's the new wall sconce I made using upcycled glass light shades from the thrift store! (And they have battery-operated string lights in them so they still provide some decorative light in addition to adding a pop of color). Check out my blog to see how I created this and to view the other awesome projects created for this month's upcycle assignment for the At Home DIY Challenge.  There are many creative projects this month, be sure to check those out as well!  #athomediychallenges #upcycle #thriftingfinds #diywalldecor #diywallart #cricutcrafts #cricut #crafter #woodwallart

pinspiredtodiy

View

Mar 2

Open
Thrift store finds (Habitat for Humanity ReStore). Now have to decide what to make with them! 🤔 Planter...? Vase...? Ideas??? #athomediychallenges #upcyclingproject #diy #craftingideas #thriftfinds #pinspiredtodiy #craftchallenge #diycrafts

pinspiredtodiy

View

Feb 16

Open
The reveal! My #diycloset makeover is done!  Loving all the storage I have now.  Check out the tutorial over on the blog #closetorganization #closetdesign #diyhomeimprovement #diyhomeprojects #diyathomechallenge #builtins #organizers #athomediychallenges #diyblogger #makersgonnamake #woodwork #buildityourself

pinspiredtodiy

View

Feb 7

Open
Progress!  It’s slow-going on the #closet makeover, but it’s starting to look like what the end result will be! #diyhomeprojects #diycloset #homeimprovements #diyer #girlbuilt #closetmakeover #pinspiredtodiy

pinspiredtodiy

View

Jan 26

Open
Got a little farther on the #closetmakeover today.  Slow going today but at least some progress was made! #diyhomeprojects #diyhomeimprovement #closetorganization #diy #girlbuilt
Follow on Instagram

Footer

Like Pinspired to DIY on Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget

Follow Me on Pinterest

Join the Pinspired to DIY newsletter

Be the first to get notified of new projects posted on the blog!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

pinspiredtodiy

pinspiredtodiy

pinspiredtodiy

View

Feb 21

Open
Front porch renovation in progress!  New door - check! New windows- check!  Now need to add trim and siding... need more days in each weekend!  More to come... #homeremodeling #frontporch #diyprojects #diyrenovation #diyremodel #renovationproject #moretocome #pinspiredtodiy #entryway #entrywayrenovation

pinspiredtodiy

View

Dec 26

Open
Merry Christmas!

pinspiredtodiy

View

Aug 16

Open
Another quarantine home project complete!  Since we had to cancel our planned trip to celebrate my daughter’s birthday and Spring Break,  we did a complete makeover of her bedroom instead.  See the before and after! #diyhomeimprovement #oneroomchallenge #tweengirlsroom #diyremodel #roommakeover #girlsroomdecor #tealroom #pinspiredtodiy

pinspiredtodiy

View

Jun 2

Open
Have a standing desk with no drawers?  Use an old executive desk to create rolling drawer units that fit underneath your drawer-less standing desk!  #standingdesk #diyoffice #upcycledfurniture #furnituremakeover #deskmakeover #diyfurnituremakeover  #pinspiredtodiy

pinspiredtodiy

View

May 5

Open
Working at home due to Covid-19? Might as well make your workspace as enjoyable as possible!  Our home office was quite drab so we decided to renovate it into a beautiful place to work!  Check it out! #remodel #remodeling #homeoffice #homeofficedesign #officeupdate #homeimprovement #homeimprovements #beforeandafterhomeedition

pinspiredtodiy

View

Jan 4

Open
Took a break from blogging for a short while, but I’m back up and running!  Soon to be posted on the blog: I purchased this computer armoire on Craigslist for $60 and transformed it into the perfect craft cabinet for my Cricut!  Love that I have my own little space to work that I can then hide away when not in use!  Blends in perfectly with my other furniture!  #cricutstorage #craftcabinet #upcycledfurniture #heirloomtraditionspaint #nocraftroom #craftorganization #craftdesk #furnituremakeover #furnitureflip #pinspiredtodiy

pinspiredtodiy

View

Sep 7

Open
Finally got my August #athomediychallenges project posted on the blog! This challenge was to build something using mostly 2x4s and challenge accomplished.  I built a DIY Planter Box Bench Seat for the backyard.  You can download the free plans over on the blog now!  #woodworking #diyfurniture #outdoorbench #outdoorplanter #girlbuilt #outdoorfurniture #pinspiredtodiy

pinspiredtodiy

View

Aug 31

Open
Built these Pottery Barn inspired end tables last month for the July #athomediychallenge The goal was to build something cheaper than you can buy it. Challenge accomplished!  You can find the free plans for these over on the website now.  #woodworking #wood #build #girlbuilt #diy #diyfurniture #freewoodworkingplans #pinspiredtodiy #potterybarninspired

pinspiredtodiy

View

Jul 25

Open
My latest project posted on the blog.  I used a mix of my two favorite hobbies to create these personalized large wall signs for my entryway: woodworking and Cricut-ing (ok, I know Cricut-ing isn’t a real word but hey, it works! 😂) Made these for the July At Home DIY challenge.  Check out this tutorial and all the other great projects created by the challenge participants over on the blog!  #athomediychallenges #woodworking #cricutcraft #cricutproject #diywalldecor #diywallart #cricutvinylprojects

pinspiredtodiy

View

May 16

Open
The #athomediychallenges post for May is live on the blog!  This month we had to tackle an eyesore in our yard and make it beautiful.  I chose to tackle one of the area around my pool, pulling a LOT of weeds and adding brick garden borders/planter boxes. Still not completely done, but still a huge improvement! #diyhomeprojects #diyhomeimprovement #diylandscaping #planterbox #gardenborder

pinspiredtodiy

View

May 11

Open
On a Cricut roll!  Several flowers complete, several more to go! #cricut #cricutflowers #mothersdaygifts #craftingideas #springcolors

pinspiredtodiy

View

Apr 25

Open
@abba_patio provided me with this awesome 10x13 fully enclosed gazebo in exchange for my honest review.  Check out my review of this shade canopy, including pros and cons of this gazebo, over on my website now! #abbapatio #abbapatiocanopy #productreviewer #gazebo #shadestructure
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · anchored theme by Restored 316