Real meaning of "no gifts please" on an invitation?

I generally take "no gifts" to mean no gifts, but I have only seen something similar on a child's invitation once, many years ago. The parents actually had a double birthday party for their children because they were both born in November. The invitation said "All gifts will be donated to the Easter Seal School". I thought this was an excellent idea, especially since the birthdays were so close to Christmas.

Your children must have a very unique group of friends. Most of the questions I see in this forum are from parents wanting to register at Target or Walmart for their kids birthday parties or they want to know how to request cash instead of gifts. Your kids and their friends are being raised right, as my mother would say.

In the future I think it would be appropriate for you to put some sort of gift card within the birthday card or send a small gift with the children when they attend parties. If it's an adult party, I think a simple card, but no gift.

I would assume it would really mean "no gifts" but I have never been to a party where that was stated on the invitation. I wouldn't bring a gift, though, if I did receive an invite that said "no gifts." I would also be embarrased if I was the only one who didn't bring one!

The times we have brought my stepson to birthday parties and even my stepdaughter, the only thing they have brought is a card. It seems to be the way these days. I was always taught to bring a gift. These kids have plenty of money. It would actually be a good thing if they had to think of someone besides themselves for a change. (though my stepson seems to understand it better because he's given me little things. He's a sweetie.)

It seems better if you leave on about gifts and let people decide for themselves. It seems that this day and age that gifts aren't really necessary because kids seem to have everything and more as it is. It would just go to waste like the rest goes. That's why I haven't thought too much about it.

edit: I think firbob has it exactly right.

It sounds like you answered your own question. Even when an invitation says "no gifts please" there are still people who feel it is necessary to bring a gift because that is how they were raised ro how it has always been in their opinion. This makes other people feel guilty for not bringing a gift, so soon they are disregarding the requests on the card so they don't have to feel guilty.

There is a good body of work in sitcoms on the subject as well as numerous humor columns in local and syndecated newspapers.

Everyone says no gifts but it is simply the polite way to technically aleviate some of the stress of gift giving. Of course it is expected that everyone will bring a gift to a birhday party. It simply acknowledges the elephant in the room so that everyone knows they are expected not to feel any obligation WHEN they buy the gift.

The whole thing feels a bit like the love child of political correctness and George Costanza.

Well, I thinks parents feel that if they don't say 'no gifts' other parents may feel obliged to go and buy an expensive present for a child they probably don't know. Also, Others may feel guilty about parents who may not be well-off buying gifts for a child who would get presents from relitivles. Finally, parents may feel the child will be judged on what type of gift they give the birthday boy/girl which may damage the child's relationship..... you know how litle children are.....

This is new to me since most of the ' no gift' invitations I receive are for older persons who do not need anything. Not that most children are deprived of toys. I guess just like RSVP by a certain date, people do not know how to follow directions. They wear what they want -tee shirts and flip flops to fancy restaurants and red to funerals. looks like manners and civilization is on a downward trend. I would tell those who brought gifts to your sons party that you are donating them to an orphanage. That might teach them to read the invitation

"No gift Please" basically means, My kid has enough Junk, Give 'em $ in a card. PPl continue to bring gifts because its the norm to bring gifts to a party. In truth the parents would rather cash or gift cards

If it said now gifts there was probaby a reason. Do you know what you could do instead of just gifts......Give money in a card to the parents on placing it in a piggy bank for saving.