oregon brewer’s Recent Comments

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  Present-free parties

  My son, who is now 8, has had present-free birthday parties with friends for the past four years.  He gets lots of presents from grandparents and other family (who usually do check with me for gift ideas), so it is not like he is being deprived.  We just want to cut down on the amount of stuff coming into our house and also keep the focus of the parties on having fun with friends, not on "getting".  

  On the invitations to the party we just put, "No presents except your presence."  Depending on the theme, we have sometimes suggested something for the participants to bring.  For example, one year we had a swim party at our local pool and suggested that each child bring a drawing of their favorite sea animal.  The kids had fun sharing what they had made, and afterwards I bound them into a book for my son to keep to remind him of everyone who was there.
  On Umbra on kids' birthday parties posted 2 years, 2 months ago 15 Responses