Its not easy being a disrupter.
With any new trail you blaze, youre bound to face backlash.
But it is 2018, and I just feel that this is a year for bold gestures.
On your kids birthday invitation, write, No gifts, yo.
I know this has always seemed like one of those things thats nice in theory.
Maybe youve seen other peopletry it and miserably fail.
Perhaps youve even considered doing it yourself at some point.
I know I have every time Ive planned a party for my 5-year-old daughter.
We have a lot of stuff, and it would better to have less of it.
And yettimid shrugyou cantnothave birthday gifts, right?
Its a deeply embedded social norm to give and receive gifts on birthdays.
And what about grandma?
What do you tell grandma?
How do you just alter tradition?
Whats pushing me across the line isthis Twitter threadby a woman who goes by Moist Towelette.
And this kids parents are well-off too.
Between them, they probably earn at least 3x more than I do.
And have wealthy parents.
like think of who youre inviting and whether they will be able to afford a gift.
Buying gifts can add to/be a financial strain for some.
The thing is, you never know who might be struggling.
But it gives an out to people who cant.
There are ways to appease those who really want to give something.
(Just dont write in lieu of.
Its a kids birthday party, not a cotillion.)
If friends text you and ask, Come on,do you really mean no gifts?
say, Yes, I do.
She even messaged the guest list a couple times to remind people.
At the party, I didnt see any giftsjust a stack of birthday cards.
As for grandma, she can buy the kid a present.
Give your own gift if you want to.
Or even better,an experience.
You may cause some confusion at first, but all change does.
Ultimately, well all thank you.
