If you were invited to a birthday party, would you like

Littlejen22

or dislike this.  I realize this is many months away but I was talking to a friend about it b/c she was looking for ideas for her DD's birthday party b/c she does not want more toys. Oh, and we don't have any of the same friends so if we both did this it would be ok.

I am considering asking everyone in lieu of a present to bring two new or very gently used wrapped books to my kids' birthday party for a book exchange/donation where each child will pick one book and the rest of the books will be donated to charity.  Their birthday is 2 weeks before Christmas and the party might be a week before that.

 

J&A2008

I think it's a great idea.  A friend of mine was just talking about setting up a kids' book exchange.

jessicaclare

I think the idea behind this is great. If you think all of your friends will do it, it could work.

 However, anytime you try to do a "no gifts" or an "in lieu of gifts" thing, someone inevitable brings a gift. Maybe more than one person. Then it can leave others feeling awkward, etc. I definitely see the merit in things like this, but I just think it can put your guests in a weird position when not everyone follows the "rules". JMO.

jettagurl

I think it's hard to dictate where/how people spend their charitable money.  If you'd like your kids to have more books (and people ask what would be good/useful) you can suggest that gift, then you turn around and donate a lot to charity, then fine.  But to ask them to bring 2 with the intention of one going to *your* charity choice is bad etiquette, IMO (and  essentially you're asking them to buy their own favor - if they wanted to buy their kid a book, they would).

I think for birthdays you just have to be gracious and accept gifts.  Maybe use it to teach your kids about giving away old toys when new ones come in.   Or rather than doing favors, buy a book in each child's name to donate (inside, write "Donated by XXX in honor of XXX's 5th birthday) I think that would also be fine.  Maybe then do a simple edible favor for each child.

jlw2505

I think its a great idea and we have been to a party like that and my kids loved that they each got to bring home a book.  I felt bad for the birthday girl that she was not getting any gifts though so I did bring her a Target gift card for $10 or $15.

Jodi&Joe

Never IRL has it ever been an issue bringing gifts to a bday party.  That's so a nest thing and it's just really really really silly IMO!  Birthdays are for receiving, and giving, gifts.  Gift giving is part of the celebration.  It's just so strange, IMO.

AnnapolisLari

What Jetta said.