What should I do about this friend of mine?

Question

I have a friend of mine who has a little boy nearly 2 and my friend LOVES to get gifts from people for her son. She's always looking for a many opportunities as possible to have a party so everyone will bring presants over. She has admitted this to me. Her son's birthday is soon approaching and already she is sending out invitations for his birthday party. She had a big party when he turned 1 and now another when he is turning 2 so it looks like he will be getting a party every year. Im just tired of her throwing these presant giving parties and the last two I have made up an excuse not to go but she has just told me I have an invitation to another party in the post. Should I go or just keep making up excuses?? She is sending all her family and friends broke. And Im not going to say anything to her (just incase someone suggest that) I guess I just don't have the balls.

Answer 1

Your friend sounds like she cant get the things herself, but then she shouldn't think that others should do it for her, me myself would talk to her about it, but in time i think everyone she is inviting will not go yeah fair enough if its birthdays and that go, but if its just a party to get things i would'nt go. but thats my view on it. hope i helped you good luck (=

Answer 2

I agree with Vegie! - you could get something that you think she might not like for her son. Or you could just get something small and not too expensive like a children's book. If she keeps inviting people just for the expensive presents they will definitely stop coming eventually.

Answer 3

well it sounds to me that your friend is just looking for a hand out.. just go to the party and buy the little boy one of those like $2 bouncy balls and you  are like not really spending any thing.

hope i helped!

Answer 4

how many things can she have that you need to have a present for. Birthdays are the only time I buy a present. I would go to this one (it is his birthday) and only spend around $10. Don't go to any other parties that you have to buy him a present. but you need to ask yourself if this is the type of friend you need in your life. Maybe time to distant yourself from such a selfish and greedy person

Answer 5

Just because your invited to a party doesn't mean you have to buy a present.

If people are stupid enough to keep giving her son presents that is their problem.

Answer 6

Buy something large, but not expensive, that usually tricks most people ;)

Answer 7

well clearly you need to donate to a good cause in the child's name for all future gifts. So hand a slip in a card saying "In honor of your ----occassion I have made a donation to then specify a charity in your name." Then leave it at that.

Answer 8

I'd go but get her a disappointing present. I know it sounds mean but if she keeps getting bad presents maybe she won't bother. Then you don't have to spend as much money (just something cheap will do) and you don't have to confront her. Hope this helps!

Answer 9

MOST PARENTS DO HAVE BIRTHDAY PARTIES EVERY YEAR FOR THERE KIDS, BUT, EVERY ONE IS ON A DIFFERENT BUDGET AND SHOULD BUY A GIFT ACCOIRDINGLY TO THERE BUDGET, I WOULDNT TRY TO BUY HER FRIENDSHIP, IF SHES A REAL FRIEND SHE DOSENT CARE IF U BUY HER KID A PACK OF GUM AS LONG AS YOU ARE THERE!!  IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AT THE PARRTY I WOULDNT ATTEND EITHER!!

Answer 10

Imagine that - a birthday every year!  =)

All joking aside, it's pretty common for parents to have a birthday party every year for their children.  That alone isn't enough to accuse her of trying to mooch others out of presents.  That said, nobody ever said a present is required to attend a party.  If you can't afford a present, just tell her so and bring the birthday boy a cute card instead.  

Answer 11

If this is her only child then it's not fair on him. He'll grow up with unrealistic expectations about the world and social life. Go but take no present. You don't have to explain yourself, but just say you're presence is your present to him. It will be the best one he gets. Birthday parties are hard that way.  

Answer 12

break the cycle,or break the bank,or even break the friendship

Answer 13

What other sort of parties is she throwing for him besides birthday parties?  It is not uncommen to have a birthday party every year for your child.  You are never obligated to buy her son a gift and if you do buy him something it doesn't have to cost you a ton of money either.  Kids that young aren't that picky....you can buy him something really inexpensive and he'd think it was the best thing in the world!

Answer 14

You could go to the "party" and not bring and extravagant gift or bring nothing at all.  Instead you could offer to help her set up or help cook or something.  If other friends and family members feel the same as you, then I'm sure your friend will hear something from one of them eventually about trying to get presents for her son.  For my son, if we threw a party, maybe just the friends that have little ones brought something, the friends of the parents really shouldn't feel obligated to keep up with the gift giving especially if you've given gifts in the past.  Good luck and go eat some cake!

Answer 15

Well its not weird for a parent to throw her child a birthday party every year, most parents do. But just because she expects expensive gifts for her son doesn't mean that you have to buy one. I would buy something affordable but appropriate if you go to the party. If you don't go to the party then don't feel its necessary to buy a gift. Its not your responsibility to foot the bill for expensive taste. If she would ever say anything to you just tell her that you cannot afford to buy expensive gifts every time someone has a birthday or other function, so you keep things simple. If she get angry over this then too bad!

Answer 16

you shoudl pull your m8 asside and seriously tell her to teach her kid some morals i mean i know how kids are at a young age  we all used to be them but seriously she has 2 learn to say no for 1nce she maybe doing good by the  child but not by the family if she values her family she should rele stop it .. just help her through it .. anddd andd if its not successful take the risk and say if you dont . pull your self together  im afraid we cannot be friends or if not just dont go to any of them just compleetly change the subject when she asks if your comign to 1 of the partys or soem thing hope i was of some help  

Answer 17

Let me tell you, maybe its time that YOU grow some huge balls and do something about it

She sounds like a cheap skate, and this is coming from a 16 year old!

For her sons birthday, just get him something you know he doesn't like or get something small and un-useful. Or else it's time to tell the truth, she needs to be told!

Answer 18

Just be honest with her. Money is tight for a lot of ppl these days and she needs to understand that. If you decide to go don't give her anything expensive just tell her money is tight. You will run out of excuses if you decide to just keep telling her excuses