Mum-of-two Rachel has stirred debate online after outlining the strict rules for her daughter’s birthday party, which included no food, no gift, no games, and an early start time of 9.30am
One mum has come under fire after banning gifts for her daughter’s birthday party.
Planning your little one’s first birthday is a huge deal, but can also get extremely overwhelming. There’s the guest list to sort, a venue to find, food to cook, gifts to wrap, and a day of screaming children to look forward to. Amidst the cost-of-living crisis, many Brits have cut down on the lavish events in replacement for a much more low-key party.
However, mum-of-two Rachel has gone viral after explaining her cut-throat rules when it comes to her daughter’s b-day bash. Whilst some have applauded the mum for her strict itinerary – others have accused her of throwing the ‘worst’ event ever.
Taking to TikTok, Rachel made it clear the guests should arrive at 9.30am promptly and only stay for an hour and a half. “I want you all to know that I do not want you at my house all day,” she said.
“I do not expect you to sacrifice your entire Saturday for a child’s birthday party who’s not even going to remember it. Other rules included not serving food with the exception of some ‘snacks’, not playing games, and asking for cash instead of gifts.
“I specifically put on the invitation ‘please do not bring gifts’,” the mum said. “We’re having a Harry Potter-themed party for her birthday (her name is Hazel Paige) so on the invitation I said HP is far from a house elf so she needs no clothes.
“Then I said like she has more toys than Dudley Dursely on his birthday or something like that… But like homegirl needs nothing. I said, if you feel inclined to bring something consider $5 (around £4) because we’re trying to remodel our backyard.”
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The controversial rules attracted the attention of thousands of users, many of which slammed the mum for her ‘awful’ party plans. “How despicable!” one viewer fumed. “I don’t care if your child doesn’t need toys…. Kids don’t understand that. This woman shouldn’t be a parent. Pat for your own landscaping! This entitlement era is disgusting!”
Another agreed, writing: “This is the worst first birthday party ever.” A third added: “What are you even inviting people to your house for?” While a fourth penned: “Yes, don’t bring a gift for the birthday girl but contribute towards our home renovations….Oh, and screw a cake.”
However, hundreds defended this mum’s approach – with many users dubbing the rules as ‘brilliant’. “I’m not going to lie, this is the most genius idea,” one person raved.
Another agreed, commenting: “I went big for my oldest’s first birthday. After that, I realised it didn’t matter and no one else had a big first birthday party.” While a third wrote: “TOTALLY COMMEND YOU!!!! You are speaking clear logic and wish I would have done this for all three of my kids!”
Do you think the mum is in the wrong? Let us know in the comments section below
