Would you bring a gift to a no gift (charity preferred) party?

We've been invited to a few no gift parties and EVERYONE still brings a gift. The first one we went to, I did not bring a gift as the invitation stated. I felt we were the only guests who did not bring a gift and I felt terrible. For every no gift party we've been invited to afterwards, I always bring a gift (usually a puzzle or educational toy).

This time, we got invited to another no gift party but the family requested that if we must, we should donate to a cancer charity.

Would you still bring a gift and donate?

Would you bring a gift to a no gift (charity preferred) party?

maybe something really small and attach a card with your cancer donation. maybe a personalized book http://www.potterybarnkids.com/shop/books-music/personalized-books/
You can never have too many books in my opinion.

Re: Would you bring a gift to a no gift (charity preferred) party?

This is such a pet peeve of mine

WHY WHY WHY if the person specifically requests no gifts, do people think that means its ok to bring a gift?

not only are they ignoring the wishes of the party giver, they're making anyone who listened to the invite feel bad for not bringing something.

AAHH!!!

so no, i would not bring a gift. a small puzzle/book etc is still a gift and if the person doesn't want them, its probably because they've got too many to begin with! If the person requests a donation to a charity in lieu of gifts, then i'd do that instead.

when did gift giving become more about the giver than the receiver?

ok, rant over

Would you bring a gift to a no gift (charity preferred) party?

No. You don't say "no gifts" because you really want gifts. No means no.

What I'd do in this situation is donate to a charity in the child's name and then give a birthday card with a print out showing that you donated.