A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

do you expect to get a gift?

a lot of the frustration about big event parties seems to come from having to worry about shelling out so much dough...so I am curious where the expectation comes from.

do you get upset when someone DOESN'T give you a gift?

do you feel ANY gift is good enough? (a bottle of wine etc) or do you expect $$ for certain things...expect people to "cover their plate"?

Message edited 8/14/2008 3:10:34 PM.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party

What kind of party?

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party

I'll answer.

I love getting gifts. it's so much fun.

BUT I don't expect them. they are a treat. and I don't throw a party with the idea that I'll make money off of it.

I love having my friends around, hosting, kicking up and dancing...getting drunk...living life.

that is enough for me. anything extra is gravy.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party

No- I never expect gifts.
I throw parties to celebrate and that's it.
However- when I go to parties- I feel badly not bringing something.

I would much prefer it if people would put something on the invite like- No gifts please, your presence not your presents, or something similiar.
Because although gifts should never be expected- you sometimes feel like a heel not bringing one to a party- regardless of the host's intentions...

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party

I am old school. I would NEVER EVER go ANYWHERE empty handed and I have to say that I am still a little shocked when other people do.

I wouldn't say that I get upset, I will just say that I am just surprised that people do that.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party

I 100% am honest when I say -- NO I do not expect a gift.

I LOVE to entertain and have people over and cook and such (our current apt. has suuucked for this--so i'm so happy to be moving soon). I think people being happy cause of full bellies is gift enough...I like that.

We had our wedding -- and sincerely did not expect our family to give us much money cause it was the first wedding that either side of the family had really ever been too. (We're a little ghetto-- ) In the end , whatever they gave--I did not care. I didn't b*tch and moan that so-and-so only gave me $50 or this person I KNOW makes money and gave like $20. (I LOATHE when I see those types of posts on LIW )

I have a party to celebrate something. Now if someone comes and they DO bring a gift, then I am even more appreciative of their generousity. I was raised you never go empty handed to soemone's house....and I am one to alwyas bring somethig--but I don't necessarily expect it.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

DH & I never go to a party empty handed but I would never expect gifts if I was throwing a random party...ie. halloween, christmas,4th of jul etc. etc....I love having people over

Message edited 8/14/2008 3:08:58 PM.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

i don't expect anything. I love to celebrate and get everyone together.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

No.

In our family when we have parties all the guests usually bring a dessert but a wrapped up gift not so much.

When my friends come I just expect them to bring themselves if they bring anything more I get mad at them, but the good kind of mad.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

While I don't go to peoples houses empty handed, I will usually briing a dessert, bottle of wine, etc... but I don't really consider that a gift. I will bring a gift if the occassion calls for it.

To answer the OP question, I never would expect someone to bring a gift of any kind to a party I was hosting.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

Different kind of parties have different expectations.

When I have thrown birthday parties for me or DH/house parties/housewarming parties I don't expect a gift.

If I'm throwing a birthday party for my DD I expect her to receive presents because she's a baby and she's fabulous and deserves them.

I expect gifts at all wedding-related parties except the bachelorette party.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

The only party that I'd "throw" where I would "expect" a gift would be a wedding. And I don't have expectations on what that gift should be at all...but I would expect that someone would bring something.

However, ANY OTHER TYPE OF PARTY, I wouldn't expect gifts. Usually people feel obligated to bring gifts to kids parties, although I often tell them it isn't necessary.

When DH turns 40 I plan to have a party for him...I will be specific in saying I don't want gifts for it on that invitation.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

I think it depends on the occassion you are celebrating

I give $$ gifts to weddings, baptisms

presents to showers/housewarmings

bring wine, food, flowers, etc when it's a 4th of July bbq, Christmas open house, etc

like a pp mentioned it's just ingrained in me to not go anywhere emptyhanded

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

I am the queen of throwing "no reason parties" I'll do a pumpkin carving party around Halloween, an easter egg coloring party around Easter, random dinner parties.....I think the theme of my parties is obvious that I'm not looking for gifts..........I just enjoy getting everyone together........so no, I don't want or expect gifts.......

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

I don't throw parties aside from my wedding, and my son's birthday parties, communion party, christening etc to which I somewhat expected, but appreciated gifts.. BUT.. I didn't feel slighted if I didn't get one.

I feel OBLIGATED to bring a gift when someone invites me to a party-- yes.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

No - unless it's a wedding. I remember a few people who came to my wedding and didnt give a gift and it still annoys me.

But anything else - no, I dont expect gifts. I asked for donations to a children's charity in lieu of gifts at my daughter's baptism.

If I'm invited to anything - a bbq, a housewarming, etc. I ALWAYS bring a gift. But when I'm hosting, I dont expect gifts.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

I love to throw parties - so no - I don't expect a gift.

I swear on my dead father's life and grave I do NOT expect a gift. From anyone - wealthy, close, poor, distant, etc. No gift expectation from me.

ETA: Even for our wedding. We had enough money to throw the party - we weren't looking for anyone else's money to fund it.

Message edited 8/14/2008 3:30:32 PM.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

I love to have parties, but I never expect gifts, that's not why I have a party.

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE

Posted by Ophelia

Posted by eroxgirl

I expect gifts at all wedding-related parties except the bachelorette party.

it's YOUR fault Rebecca!

You are making everyone feel obligated!



you mean you didn't expect rubber dildos and penis necklases at your B party?

you couldn't get past my MOH without one at mine

Re: A BE HONEST spinoff...if you throw a party ANY KIND OF PARTY IMAGINABLE