Thank your lucky stars and hope the trend catches on, LOL.

If you feel compelled to make a donation to the shelter, that's fine, but really not necessary.

I like the idea of the donation.

Hope more parents continue this trend. When our granddaughter turned one, her parents had party. Only request was no gifts for granddaughter. You could donate pajamas for the Pajama Program for children that were in situations that were unsafe. Collected over 150 pairs of new pajamas. It was a wonderful party. This year she turned two , they did the very same. At both parties they invited the folks from the agency to attend the party and they took the pajamas for distribution.

Wonder how the little one feels about no gifts

I think at 3 she'd just be having fun with friends. We had a family 3rd b'day party in the park for my first because we'd been away in the service for the first 2. The only thing she was interested in was the little paper party cups with M&M's in them. (May have been her into to candy .)

I don't like the trend at all. Birthdays parties are a great opportunity for little ones to learn about sharing in the joy of others, how to give and accept gifts graciously,sharing the day with others, allowing others to feel special and so on. There is lots of opportunity for lifelong lesson in etiquette and social skills at a child's birthday party.

Not giving gifts is like zero tolerance elsewhere. The lazy way out. Makes it easier for the adults but eliminates so many opportunities for teaching life's lessons.

I don't like donating in a guests name either unless the guest (child or adult) specifically asks for that. It's like saying I gave your gift away to my pet cause and not only that I got to deduct it from my taxes. now isn't that nice>

Life is full of lessons, wildchild, and excesses. Maybe the parents are teaching a valuable lesson to their little kid that birthdays are not just about getting more stuff. Bravo to the parents.

There doesn't have to be excess in the gift giving part. It's a celebration and celebrations are often marked with gifts. What it wrong with making the day special for the birthday child?
If there is any excess involved in the the case above it is in thinking one has to make a birthday party for a 3 year old some huge affair at a local entertainment zone.

One playmate for each year,a few simple games,gifts, and cake and ice cream at home would be less excessive than no gifts and a "pay for someone else to do it party" for that age.

I think the idea of donation to a charity or cause if a wonderful gift to give a child, those grandparents are wise. What a wonderful life lesson.

I think the donation is a wonderful idea as were the pajama donations mentioned above.

I'm sure the little birthday girl either got some gifts to open at the party or else at a private family gathering.

Pizza and The House of Bounce sounds like a great party for little ones that age.

For my daughter's 6th birthday party this year we got a petting zoo (including a zebra) with pony rides. We invited a lot of children. On the invitation we asked for a donation to CNIB (canadian national institute for the blind) Our daughter is visually impaired and received services from them.
We live in a small town and of course people who were not invited couldn't help but stop and look at the animals. Of course they were invited to join in and without us asking (must of been talking to the other guests) they too donated to the CNIB. The owner of the petting zoo/ponies when packing up at the end of the party said this was the first child's party he had attended that had a donation instead of gifts. The guy donated $50 also. Our daughter did not feel like she missed out on gifts. She was so happy to ride ponies and pet so many animals. That was the gift. We will probably continue with the donation route versus gifts. It was a wonderful day for her and every child/parent attending felt good about donating to such a charity. Diane

I think the donation route is a wonderful idea. Kids these days have enough toys.

When I was growing up I only got birthday gifts from my parents. I was a happy child and I know how to share. Of course that was many moons ago.

I agree, it's a great idea. Very young children enjoy the party, friends, cake/candles, etc. more than gifts.

Gift giving certainly could be about lessons in giving and sharing. However I think kids birthday parties these days are often more of a lesson on excess - particularly in spending on lavish entertainment where sometimes parents seem to be attempting to out-do each other. Maybe this has diminished somewhat with the economic collapse.

I would respect the instructions not to give a gift. The parents are giving the child a fantastic party to share with friends and family. Perhaps that is the great lesson - that time spent with friends and family is the best gift.

Today is my gdtr's fifth birthday. Her parents rented a ballet studio for two hours and invited 20 kids. Afterwards, the family will gather at their home for dinner. The day will cost them at least $500. They have three kids. $1500 a year for birthday parties. Every time the kids go to a party, they spend $15 to $25 on a present. Currently, two of the kids go to at least two parties a month - the third is still a baby, but she'll start going to parties, probably next year! That's an additional $80 or so a month on presents. My gkids have so many toys and junk it's...well, I'm at a loss for words.

Personally, I think it's ridiculous. We are always outdoing each other with presents and venues for kids' parties. This started long ago, when my kids were little. We had cake and pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey at home, and parents said things like "Oh, how cute." Then they rented halls for their kids' parties.

I know I sound like an old crank, but I like to think that gifts have meaning beyond the WOW factor that lasts a few minutes. You never know what's going to tickle a kid. I am absolutely thrilled beyond words that my 2 1/2 yo gson latched on to the sweater I was wearing one day as his cuddle blanket several months ago. He sleeps with it. I can't possibly give him anything better than that.

I think it's a great idea. The kids will have a wonderful time together, playing games, laughing, eating pizza, ice cream, cake and soda pop. And no gifts needed. I've seen kids at birthday parties ripping the gifts open in high speed. Or sometimes the parents collect all the wrapped gifts and bring them home.

I'm with mary-C: hope this is a trend! Seems to me that the point is to gather to celebrate the birthday girl's day and to enjoy each others' company, not to open gifts.
Make the donation if you want, but be sure to congratulate the parents for doing something different - and smart.