If you have ever stood in the toy aisle an hour before a birthday party, holding something you hope a child will like, you will understand why one new party trend is making parents so happy. Instead of asking guests to bring wrapped presents, some families are asking for a small amount of money equal to the birthday child’s age. A boy turning seven would get $7 from each guest. A girl turning five would get $5.
The idea comes from moms at one school, and a mom who posts as @lyss.rosey7 shared it because she thinks it is so smart. Her caption says it avoids overconsumption, clutter and overspending.
@lyss.rosey7
How the idea works
She says some of the moms at her oldest child’s school have started adding a short note to their invitations. First, the note says there is no obligation to bring a gift. Then it adds that, if guests feel so inclined, the birthday child would love $7 for his or her seventh birthday. The age changes with the child.
The money is pooled, so the family can buy one gift, chosen by the child. That one gift might be something larger and more special than a stack of small toys.
The group chat applauded
She says this had just happened the day before. When one of the moms sent out the note, the group chat lit up. All the moms were applauding, with messages like, yes, thank you for saving me a trip to Target.
She explains why it hit home for her. It feels as though her first grader goes to birthday parties all the time, and she admits she is always running to Target at the last minute an hour before to grab a gift. She says she is guilty of it, too.
The problem with a pile of presents
She also looks at it from the host’s side. For her son’s birthday, he receives gifts from her and from family. If he then has 15 friends at the party, each bringing a present, she calls that overconsumption to the max. A single child can walk away with a mountain of new toys, many of which will be forgotten within weeks.
With the dollar amount approach, friends bring the amount of whatever age the child is turning, and the family can buy one gift with a pool of money. She says it saves all the moms time, and probably saves everyone some money, since a lot of people buy gifts that cost more than seven dollars. And she plans to use it herself because it means less stuff in her house.
Doing the math
Let us put numbers to it, using her example of 15 friends. If each child brings $7, the birthday boy would receive $105. That is enough for a larger toy, a bike helmet and accessories, a set of art supplies or even a contribution to a bigger item the child has been wanting. Compare that to 15 separate gifts, which might be 15 small toys or games that cost $15 to $25 apiece, which adds up to $225 to $375 of spending by guests.
Of course, this is simple arithmetic and not something she says in the video, but it shows why the idea appeals to both hosts and guests.
Tips if you want to try it
- Keep the wording gentle. She notes that the invitation first says there is no obligation to bring a gift. Make it clear that guests can show up empty handed.
- Be specific about the amount. Tying the amount to the child’s age is easy to remember and keeps it small.
- Decide on the gift ahead of time. Some families let the child pick one special present. Others set aside the money for a savings account or for an experience.
- Write thank you notes. A short note that tells guests what the money was used for adds a personal touch.
- Know your crowd. Not every family or community will be comfortable with it, so use it where it fits and do not force it.
- Offer alternatives. Some parents ask guests to bring a book to swap or donate to a charity drive instead.
A note for grandparents and relatives
If you are a grandparent, you may be used to bringing a present to every celebration. This trend does not mean you cannot. It is just a way of making the party less stressful. If you want to give something more, you can ask the parents what the child needs or wants. Many parents would welcome a gift card for a class, a contribution to a college savings account or a day out together.
Why it fits a simpler home
For families who are trying to keep clutter down, birthdays are one of the hardest times of year. A pile of unopened toys can take over a playroom in a single afternoon. Asking for a small amount instead is a way to keep the celebration while cutting the excess. The hosts get a gift their child really wants, the guests avoid a last minute rush, and the house stays a little calmer.
She says she thought the idea was so good she wanted to share it, and the response from other parents suggests she is not alone. Sometimes the simplest changes, like replacing a trip to Target with a few dollars in an envelope, make the biggest difference.