No Gifts kids parties

[vernacular_life]

(yup, a how-to-NOT-give gifts post!)

I an effort to stem the excess that is Kids Birthday Parties, we're having a 'no gift rule' for Ben's birthday.  Instead, I'd like to take the gifts that would be given to him and instead donate them to a charity (and let people know this!).  If it were December, Toys for Tots would be my top choice.......but what about other times of year?

Do any of you know any good charities - hospice for kids, local women's shelters, etc., that would be a good recipient of new, unopened toys and books?

Also, any suggestions for wording the invite?  I don't expect the grandparents to abide by this statement, but hope to prevent the single friends from feeling compelled to buy something....



http://www.hopkinschildrens.org/specialties/categorypages/subcategory.cfm?specialtyID=44&categoryID=28&subcategoryID=33

http://tinyurl.com/33qhtq

Comments

[lkell.livejournal.com]

Great idea! I will try to come up with some stuff at home tonight (links to doeas as well as crafty wording).

I think this is WONDERFUL.

But don't you need 13 strollers? ;-)

[vernacular-life.livejournal.com]

nope, and don't need a dozen stackign toys or a bunch of poorly written books...

actually meant to post this in hip domestics, so excuse the weird wording!

[lkell.livejournal.com]

Like the animal idea too ... but you may want to wait on that as it is a kid's party.
I found:
http://www.dcchildrens.com/dcchildrens/volunteering/toy.aspx
or the Children's Inn at NIH

As for wording, I'd say the rhyme is a cute idea or say something like, "No gifts, please. If you really feel you must get something, please know we will be donating all gifts to others less fortunate than the birthday boy at ."

Good luck!

[rebelbets.livejournal.com]

See, this is tough. My first instinct was for you to say something along the lines of Ben having more toys than he knows what to do with, but if guests would like to bring a toy to donate to a local charity, they're welcome to do so. That said, if I received an invitation worded like that, I'd still feel compelled to bring a gift - only, the gift would be for the charity, ya know?

It gets tricky, putting anything about gifts on an invite, I think - even when you're telling people not to give. Could you do word of mouth?

[vernacular-life.livejournal.com]

You've got it exactly......its weird to try to 'guilt' people into charity, but I like the idea of bringing the awareness to others (esp the "must outdo other gifts" type of people) that our kids are lucky, and that their $10 Elmo would be more needed by another child....

*gah, ettiquette!*

[tinksdust.livejournal.com]

I think this is a neat idea. Good luck getting the wording right. Hopefully enough of the people invited you'll be talking to in general and can mention the idea.

Is there any program that works locally with kids with cancer?

[vernacular-life.livejournal.com]

someone just suggested on Hip Domestics to instead make it for the local animal shelter and have people bring a bag of food or a toy for a kitty or puppy! I may end up switching to that, or save it for a future party idea.

[tinksdust.livejournal.com]

The puppy idea would be cool too. Although I wonder if people would think that's odd for a kid's birthday party request. Unless the majority of the guest list is an animal lover...

[njlorelei.livejournal.com]

I don't know what charity to suggest but you could word the invite like this - "in lieu of presents for Ben, we're requesting a present/donation to the fill in the blank charity". Or "the gift of your presence is present enough."

followed you from hip_domestics

[dedamona.livejournal.com]

i'm not a member over there but i didn't want to join just to make one comment... so here it is and i hope it helps.

most hospitals are now facing having to rid several storage rooms full of toys (my mom's a nurse and this is happening at her hospital) due to the toys in storage collecting dust and causing reactions in already really sick kids.

but... some suggestions for you.

contact your local police department. battered women and children shelters are intentionally hidden (as in completely unlisted. no address, no telephone number, ect.) in order to protect the women and children in question safe. however, the local police department generally knows how to contact them and can act as a go between.

in addition to that, most officers try to keep a stuffed animal or two in their trunks for when they pick up abused children. generally the stuffed animals in question are purchased directly out of the police person's paycheck. it's not something provided for in the budget of the departments, but tremendously helpful when dealing with the victims of abuse.

as for knowing beforehand or not.... my mother's birthday present is a toy drive for abused children (through the police department) in her name. she not only knows beforehand but has asked all her friends and coworkers to be part of it.

Re: followed you from hip_domestics

[vernacular-life.livejournal.com]

hey, thanks for commenting! That's a good point about overloaded hospitals. I've been leaning to the two ideas you posted (shelter or stuffed animal for abuse victim).

My neighbor is a retired city detective..I think I'll ask him what he recommends.

[tray85.livejournal.com]

Great idea. How about a little rhyme?

Ben has been blessed with lots of toys,
he'll share any gifts with other girls and boys

[tray85.livejournal.com]

I meant to add something about then putting the charity name, so people don't think their gifts will be going to random kids! :P