How to have a birthday party for a 7 yr. old boy NEED SUGGESTIONS FOR TOY ALTERNATIVES

[NIGHTB1022]

Originally Posted by MrsPinecone While donating to a shelter is an admirable thing and a great lesson for kids to learn, I don't agree with "no presents" birthday parties. I'm sorry, but since the dawn of time, birthday parties = gifts. If you don't want them, don't have a party. If you have too much stuff, why not take some of the older stuff and donate that to a women's shelter or something?

Good Post MrsPinecone! Geez and everyone wonders why their kids get so screwed up! The kid is 7 years old, not in his 20's. Nothing like trying to make him grow up overnight!

I totally disagree with a "no presents" party, let the kid be a kid, all this "forced donation" stuff, who wants a bag of dog food for a present when you are 7 years old unless a puppy comes with it!

Yes it's honorable to donate, don't get me wrong, but don't force and jam your beliefs down your kids throat, especially at that young of an age, and people wonder why their kids become greedy and mean.

That is the problem with a lot of kids these days, they can't be kids because their parents won't let them.

If the child has "too much" already well whose fault is that, it's not the kid's he didn't go out and buy it all, so don't punish him for it by taking away his presents at a party, just don't have the party. IMO thats just mental cruelty to do that to a 7 year old.

Parents, you need to let your kids be kids and not try to make them adults at an early age just because it is what you think is right or fashionable to say to the other "soccer" moms, "Oh we had a party for little Johnny and donated all of his gifts". Most parents would look at you like you were nuts or something anyway.

[coupongirl69]

This was supposed to be a GIFT SUGGESTION THREAD. I want gift options. I have no intention of him not receiving anything. He already has a closet with gifts in it from us,duh!
I want him to get presents or he'll freak. I just think he's got way too many TOYS.
Why would you have a party with no presents. I'm not an idiot and I have nothing to prove to the soccer moms or anyone else. I was just wondering what suggestions I could give parents when they ask what to get him that's going to make him happy and not be a waste of their time and money.
Geez!!! I need more coffee.

[buddysmom]

Maybe many people - myself included misinterpreted your OP.

[MrsPinecone]

Wow, relax. No need to get so combative.

You were asking for suggestions. People gave them to you.

I think it's rude to dictate to people what kind of gifts you find acceptable. A little "hey, he needs books" is fine. Asking to bring puppy food is out of line, and I would decline an invitation that said that.

[mxmom99]

being 7 he is going to want to open gifts. if he already has too many toys, maybe he would donate the toys he already has. if you have 10 people come, have him choose 10 toys (or have him double it if he has tons!) that he will donate in order to make room for the new stuff. my kids never had a problem doing this and i think they felt good knowing they were donating to help someone else.

(another suggestion is asking school if they need anything...we donated tons of stuff to kindergarten classes)

[BostonRed]

Originally Posted by coupongirl69 This was supposed to be a GIFT SUGGESTION THREAD. I want gift options. I have no intention of him not receiving anything. He already has a closet with gifts in it from us,duh! I want him to get presents or he'll freak. I just think he's got way too many TOYS. Why would you have a party with no presents. I'm not an idiot and I have nothing to prove to the soccer moms or anyone else. I was just wondering what suggestions I could give parents when they ask what to get him that's going to make him happy and not be a waste of their time and money. Geez!!! I need more coffee.

I think people were confused by the original title of this thread:

Re: How to have a birthday party for a 7 yr. old boy and not have gifts?

[greenfrog57]

My DS is 7 and loves craft items. My mom sends him some and it's special to get a crayola kit out of the garage when it's snowing out or he's bored. I love that I don't have to pay for the extravagant kits. Also, my DS loves music so maybe itunes or even a cd. What about requesting a certain dvd (think classic family movies are $5 or so at WM).... And, my kiddos could never have too many books.

[mxmom99]

i posted before reading all the replies....and quite frankly, YOU are having the party. if you choose to ask for particular things (or not for them) that is YOUR decision. you could make it a theme party and ask that all gifts relate to that theme. if people choose not to attend the party, that is their choice. i don't know you or your child, but even at 7 YO all 3 of mine WANTED to donate to certain places. (my DD had a tea party one year and all the teddy bears rec'd from the quests were donated to a local shelter). as long as your child has a say in it, whats the harm?? children are never too young to learn that GIVING IS BETTER THAN RECEIVING!!!

just my 2 cents.

ETA: some of the parents might even thank you for not expecting extravagant gifts in this economy

[NIGHTB1022]

Originally Posted by BostonRed I think people were confused by the original title of this thread: Re: How to have a birthday party for a 7 yr. old boy and not have gifts?

Exactly, love how that title got modified, now it's for toy suggestions!

[Colinsgrandma]

A friend did a party and asked people to bring something for every year so if he is 7 bring seven dimes or seven pieces of gum. Kind of fun to see what everyone thinks of plus gift cards could be given also.