For parties with friends, I do still ask for no gifts. On invitations we say “No gifts: best wishes only, please.” Some do completely disregard it, and if you have a bunch of those ask for something specific instead.

Creative ways around it I have seen are book exchanges at birthday parties. Or specifically asking for books. (You can never have too many books!)

Here’s a great one I heard of recently: asking everyone to bring a card only, with a picture of them in it and a nice note. The child (who turned 4) LOVED it.

You could ask for a little craft made by the giver. Or a tiny plant. Or puzzles. Or craft supplies. (Tie it in with party theme: it’s a CRAFT PARTY! Yee haw” ha).

For grand parents for a long time I would do the shopping, show them what I bought and then they would in turn buy it from me to give to our kids. Now they buy mostly clothes, occasionally contribute to larger “presents” (like our giant swing set) and contribute to the kids RESPs. You could also ask for help in furnishing a fish tank, or redoing their playroom or things of that nature.

Our relatives and close friends know we don’t desire or tend to keep plastic toys. I have donated several garbage bags full to shelters and charities already, and Bob isn’t even 4 yet! Eventually they get the drift, because they see (1) what kind of toys you have in your house and (2) what they have bought isn’t there. (It’s being enjoyed by a child… just not your child).

My friend Chrystel bought Meeps a little pop up tent from CDN Tire for her birthday. She was like “you guys are so hard to buy for because I know you throw most of it away, you’re a challenge!” But man, did she ever rock it with that little tent!

Good luck!!

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Priscilla: The Nubian/Boer girls I bought as babes last summer are “Betty Broadbent” and “Billy Jean Baker”. Not births here, but arrived wee.

I love it when you post about non-plastic kids’ toys. I have a ton of nieces and nephews and while their parents don’t have any rules about plastic toys, I prefer to get them toys made from natural materials or toys that inspire creativity, but I’m at a loss for ideas sometimes. So your toy posts always help me out!