Ideas for wording "no gifts please"

claudinedejoie

My Fiance has been married before and due to some family issues, his mom has asked that we put a note in her sisters invitations saying "no gifts please" Does anyone have any ideas on nice wording for this?

Avion22

You don't.  Any mention of gifts SHOULD be word of mouth only.  In this day and age, in some circles it's okay to put registry info on a website, or perhaps if you do not want any gifts.  But really, gifts shouldn't be mentioned.  Even if you don't want them.

hlq2011

You don't ever say anything on invitations about gifts; if your FMIL wants to tell her sisters verbally, no gifts, then fine.  But you don't put it in the invitation.

claudinedejoie

I am aware of the etiquitte for mentioning gifts in the invitation, however,  my  future mother in law is insisting that something be put in the invitations to her sisters. So I am going to do what she asks since she understands that relationship better than I do. And I honestly don't care if they think I am tacky for it. My relationship with my future mother-in-law is more important to me than what his aunts that I see once a year think about my invitation etiquitte.

That being said.....if anyone has any wording for a way to say "no gifts" I would appreciate it. I know there are poems that say something like "your presence is all the gift we need" but I can't recall it.

Avion22

Yeah, there is something about "your presence is our present", but honestly if your fiance's aunts need explicit directions not to get you gifsts, they probably won't understand some cutesy poem or play on words.

Why doesn't your FMIL just call them and tell them not to buy you gifts?    Sorry, proably not any of my business....guess that's one of those family dynamic things.

hlq2011

Well, I can't help you then.  Sorry.  Why don't you just ask her what she wants you to say? 

Good luck.

MyNameIsNot

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_ideas-wording-gifts-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:804297eb-8658-46dd-9d56-7920580eedebPost:165a1ea2-40d7-4366-a7da-ae6d45c07341">Re: Ideas for wording "no gifts please"</a>:
[QUOTE]I am aware of the etiquitte for mentioning gifts in the invitation, however,  my  future mother in law is insisting that something be put in the invitations to her sisters. So I am going to do what she asks since she understands that relationship better than I do. And I honestly don't care if they think I am tacky for it. My relationship with my future mother-in-law is more important to me than what his aunts that I see once a year think about my invitation etiquitte. That being said.....if anyone has any wording for a way to say "no gifts" I would appreciate it. I know there are poems that say something like "your presence is all the gift we need" but I can't recall it.
Posted by claudinedejoie[/QUOTE]

<div>I get that you are comfortable ignoring etiquette, but the problem is that there isn't a polite way to say a rude thing.</div><div>
</div><div>If you are just doing whatever FMIL tells you to do, even though you know it's wrong, why not get her to word it?  </div><div>
</div><div>Good luck with all that.  </div>

Habs2Hart

"best wishes only" ???  They can interpret that how they want?  I dunno.  It's not appropriate to put anything on there.  What does your FMIL want it to say?  Why can't she just tell them word of mouth?

aegrish

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_ideas-wording-gifts-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:804297eb-8658-46dd-9d56-7920580eedebPost:165a1ea2-40d7-4366-a7da-ae6d45c07341">Re: Ideas for wording "no gifts please"</a>:
[QUOTE]I am aware of the etiquitte for mentioning gifts in the invitation, however,  my  future mother in law is insisting that something be put in the invitations to her sisters. So I am going to do what she asks since she understands that relationship better than I do. And I honestly don't care if they think I am tacky for it. My relationship with my future mother-in-law is more important to me than what his aunts that I see once a year think about my invitation etiquitte. That being said.....if anyone has any wording for a way to say "no gifts" I would appreciate it. I know there are poems that say something like "your presence is all the gift we need" but I can't recall it.
Posted by claudinedejoie[/QUOTE]


I have told my FMIL "I am not going to _______, sorry" and it has not ruined our relationship at all.  In fact, I think she respects me for being honest with her and being open.

aegrish

Now I'm not saying you need to tell your FMIL to shove it or anything, but you should be able to be honest with her and tell her "you know I don't think that I feel comfortable writing or telling them that...how about I give you the invitation to give to them if you insisit."

McKenna2012

So it's just these aunts who specifically need this information?  I'm with PPs who said your FMIL should call them if it's important to her.

AdeleDazeem

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_ideas-wording-gifts-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:804297eb-8658-46dd-9d56-7920580eedebPost:4ed112a1-66fe-46d1-a1ba-7da955f73362">Re: Ideas for wording "no gifts please"</a>:
[QUOTE]So it's just these aunts who specifically need this information?  I'm with PPs who said your FMIL should call them if it's important to her.
Posted by McKenna2012[/QUOTE]

Yup.  If it is just her sisters that need to know, she can tell them directly and you won't have to put anything on the invitation.  Problem solved!

Mrs.B6302007

Why doesn't your FMIL just get on the phone and say, "When you get your invite, don't go buy a present"?  Why does it NEED to be on the invite?  THis issue is between her and her sisters and she needs to handle it.

Amandafarber

I don't know why everyone gets all up in arms about requesting no gifts. If Will + Kate can request no gifts then it's certainly not breaking any rules! lol

OP just go with something along the lines of "Your presence if present enough." Or "No gifts please, your presence if present enough." Simple, too the point, and the aunt will get the picture.

em01092

I would ask your FMIL to please call them and let them know you do not expect gifts. While you are right, your relationship with your FMIL is more important than the details of the wedding and its good you realize this, no one here is going to condone being tacky and breeching etiquette. Don't let her boss you around, about this or anything. Be polite but firm.