birthday "insert cards" .....what do you think?

Sherri - posted on 05/24/2012

No but I think it is an awesome idea!! Every single guest even family and the closest of friends asked what they should get my son for his birthday that we just had last weekend. This would have eliminated any and all of these questions from the 20 different families.



Wow Sharon that is quite harsh. Every single person that went or bought a gift for my son knows him and sees him all the day some every single day and they still all asked what to buy for him and what he liked.



Second I don't know of anyone that would ever attend a child's birthday and not bring a gift. Not that I even care but I would personally never attend a birthday if I didn't bring a gift.



Also I buy clothes all the time for kids birthdays because the parents usually hate too many toys but they appreciate the clothing far more.

Jen - posted on 05/24/2012

That is an invitation to a 'gimme-pig' party.

It's rude to ever expect a present. No matter how prevalent in soceity it is, no matter how expected it is, it is always rude to expect a present.

Laurel - posted on 05/24/2012

I personally did this for my daughter's 3rd birthday last year. It was just something I thought of and I called it "All About Me." I had a lot of reasons for doing it; there are 60 something people that come to my daughter's parties. 3/4 of them are our family members, and the other 1/4 is our friends. Because our family is so big (just my mom's side alone - she has 7 siblings), we don't get together with them but a few times a year, so they don't really get to see my daughter as often as I would like, and they don't know much about her, personally. I thought it would be a cute way to let everyone know a little about her - her invitations always have pictures on them, as well, b/c that way, my family gets a picture of her every year, and they keep the invitations b/c of that. Anyway, I also get tons of questions every year from all of my family about her size, what she likes, what they should get, etc. In my case, I do not think it is rude and I'm not asking for gifts; I am simply showing how she's grown and changed in the last year, and things that are unique to her. In turn, knowing about her does help people who are looking for gifts, and I personally had a friend use my idea and do the same, which I was grateful for b/c I have a girl and she has boys and I didn't know where to begin! Just my thoughts.

Mary - posted on 02/23/2010

I think this is a great idea. Especially once kids outside the family start to get invited. ie. from school. I would not be offended receiving this. It would make things easier. The thing to remember is there is always going to be someone who doesn't find it appropriate and that is ok, if they ask about it just let them know that you thought it would be the easiest way to address the "what are they into" question.
Good luck
mary

Becky - posted on 02/23/2010

I would find it tacky. I don't invite people to my kids' birthday parties to get presents for them, I invite them to come have fun and celebrate with them. I wouldn't want someone not only to feel like they had to bring a gift, but like I was telling them what to bring. If someone wants to bring a gift and doesn't know what my child likes, in my experience, they will generally ask me.

Gwen - posted on 02/23/2010

I think it's in poor taste, like begging for gifts.

Emily - posted on 02/23/2010

For the invitations going to my family and friends, I do use something similar to the insert card, just so they know what size my daughter is in and what she can use, ie winter shirts but not pants or no adjustable waist, just because it saves everyone calling and asking. I did not use it for the invitations going to her school friends just because they usualy give toys and the parents ask what she likes when they call to rsvp. I personaly would have no problem receiving them in an invitation as long as it was just sizes or likes/dislikes but not to ask for a spicific item.

Sandi - posted on 02/22/2010

If it was stating specific items to be bought then I'd think the mum was pushy and controlling and that this card was setting the tone of how the party would be. lol

Just my opinion though, some might find it helpful if they don't have time to look for something. I like the idea of stating what size he/she is and their favourite characters and sports. Not as controlling that way, just pointing them in the right direction. Easier to pick a themed item then.

Tomasine - posted on 02/22/2010

i really wanted to get different perspectives on the concept. i try to be as open minded as possible, but this one i questioned how it might be perceived by other moms.

Renae - posted on 02/21/2010

Perhaps for an adult for an event where everyone will be bringing a gift, I dont see a problem with it. It might make a fun alternative to a registry for a wedding for example. But for a child's birthday I just find it unnecessary and a bit abrupt to be honest. I purchase presents for kids based on their age and gender and that usually suffices. I think part of the purpose of receiving gifts is to learn to be thankful and grateful for whatever you are given, especially in situations where the guests are obligued to bring a gift - the old "its the thought that counts". It just doesn't sit right with me I find it a bit rude because it puts pressure on the parent purchasing the gift.

Sharon - posted on 02/21/2010

It's crass.

If the invited child doesn't know your child well enough to know ONE of his likes, then he shouldn't be invited to the party.

I would never give a child clothes for their birthday unless it was some super special item - like um... my son tells him his friend bradley loves the patriots and the patriots just happened to win the superbowl - I'd see about getting him a shirt or jersey.

But I would just call bradleys mother and ask what size shirt he wears. OR better yet, look at him standing next to my son and guess what size he wears.

Tomasine - posted on 02/21/2010

at first when i saw this, i was torn. but then i thought about my first reaction to a birthday invitation: what is the child in to? what size does he/she wear? i never want to get something that won't be used. therefore, i always end up asking the mother or some stranger in the toy aisle of the store (most of my friends have girls).

Clare - posted on 02/21/2010

what a good idea ! as i have a six year old and often get clothing items as gifts, but because he is only a size four often get items he has to wait two years to fit into. a small card would let people know his current size

Iridescent - posted on 02/21/2010

It would be of use to people that are always asking what they should buy, but not for everyone.

Kathy - posted on 02/21/2010

Personally, I hate this sort of thing.It places so much pressure on the parent of the child who's been invited to the party, and lacks sponteneity.



I don't even like gift registry cards, but for a child's birthday it's ridiculous.