What is the proper way to invite guests to a child's birthday party and let them know that gifts are optional?
958231
Just write "gifts are optional" on the invitation, or don't mention it at all.  But don't make a big deal out of it either way.
717871
Well If you have money to spend then cfall all her best closestb friends for a light tea at your friends house say at 18.00 hrs on her birth day and you order cake etc and get it delivered at 19.00 hrs sharp along with candles and tea cups plus some munching items .You see to it that you are present at your friends house by 17.00 hrs and dont allow her to go out. Let her friends, say five six in numbers, come one by one UNANNOUNCED and let your friend wonder what is happening.\nlet none of them wish her Happy Birthday but act dumb and if the friend tells her it is her birthday let them feint surprise and lie low. Once all are assembled and when cake arrives you can sing in chorus Happoy Birthday.\nThis can be on a week end need not be exactly on B Day and the party can be at an outside cafeteria with prior reservation and once all gather at the friends house ask her \nwhere is the party we were invited for a party at your home etc and when the friend is bewildered all of you take her to the cafetria and enjoy\nOr else send a card and a cake to be delivered in absentia!!!
976502
Sign it from the team. After all, you didn't ask the team in advance if they wanted to give a gift certificate. Also, it is not exactly in the spirit of an end-of-season gift to try to make a point or embarrass people by leaving their names off a gift card.\n\nAnd Erika S is right! Have ALL the girls sign it individually. That would make it a nicer memento, and it's correct that the girls are not at fault for their parents not wanting to chip in.
141487
I'd say that you'll have to be strong on this one with your grandmother. If it's too hard to say that you only want to invite certain people and not all the extended family, see if you can pin it on the place where you're at (room to small, already committed to the head-count). There used to be a time when you could invite some people and not others and no one took offense to it. But nowadays in this "please me" society we are ever more careful not to offend. If questioned by relatives as to why they weren't invited to the party you can respond "I regret that we weren't able to invite every person we thought of!" and leave it at that. You owe no explanation beyond that. Hope that helps - have a great party!
338850
ask them to come, offer good food and great drinks and maybe tell them alittle about what kind of party it is good luck
1006091
You have to have a first birthday party.  It's doesn't have to anything big.  They got to have that smash cake.  That's the best part of it.  This is the time when she starts to really enjoy new things.  Most bakeries give you the smash cake free when you order a regular cake (it's just a little bit of the batter from the regular cake).  It can just be immediate family.  Order some pizzas or go to a deli and buy some meats and cheeses and rolls, make a couple of easy side salads, set it up buffet style and there you go.  simple and cheap.  Decorations can be a couple of pink balloons and some pink plates and flatware.  Save the character parties for when she's older.  Plan it with your sister in law.
749138
Get some ideas from here: \n\nhttp://www.teenpartyideas.com/html/miscellaneous.html\n\nAlso, a day or so after the party, send out Thank You notes to each of your guests! =)
1023190
If they are invited guests let them know upon invite that is how it is at your house Anyone who you invite, should be friends enough to know you enough to understand. All others you definatly should directly ask nicely to take off their shoes, they aren't the one's who wash the floors/carpet!
544449
Don't play guessing games. Call everyone you invited and make a complete and accurate list of everyone who is attending. There should only be a 'yes list' and a 'no list'. Do not allow inconsiderate people to bully you into creating a 'maybe list'.\n\nWhen you call those who did NOT do the RSVP, it is becuase their invitation was obviously lost in the mail. None of your friends would be so thoughtless as to simply not bother responding to your kind invitation, now would they?\n\nWhen you call those who DID do the RSVP, it is "to confirm" the names of every person who plans to attend. If you were unwise enough to use expressions like "and guest" or "and family" on your invitations, this is even more necessary.\n\nBesides giving you an accurate head count, these calls allow you to re-assert your control of the guest list. Be prepared to say things like "Your new boyfriend sounds wonderful, and I look forward to meeting him ... but this occaision is really only for people we know" and "I'm so sorry, but we're not having children." \n\nIf someone tries to clobber you with "If I can't bring my (whatever), then I can't come either" your response is "I hope you'll change your mind. If you do, just let me know by June 17th."
912132
If children will be there, you might consider taking something that would interest them, like a nice Mac and Cheese casserole, or a nice salad that has kid friendly stuff in it like ham, turkey cheese or something like that. You might take a dessert that you have had at your family gatherings that this family may not be familiar with.    Adults only, the wine is great or better yet, a nice bottle of Cognac or Bourbon.  When you are invited into someone's home, ESPECIALLY for a major holiday, pretty much anything that can be considered part of the feast is appropriate.  You probably already know this, but be sure to send a thank you note to the host and hostess letting them know how much you enjoyed being included.
56701
1.\n\nRemember it's the kid's party.  They probably don't want to be watched by a load of parents, or bothered by siblings.\n\nIf any of the parents don't take the hint, then be pragmatic and make them most welcome.  (There are no bigger spoilt children than some parents).
424948
You did impose upon the hostess.  The best thing to do would have been to go to collect your daughter and mention the situation and why she must leave early.  This would have given the hostess an opportunity to offer an invitation to your friends daughter without feeling it was foisted upon her.  If she did not offer then collect your daughter with the promise of specially recognizing the birthday girl at a later date.  Since this has already past I would take the advice of the other answer of sending a gracious thank you and invite the hostess to a dinner, or perhaps even a night free of children (babysit for her) since she had so many plus one!
452707
Just a card is fine. acknowledge all the work she put into the shower. Try and remember or even write down the gift that were given so that when you do the thank-you cards for the rest of the guest youc an thank them for thier specific gift....it's always nicer when you make it personal. If you have the money and you feel the need or want there is nothing wrong with something small to say thank-you to the hostess but it's not nessisary. A lot of people when expecting are on a tight budget and don't have the money to spend.
854926
Post what their ages are in your additional details and i'll be able to give better advice. BLESS YOU WOMAN. You are one brave soul! My children are 9 and 10 so I'll have to go with what I would want to do. BOWLING. Both sexes like it and you don't have to do much entertaining. Start making our a guest list now. The party is going to be in February but start organizing the details now. I'd make sure to buy canned pop. It's less of a mess and it will save you time. Ask your child what they want as far as cake and ice cream is concerned. Also, I always recruit a mother to help me out. It's usually my sister and my aunt.
716644
Get them a simple giftcard from a local store. Let them choose whatever they want.
220699
A good surprise party would be to get the person when they are just waking up. Have everybody that, that person knows outside waiting and then once he or she is in the same room have them all scream and shout "Happy Birthday" Also as the day goes on have more surprises such as a gift given every hour, you could also get them concert tickets that same day for there favorite artist. Oh and when your at the concert dont tell them until its finished, and say i have you a once in a life time chance to meet the artist. lol this might be expenisive but hey if money is no problem what the heck throw them something they will remember. If money is short do it the old fashioned way and gather friends and relatives together to celebrate the Bday. HAVE A PARTY!!!!!!!!!
54724
If Birthday- Wrap in gift wrap and put in Birthday Bag.\nIf Holiday- Wrap in gift wrap and put in holiday bag.