Would you bring a gift to a no-gift party if they gave one to your DC?

[goldenpig]

DS recently had a birthday party and one of the families who attended is having a birthday party for their child next week. They brought us a gift (ours was not a no-gift party). Should I bring a gift for them even though their invitation says "no gifts please"? I went to a birthday party for a different child recently (this child was invited but didn't attend our party), and did not bring a gift because it said "no gifts" but there were still plenty of gifts there so I felt kind of bad about that!

Should I bring a gift to reciprocate, or is it better to honor their wishes? I feel like everyone brings gifts anyways and then you look bad by coming empty handed. Did I mention I hate no gift parties just because of this reason?

ETA: I do bring cards (usually DD makes one) for no-gift parties.

[AnnieW625]

Nope. I always follow the no gift rule even if they have given us a gift. I will bring a birthday card though and there is notging in the card. Don't feel bad as you followed the rules.

[crl]

I would not bring a gift. When we say that in an invitation, we really mean that we don't want gifts.

Catherine

[Canna]

No - follow their wishes! That they brought your DC a gift previously is irrelevant.

[nrp]

If you really feel uncomfortable, I have occasionally stuck a small ($5 or $10) gift certificate to a local ice cream shop in the card when I go to no-gift parties. I figure most no gift parties are because they don't want more "stuff" - so this way I'm not adding to their clutter.

[94bruin]

If you really feel uncomfortable, I have occasionally stuck a small ($5 or $10) gift certificate to a local ice cream shop in the card when I go to no-gift parties. I figure most no gift parties are because they don't want more "stuff" - so this way I'm not adding to their clutter.

Once I stuck in a gift card to a local bookstore, just because I wasn't quite comfortable not bringing a gift to this one particular party. However, I've become comfortable with no-gift parties since then...

Of course, all of my daughters' parties have been no-gifts, but most of our family friends/relative ignore this request. DD's Kinder friends largely respected it last year.

[wellyes]

Don't bring a gift.

And phooey on them for breaking the rule with you.

[ahisma]

If you really feel uncomfortable, I have occasionally stuck a small ($5 or $10) gift certificate to a local ice cream shop in the card when I go to no-gift parties. I figure most no gift parties are because they don't want more "stuff" - so this way I'm not adding to their clutter.

This is what we do, exactly I used to follow the no gift request, but was *always* the only one without a gift. I gave up.

[goldenpig]

Don't bring a gift.

And phooey on them for breaking the rule with you.

Oh, no ours wasn't a no-gift party! Our kids love getting birthday gifts!

I just feel bad when we're the only one who follows the rules for these "no-gift" parties!

[wellyes]

Oh, no ours wasn't a no-gift party! Our kids love getting birthday gifts!

Oh, I read too fast! Sorry! No baggie necessary. I had a yes-gift party for my DD today .