Party Invitations

[jerseyangel]

I need help

My sister and I are planning an 80th birthday party for our dad next month. I'm doing the invitations, and need some good ideas on how to request no gifts--beside simply stating "no gifts". I'm sure that would be fine, but I'm thinking I'd prefer something a little less blunt.

Thanks in advance for any light and witty ideas you can give me

[confused]

I have seen things that say stuff like

only your presence is needed

your presence is the only gift needed

or you could only ask for cards and then do a nice scrapbook for your father when it is over.

paula

[angel-jd1]

Your presence is the only present needed. No gifts please.

-Jessica

[blueeyedmanda]

Your presence is the only present needed. No gifts please.

-Jessica

This is a very nice polite and to the point way of saying it.

[home-based-mom]

Your presence is the only present needed. No gifts please.

-Jessica

I agree this works well. I also like the idea of a scrapbook of cards and other mementos. Perhaps you could request old photos and the memories that go with them in lieu of a gift. Then put those together into a book. EVERYBODY loves to look at old photos and remember when!

[Ursa Major]

I agree this works well. I also like the idea of a scrapbook of cards and other mementos. Perhaps you could request old photos and the memories that go with them in lieu of a gift. Then put those together into a book. EVERYBODY loves to look at old photos and remember when!

When my husband's aunt turned seventy (a miracle, because she had cancer for many years) her son and his wife asked everybody in the family as well as friends to send pictures, cards, poems, stories etc. to make a scrapbook for her.

She loved it, and whenever people would visit she would bring it out to look through it. I can't imagine that anything else would have delighted her as much (especially because she really didn't need anything).

For years I would see in the paper when birthday parties for older people were announced. They'd often say, "Best wishes only, please". Not originally being English speaking, plus not understanding certain phrases and sayings without explanation (due to Asperger Syndrome I guess), for years I was thinking to myself, "Why did they need to say that, wouldn't people who didn't wish them well want to stay away?

Finally, after many years I asked somebody why they said that, and was told that it meant they didn't want gifts, just cards! I felt awfully foolish.

[jerseyangel]

I have seen things that say stuff like

only your presence is needed

your presence is the only gift needed

or you could only ask for cards and then do a nice scrapbook for your father when it is over.

paula

Thanks Paula--great suggestions...we did a scrapbook/collage when my parents had their 50th wedding anniversary a few years ago.

Your presence is the only present needed. No gifts please.

-Jessica

I like this--

For years I would see in the paper when birthday parties for older people were announced. They'd often say, "Best wishes only, please". Not originally being English speaking, plus not understanding certain phrases and sayings without explanation (due to Asperger Syndrome I guess), for years I was thinking to myself, "Why did they need to say that, wouldn't people who didn't wish them well want to stay away?

Finally, after many years I asked somebody why they said that, and was told that it meant they didn't want gifts, just cards! I felt awfully foolish.

Oh Ursa--bless your heart!

Thanks to everyone

[Darn210]

Along the lines of a scrapbook . . .

I tried to do this AT my Mom & Dad's 50th. I should have had people bring it with them because once they got there, it was all about visiting with each other . . .

I wanted stories of Mom & Dad. I especially wanted them from my aunts & uncles, preferably in their own handwriting and preferably about the "growing up" years. I gave them some starters.

Now you know me, my "starters" were just for fun but hopefully something to get them thinking . . .

I remember the time Kate came home from the prom drunk . . .

I remember the time Ben crashed his mom's car . . .

[jerseyangel]

Now you know me, my "starters" were just for fun but hopefully something to get them thinking . . .

I remember the time Kate came home from the prom drunk . . .

I remember the time Ben crashed his mom's car . . .

Janet, with my goofy family I could come up with some doozies.....unfortunately, a few of them just don't share my sense of humoUr. Imagine that

[tarnalberry]

I guess I'm blunt. I just put "no gifts please".

[jerseyangel]

I guess I'm blunt. I just put "no gifts please".

[kbtoyssni]

For years I would see in the paper when birthday parties for older people were announced. They'd often say, "Best wishes only, please". Not originally being English speaking, plus not understanding certain phrases and sayings without explanation (due to Asperger Syndrome I guess), for years I was thinking to myself, "Why did they need to say that, wouldn't people who didn't wish them well want to stay away?

Finally, after many years I asked somebody why they said that, and was told that it meant they didn't want gifts, just cards! I felt awfully foolish.

Lol, that's a funny story!! As a native speaker of english, I didn't know what the meant until you told me, either.

[debmidge]

Lol, that's a funny story!! As a native speaker of english, I didn't know what the meant until you told me, either.

ditto here.

I am a "literalist" and tend to take everything at face value.. it's also a little naive of me...but I too would be scratching my head over that. I'd say to myself "Surely I am going to go to the party with a gift AND best wishes." I often have to ask myself when I read or am told something like that "Does the person mean something else?"

[Mom23boys]

ditto here.

I am a "literalist" and tend to take everything at face value.. it's also a little naive of me...but I too would be scratching my head over that. I'd say to myself "Surely I am going to go to the party with a gift AND best wishes." I often have to ask myself when I read or am told something like that "Does the person mean something else?"

Same here. I guess I need the blunt way.

[Green12]

I don't have anything to add Patti, everyone gave such great suggestions.

I just wanted to say have a great party for your Dad

[jerseyangel]

I don't have anything to add Patti, everyone gave such great suggestions.

I just wanted to say have a great party for your Dad

They were very good suggestions Thanks Julie, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and the look on my dad's face, as it's going to be a surprise.