# Birthday party invitation

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthday-party-invitation/179570>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 4, 2003, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthday-party-invitation/179570 "2003-06-04T12:45:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthday-party-invitation/179570/1 "2003-06-04T12:45:46Z")

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I’m designing an invitation for a surprise birthday party. How do I indicate that the people don’t have to bring a gift, but that a card would be welcome (without being this wordy)? I think a few of the people might bring gifts anyway, but I don’t want the others to feel obligated.

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**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthday-party-invitation/179570/2 "2003-06-04T12:50:01Z")

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I think a simple “no gifts, please” is appropriate.

Or to be cute: “In lieu of gifts, hugs and kisses will be accepted.”

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**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthday-party-invitation/179570/3 "2003-06-04T12:59:43Z")

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Maybe you could say, “In lieu of gifts, we will all be signing a memory book” or card or something. They’ll get the picture.