cash gifts

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Gordanus

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reading the wedding thread and how people inivte the maximum amount of people so as to come out of it with a profit got me thinking.

my 40th is coming up soon. I was thinking of having a 'no gifts' policy, cos lets face it if I need something I'll buy it myself. However, the only thing I am short of is money as I would dearly like a better house.

Can I ask for 'cash gifts' only?
 
Gordanus said:
Can I ask for 'cash gifts' only?
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You can ask for the moon if you like. Are you wondering if it is socially acceptable / tasteless / tacky / bad mannered to do this - if so, I think "Miss Manners" would say yes, it is a complete and utter social faux-pas.

Suggesting that your invited guests bring anything at all demotes them to the level of paying visitors, and gives the impression that the function of a gift is to provide you with what you wish for most dearly. However, most people giving a present are expressing their affection in their own personal way, and while hoping to please you, such donors are not likely to think of your birthday as an opportunity to enrich your bank account.

Personally I would suggest that you just invite them and enjoy them, if you get any presents at all take pleasure in them no matter what they are. I got a pretty awful looking, but useful, thing as a present once from a good friend who has since passed away. I never would have thought when I opened the present that I would treasure it as much as I do now. Cash doesn't give lasting memories like that.
 
That's bad enough on wedding invitations. Looks like you are asking people to give you cash no matter what way you word it. I'd leave it up to the guests. I genuinely wouldn't expect gifts for adult birthdays and would be a bit offended if I got an invitation with any mention of them - other than 'your presence, not your presents, is all i want for my birthday'.

If you really want your friends to give you cash leave the word with a discreet friend to pass around. Don't make it look like it's coming directly from you.
 
That's bad enough on wedding invitations. Looks like you are asking people to give you cash no matter what way you word it. I'd leave it up to the guests. I genuinely wouldn't expect gifts for adult birthdays and would be a bit offended if I got an invitation with any mention of them - other than 'your presence, not your presents, is all i want for my birthday'.

If you really want your friends to give you cash leave the word with a discreet friend to pass around. Don't make it look like it's coming directly from you.
 
Gordanus said:
However, the only thing I am short of is money as I would dearly like a better house.

Can I ask for 'cash gifts' only?
Click to expand...

i may be wrong, but when I read the OP's post, I took it to be a wind-up, but the other posters seem to take it seriously. So is it a wind up or not???

If it's not a wind up....get a 2nd job(McD's could be hiring) & pay for the house ......YOURSELF :D

If it is a wind up....ha, ha, ha....I think??:confused:
 
Gordanus said:
reading the wedding thread and how people inivte the maximum amount of people so as to come out of it with a profit got me thinking.

my 40th is coming up soon. I was thinking of having a 'no gifts' policy, cos lets face it if I need something I'll buy it myself. However, the only thing I am short of is money as I would dearly like a better house.

Can I ask for 'cash gifts' only?
Click to expand...

Indeed you can and should. However this should be planned carefully in order to get the maximum benefit. For example don't just have the party in your house, this will end up costing you time money and effort. Instead visit a few local bistros/pubs on a quiet Tuesday evening and suggest they host your party on such a quiet day, ask them to provide the nibbles and you will be bringing X number of guests who will all buy one or more drinks ( probably more). They will jump at the chance. Maybe have a fee at the door- for a 'raffle' ticket. Obviously make sure the prizes look expensive but cost very little. Indeed you might be able to blag a free bottle or two of wine from the bistro/pub.

Make tacky your theme ( let's face it, it should be really) and buy all decorations at the local pound shop.

Don't bother with printed invitations, this will cut into your profit margin. Instead run them off the pc at work ( this costs you nothing! Well unless you are self employed in which case get someone else in the family to do it). I would suggest adding the all important line somewhere in the middle of the text but highlighted or in bold so that it does not get lost- after all it is the important bit. Maybe something humourous like '... there's only so many china figurines a girl can display in my tiny house...cash gifts only!!!'

Whatever wording you decide on do make it unambiguous- nothing worse than an old friend misinterpreting it and showing up with an actual pressie ( imagine the embarrassment when you have to ask for the receipt to get cash instead!). Also I'd suggest adding something like '...no amount suggested but OTHERS have given 250...' After all you don't want someone deciding that a pitiful amount is enough- you've only one chance of getting enough dough- at least until the 50th.


Hope this helps. BTW I'm busy that night.
 
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Hmmm NO ! I wouldn't even turn up if I was sent an invitation like that ! If someone asks fine but otherwise accept any gifts given gratefully like a well mannered person. If you know how...
 
count me in...especially if you can guarantee plenty of finger food.
 
I once got an invite to a 40th, with a bank account number where donations could be made towards a new banjo costing €1500.

His wife who organised it thought he doesn’t want any shirts or brandy or vouchers, what he would really like but couldn’t afford was this banjo.

It was very controversial, I wouldn’t do it, but after lots of debate we went along with it and his banjo was presented to him on the night.
 
Actually...its not tacky, but "witty" if you ask by rhyme with the invitation

Soon I'll be the big 4-0
And I'm very short of dough

etc..
 
Sorry lads, it was tongue in cheek as I was a bit shocked by the wedding thread........although Vanilla, I'll have to give your suggestions serious consideration!

(As for the banjo, I think that was justified - it's just friends having a whip round to buy somehthing he probably wouldn't buy otherwise)



PS In actuality, I am saying truly 'no gifts please', discreetly
 
Vanilla, the party you describe actually exists and is called a White Trash Party!! So Canadian friends tell me!!! Guests make every effort to emulate the guests on Jerry Springer!
 
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