Is it acceptable to list the childs needs in a birthday invite?

This is for my my daughters first birthday and the invites are going to family and very close friends. I didn't make a a list for my sons first b-day and everyone was calling us asking what he needed. Is it acceptable to just save everyone time to add her clothes a shoe size and that she would like age appropriate toys?
Is it acceptable to list the childs needs in a birthday invite?
I think you should send around a general e-mail with her sizes and state that it's because you've been asked. Please don't put it on the invitation. Even though it's family and friends, that's just not great etiquette. The focus on any child's birthday party should be attendance of the guests, not the gifts. I realize you have a good reason but as I said...send it in an informal e-mail if you start getting phone calls.





Otherwise, gifts are just that, gifts; not something necessarily expected, and appreciated whether they're perfect or not.





Happy birthday to your little girl!
Reply:That sounds a little pushy. I personally wouldnt do it cause I would slightly be uncomfortable if I received an invite with a list. But it really depends on you and your friends. If you want I would make a list on a separate piece of paper titled possible gift suggestions and mail it with the invite and maybe put a disclaimer at the bottom stating that the list is purely just suggestions to aid in the gift purchasing process. Problem then is you risk getting 20 of the same thing. If you just have people call you then you can tell each one to get you something different but if you mail them all the same list you dont know who's going to get what!
Reply:Yes, I would say it is acceptable to just include clothing and shoe size if it is really going to be a nuisance to you to have people calling you asking you. I personally never like to give the impression that I am expecting gifts but that is just personal preference e.g. not including a bridal registry in a wedding invitation. I think most people will make the assumption that age-appropriate toys would be on the list. Just writing her sizes in the corner would be fine. That way people can reference it should they choose to purchase something for the celebration of her first year.





Have a great party!
Reply:don't, it would look rude on paper. If it REALLY bothers you that much, a solution would be for you to register somewhere so people could just have a choice of stuff to pick out...





Otherwise, just feel glad people in your family are considerate enough to call ahead to make sure the gift will be something your daughter will be able to enjoy, rather than just getting a gift card to some store you all hate or something that doesnt even fit.
Reply:In all honesty, I am offended when someone puts gift ideas in an invite. I think it is rude and presumptuous. Birthdays are not supposed to be all about presents. Do you mail out wish lists in your Christmas Cards, too? If you don't have the time to answer the phone calls and emails about what to get your child for his or birthday, then the people you are inviting must not be that "close" afterall. If they were around enough, they would know what your child enjoys.
Reply:Although it maybe an intelligent choice I'm afraid it maybe misunderstood by some as being a way for you to obtain items your child needs through their birthday. Its just a choice that if you give these answers you should do it in person, and not on paper. I'm sure the party will be awesome, with allot of beautiful and practical gifts that your child will one day thank you for doing or not doing.
Reply:I would say no, but you might include a message that says "For gift questions call (phone number)" or something along those lines. or "Please include receipt with clothing" I'm sure ppl will understand that. When it comes to toys, you're going to have to just accept them and hope you can return any undesired ones at the store. If she doesn't play with them now, she will in the future. Some people just have no idea what to buy a young child =]
Reply:No. It's presumptive. You don't want to be bothered with requests? Is that it? That is how it could be perceived.





I'm with you. I prefer to address everything ahead of time but I realize that it's not always appropriate or appreciated. It's better to follow society. Wait for the calls asking questions.
Reply:It is normally considered rude and inappropriate to list birthday present information on the invitation. People are supposed to take the time to call and you are supposed to take the time to answer.
Reply:that would save a lot of problems but it sounds like you need to bring a gift and there no choice try wording it diffrently like if you want to buy them clother she is _______ size.
Reply:Yes, I have received invitations that directed me to the store with the most competitive cost, something for which I was thankful.
Reply:No it is never acceptable to list gift requests/needs, registry info, etc. If they call and ask you can tell them but you should never list gifts.
Reply:I dont think its acceptable at all. I kinda think its a little rude to think that your expecting them to bring a gift. If some people call asking for this info then sure let them know but dont just add this inside the invites.
Reply:Big No. That sends the message that you expect them to buy those things. Its better to just let them call you. Annoying yes, but it is much more polite.
Reply:clothes and shoe size is perfectly ok. :) age appropriate toys is a given, I think.
Reply:It makes it seem like you [expect] a gift from them. Giving a gift or what gift should be given, should be an option.
Reply:I don't think so but if you are comfortable stating a short (mid-priced) list than have at it.
Reply:Actually I think it could go either way based on your relationship with the invited guests. If you choose to tell them what you want, I would be careful not to word it so that it looks like you are EXPECTING gifts. The party is about celebration of life, not tonka toys. Because of the thin line between expecting gifts and informing guest (keep in mind some already know what to do in the situation so why send it to all?) I would say it is best to say away from listing stats.





We have great quick ways to communicate now days there is no reason to try to beat them to the punch. Just let them ask you then try this:





When my daughter turned a year old we made a birthday registry for her at Target. We put no more than 5 moderately priced things on there and kept it open until her birthday. We DID NOT send out notice of the registry in the invite. If someone asked what she would like we would rattle off the usual play clothes, books and offered for them to look at her birthday registry (once again depends on the relationship with the guest-ours were family and God parents only).


This could work for you.
Reply:that would be helpful to everyone. also say something like, "to avoid the many calls i got last time regarding items (your son's name) needed, i'm listing some of the things (daughter's name) needs"
Reply:I wish people would do that.. It would save my wife and I a lot of headaches trying to find out what someone needs. I don't think it is tacky at all.. It saves a phone call and much time! Besides.. we hate giving the gift cards...





And to those who think it is tacky.. You must think Wedding and Shower registries are horribly offensive...
Reply:Yes! I think people would be glad to have some idea of what to get her. It's always a pain having to buy clothes that are somewhat large because then the child will hopefully be smaller and grow into them rather than knowing the size to buy for.
Reply:I may seem a bit forward so you should probably put something like :





If you are thinking of getting clothes/shoes, these are _____'s sizes.





Or something similar. Just try to make it like a subtle hint of sorts !
Reply:I don't see anything wrong with adding a wish list.