We held our wedding date a month before my departure to London & two weeks before hubby’s return to England. We knew we wouldn’t be able to take any material gifts with us to our new “home”. We specified in the invites that we prefer gift certificates but this was only for our friends. The “older” guests (friends of our parents, the VERY few relatives) were told not to bother we just want them to witness our vows.

My Nanay & hubby’s parents were very scandalised (esp. when they saw my red dress!). They tried several times to change our minds, to withdraw that “line” from the invitations. But it was one of our best decisions ever. We used the ‘gifts’ for luggage, for additional clothes, tons of medicines & supplies. We got what we really wanted and needed. It’s akin to having a gift registry, but the oldies didn’t get it. Dahil na din kaya nasa probinsya kami?

Yesterday (15 April) we celebrated our son’s 3rd birthday party with selected family friends. We spent the entire day in the Colchester Zoo. We were all tired but everyone enjoyed themselves. We have special events booked for our group. The kids were given time with some farm animals & other critters. They were given some educational at the same time, which the parents themselves liked. Then my son took part in feeding the seals as the other Zoo visitors watched & cheered. We fed elephants, we even saw some disgusting rhino behaviour (i’ll post this later), we took part in the Easter fantasyland, and many more! It was really an amazing day.

Now here’s how it relates to my post…

We told the invitees that only the kids will have the free meal, they will have to pay for their lunch. We also told them not to bother with buying or wrapping their gifts, it’s optional. We really just wanted our friends and their kids with us on that day so it could be a group outing. If they felt they need to give something, we said maximum of 10 GBP is enough.

To some this will appear extreme. But given that the adults will have to fork out for their food and some will pay for the train fare to and from London, we felt it necessary to point out that their real gift is their presence. At the end of the day though my son still received nearly 100 GBP. We’re putting the loot in his savings account.

This is the way my hubby & I operate and we feel it’s pratical. Yes, we still spent good money on my son’s party but the idea is everyone will enjoy the day not just the adults drinking & eating themselves to death. And the money? Well isn’t it better to receive something you’d need rather than 10 punchbowls or dozens of GAP shirts?