Dd will be 1 yr. in June and I'm starting to think about her party. It will be a cookout at our home with only immediate family (about 15 people total, including cousins, no friends or anything like that). Never done this before but
is it okay/should I include a list of birthday gift ideas? There are a few things we would like for her, all under $10 or so. The bigger things will be gifts from us. I know that our brothers and sisters will ask us anyway what she needs/wants. Also, if you want any college fund donations, how do you word that on the invitation or is that even okay? Thanks!!!

By Reds9298 on Monday, April 18, 2005 - 10:53 pm:

PS: Any cool ideas about first birthdays that I should know?

By Clarabel on Monday, April 18, 2005 - 11:03 pm:

I'm just going to tell you that I've never been invited to a child's birthday where someone did that.It's not a baby shower.That's just my experience.Whatever they bring,they bring.

Just make a bunch of food, put someone else on camera duty because you are going to have your hands full, and prepare to be exhausted.Have fun.

By Pamt on Monday, April 18, 2005 - 11:07 pm:

No, it's never good etiquette to request or even assume gifts. If family members want ideas then they'll ask you for them. You should never make suggestions.

By Reds9298 on Monday, April 18, 2005 - 11:28 pm:

Clarabel - I haven't seen an invitation like that either but I thought maybe since it was just family, and close family at that. I won't do it.
Sloppy Joe's for everyone!!!

By Jann on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 07:03 am:

If they CALL you and ask, it would be perfectly fine to make suggestions, but putting it in the invite, imho, is rather tacky.

By Mrsheidi on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 08:56 am:

Deanna, if you come from a family like ours, they LOVE suggestions. My dad is so picky that, at Christmas and his birthday, he will actually give me the catalog number and color of whatever he wants without me asking. It's a little strange, but in our family, we want to get what people need...not what WE think is best for them.

So, you know your family best. My bet is that some of them will call you and ask so I would prepare a list of things that are desirable. Just make sure you don't tell Aunt Margaret and then Cousin Joe the same gift idea. Keep track of "who" you tell "what" to. They also like choices, so maybe give them 2 ideas and let them pick.
That's just the way we do it in our family. I wouldn't put anything on the invites, but be prepared if they call and ask.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 09:03 am:

Heidi - I know what you mean!!! We're exactly the same way Everyone has the page # and the phone # for the catalog they want the item from.

I do have a list ready, so I'll just keep it handy and not put anything on the invitations. Thanks!

By Vicki on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 12:03 pm:

I agree with the others that say to wait for them to ask you for ideas. Dd's birthday is very close to Christmas. I always have a list of things she wants or needs and when people call, I give them something from that list. But, I wouldn't include it in the invite.

By Conni on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - 09:34 am:

Ditto. My family is vary close and we have some close friends. However, I would never actually include a want/need list in invitations. They always call and ask for ideas, sizes, etc... Thats when I have my list handy.

I also have never rcv'd an invitation that included a list of bday wants.

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - 03:45 pm:

I just accept any gifts given and if there are duplicates I sell them on ebay and buy something else. If I don't like it, I sell it on ebay. I love ebay. It makes birthdays worth it these days, lol.

DD had a few duplicate toys last year. One we gave away and the others we sold on ebay. I took the money we made off selling them on ebay (about $45.00) and bid on new clothes for her instead.

By Mrsheidi on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - 05:06 pm:

Or, most stores like Toys R Us will take them back and give you store credit.