When they say "no presents please", for a 60th birthday party....what do they REALLY mean??

[a kennedy]

a card with money?? no money?? no gifts?? Hate when that is printed on the invitation. What do you do?? Thanks.

[bigwillq]

1. I take it to mean "no presents"

so I don't give them anything. I just show up and party!

[a kennedy]

8. sounds good to me.....

I might just give a her a card......hate to show up, and NOT give something.

[eShirl]

2. a very nice card with a short handwritten note

[a kennedy]

9. Yah, this is what I'm kinda thinking about doing.....

thanks.

[Paper Roses]

33. A card with a nice note.

[Major Nikon]

3. Whiskey

Seriously though as long as the hosts imbibe, it's not bad form to bring a bottle of wine or spirits to any sort of party or dinner. So that's what I would do. There's a good chance many, if not most of the guests will ignore the no gift request.

[a kennedy]

10. ha ha, they're Irish too.....so a good ol' Irish Whiskey would do the trick....

[Major Nikon]

15. You never know, they might prefer bourbon

But I've never known anyone who was Irish that didn't have a bottle of Jameson in the house.

[Scuba]

4. Donation in their name to a food pantry or animal shelter.

[a kennedy]

11. That's a great idea, thanks Scuba

[Laffy Kat]

20. This is what I do. nt

[femmocrat]

5. They want your presence. Not presents.

Go and have fun!

[a kennedy]

12. Thanks, but kinda hate to go empty handed......

might just bring a card with a personal note, like eShirl suggested.

[femmocrat]

17. Good idea!

Lots of good suggestions in this thread.

[MrScorpio]

6. BYOB!

If anything, bring ice.

[a kennedy]

13. Hey, that's a great idea......thanks MrScorpio.

[hollysmom]

7. it means they have too much stuff. You can donate to charity in their name if you feel

you need to give something, find out their favorite charity.

[a kennedy]

14. *nodding* yah probably do have enough stuff......

love this idea of giving to their charity. Thanks.

[hollysmom]

19. You are welcome - being over 60 myself.

people hate having to shop for a gift for me, I have enough stuff and am giving half my stuff away. I have suggested people give to a charity instead and gave them a list - never happens though, people still buy me pierced earrings - I don't have pierced ears or scented candles - I am sensitives to artificial scents and perfumes. See a pattern here?

[riderinthestorm]

16. I usually bring a card and something tasty - wine, homemade jam, local honey

[sarge43]

18. Bring something everyone could enjoy, like ice cream. n/t

[a kennedy]

22. OMGOSH......everyone loves ice cream......

Bring a couple of different varieties, that is a wonderful idea. Thank you for the suggestion.

[sarge43]

25. It was my husband's idea

He said the same thing. Everyone likes ice cream and it's perfect for a birthday party.

[Kali]

21. flowers

[a kennedy]

23. Shoot I don't have any flowers as beautiful as those......will have to buy some.

But that's a good idea also.......thank you.

[DawgHouse]

31. Oh I love zinnias! nt

[NV Whino]

24. It means...

No fucking presents. I already have all the junk I want or need, and you don't know my tastes anyway.

[a kennedy]

27. Oh my, I guess that is one way of looking at it.....

And thanks for your input.

[UTUSN]

26. It means (translating here) : I HATE being OLD and HATE you for being younger.

Also: I don't need any more material crap, just YOUTH.

[a kennedy]

28. I hope she doesn't actually think that.....she's such a sweetie....

And really, who doesn't want youth for a present, although personally? I don't

[MissB]

29. Depends.

No, really.

[Skittles]

30. SCHEDULING MISSB FOR ASS KICKING

EGREGIOUS; yes INDEED

[a kennedy]

36. Oh, now that is funny......Depends...ha ha ha

[WinkyDink]

32. "Don't Be Cheap, Though, If You Insist." Oh, wait; that's me.

[Paula Sims]

34. It means there is no obligations -- just show up. However. . .

Flowers for a lady and booze for a man are always appreciated (I too, hate to go empty handed). Also gift cards to their favorite place. The denomination? $60+$1 of course!!

When I threw a 60th luncheon for my husband, that's what I said -- no gifts please. Most people brought wine, gift certificates to Home Depot (he's an avid woodworker) and one person got an old-fashioned tool from somewhere. Of course everyone brought treats for our kittens!

Nope, you don't HAVE to do anything, however, it's always nice. Good to see your Mother (or partner) raised you right.

Paula

Edit: A card is a no-brainer-of-course-you-must inclusion.

[lunatica]

35. When I say no presents that's exactly what I mean

I haven't celebrated a birthday, a Thanksgiving or Christmas in over 25 years. It's not for everybody but for those of us who do it it's incredibly liberating. It means that if you get together with people it's because that's what you want to do.

The problem for you may be that you are still thinking that you 'must' do something. That for some reason you feel your hosts are tricking you into guessing what you should take. Just take yourself. Some people find that to be all they want. Your company. It's a guilt trip that your hosts want you to be free of, because they are free of it. It's pretty nice to do something you don't have any 'obligation' to bring anything but yourself to.

[nirvana555]

37. I like the idea of donating something (maybe a cause they are especially interested in) N/T

[lunatica]

38. Why?

Don't you think they donate on their own? Why do you have to do it for them? I have my favorite causes that I donate to. No one needs to donate in my name. I prefer my friends donate in their own name and just accept my invitation and end up having a good time. I consider my friends as very special people who add richly to my life. Being in a relaxed get together will bring me even more riches as we enjoy each other, especially in conversations regarding our interests, be they political, or personal. I especially like having conversations with my progressive friends regarding the state of the world.

Give yourself some credit for being invited because your hosts want you there.

[oldandhappy]

39. A nice card with a personal note

is always correct. Maybe a single flower. The invitation is reminding all of us that we have all we need and are trying to pass things along to family or Good Will. I always believe 'em! No gifts means they do not need anything and do not want to deal with the whole presents things. But personal good wishes and personal stories are appreciated. If there is an open mike where people are invited to say something, be prepared to say something. If you really want to do something, write a story about your friendship with the person and include it in the card. Personal rather than things is the key.

[LynneSin]

40. I take a gift card to a nice restaurant

Always a nice thing.

[dilby]

41. It means, they have been on this earth for 60 years and there is nothing you can bring

that would make them happier than yourself. Now if it were me and I said no presents and you brought something that everyone can indulge in, I would chide you by saying I told you not to bring anything but then I would open it and begin sharing it with all the guests and give you the credit. Not sure what your friend likes but for me it's good Irish Whiskey.