From Emily Post "Q: I am throwing a birthday party for my son and want to invite his whole class. I donÂt want other parents to be inconvenienced and would rather this be a B-day party with no gifts. Of course we will have a dinner and give presents from family and close friends after the class party is over. How do I let parents who I donÂt know well know that they should not bring gifts? A: Gifts are expected for birthday and anniversary parties, but when honorees really donÂt want presents, their wishes should be respected. In the past, any reference to gifts on invitations was considered in poor taste, because guests were assumed to know the occasions when gifts were obligatory, and even today, itÂs incorrect to mention gifts on wedding invitations. But in light of the current gifts-for-every craze, itÂs a courtesy to inform guests when presents are not expected. The etiquette is to write "No gifts, please" at the bottom of the invitation  or to tell invitees when inviting them in person or by phone. When you receive an invitation with such a request, it should be honored. Showing up with a present when asked not to would embarrass the hosts, the honoree, and other guests who, correctly, didnÂt bring anything. If you want to give a special token of affection, you may do so at another time." See - it's fine to put "no gifts, please" on your invites. And I don't see anything wrong with having folks bring a dish to share instead of gifts. Do what you want and have fun!

you know what dgd just got from us? 2 dresses from target (size 2, $2.98 apiece) a skort, target $1.98..and finally the most expensive (kohls not the great buys) a hoodie and poncho, $20. i just can't see spending big bucks on kids clothes that last 6 months... yes, the other granny spent ?? on some sort of doll house...(she has just the 2 we have soon to be 8 grands) another great gift is books. check around though somethimes even the biggies have sales. dd's sil found a little tee and added 2 bottles of non-toxic nail polish for babies, lol... dd1 took a giant ceramic piggie bank from michaels and decorated it...it had on a "blankie" (felt square) and some tassles (she made) it was adorable...she added some loose change for a start... underware was a hit. dgd is trying to go potty by herself..one gf of dd2's tie-dyed trainers...lol...

Thanks for the responses. When I had my 50th birthday party, I wasn't thinking about gifts at all, so it didn't occur to me to write "no gifts" on the invite. But judging from the number of gifts I received, most people think a gift is obligatory for a birthday party, no matter the age. I suspect that my friend's situation is similar--she didn't write "no gifts" because she's thinking "party," not "birthday." The guest list is expansive, not just "ladies." Family, friends, husbands, kids are all invited. Come to think of it, gifts may be completely overwhelming. Nonetheless, I did get something for my friend, so I will do at least a card, and maybe a token gift, for her friend as well. The evite had a slide show of the two of them going back to 1987. It was very cute and sweet.

Welcome, ladies... dau after tomorrow, Wednesday... cocktails at 6:30 for 7 pm I saw a NYT video of Priya Krishna’s kitchen in a series they do to show you their recipe developers’ home kitchens/ work places. ( It’s a wonder how small and seemingly ill equipped they are.). In that video she made the potatoes and they looked so easy and different. I always read the comments left by ppl who have made dishes I'm interested in and got some useful tips. And as I am allergic to cilantro (and almost anything in the Apiacea family) I am subbing flat leaf italian parsley which has a similar appearance but VERY different taste. https://youtu.be/bLmEA4Zd8Vw