Claire, this is so beautifully said. I just wanted to say that I totally agree with you, not giving gifts doesn’t mean someone is selfish or less loving. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is presence, not presents. I grew up with parents who couldn’t throw big parties or give lots of gifts, not because they didn’t care, but because they simply didn’t have much. And still, I was never sad. Those simple moments, the effort they put into making me smile, the love they gave me, meant more than anything that could be wrapped in paper. Your words reminded me that joy doesn’t need to be bought. It can come from a shared laugh, a homemade cake, or just dancing in the kitchen together. Thank you for writing this, it made me feel seen. I’m 16 now, and reading this made me even more grateful for the little things my parents did. You’re absolutely right: love isn’t stuff. 💛
Very well said! I also can't believe that there are people/parents spoiling their kids with millions on millions of gifts like they are the most important thing in the whole wide world. It's just so frustrating.
Personally, I've never had a birthday party, not a big one, not a small and not even an ordinary one. All of my June 11th over the last 20 years were spent without nothing or only a cake. Maybe that's because I don't like to throw parties or maybe because I have just a pair of friends. Other than that, my gifts were always only 50 euros from my parents and a couple of uncles and grandpas.
And I'll tell you more, I was mesmerized! Despite the final sum being low I never complained about it, never had a proper gift or never had someone giving me thousands of money (I wish, lol). Everyday I remember about all of the kids out there without nothing, particularly in Africa, Asia and Latin America. My heart breaks knowing they get just a pen or a puzzle or a t-shirt once a year. Yet parents have the audacity to complain about gifts when they give their children BIG parties and stuff??? I can't understand them, I won't talk for others because it's not my desire, but If I'll have a kid one day, I am def gonna give them a little present or when they grow a bill, that's all I can offer.
I grew with little presents as a kid, not so expensive, just a regular toy from my family. As I became older, toys were turned into a bill of 50 euros and nothing less, but not even something more. And with those bills I was buying myself Taylor Swift's cds, Concert tickets and it was enough for me.
I love the way you think, I expected nothing less from a person that I've been following costantly for the last 10 years. Love when you share your thoughts to discuss them with us!
Also I'm deeply sorry if my english isn't phenomenal lol
Thank you for sharing this wonderful sentiment. Couldn’t agree more. My son just turned two and we’re having a party on Sunday and this is just so perfectly timed. I’ve had so many questions about what to get him and my response is always, he has everything he needs.
So well said. I’ve seen some social media influencers who have rooms stuffed and stuffed with an entire toy store full of things, way more than two kids could ever dream of. To be fair, they receive lots of free items from companies who want to be featured but they also then hit the stores/second shops weekly and buy their kids things. They even took them shopping literally days before the child’s birthday party. I remember as a child of the 1980’s I had so ‘many’ toys they fit into a single toy box. I spent most of my time playing outside with just a few things and my imagination. While my own kids (now adults) grew up more privileged than I did, I hope I kept the same principles my parents taught me; less is more.
Same!!! I always went outside to play, collect rocks and different trinkets. I was born in 1994 and we didn’t have a lot growing up. But I was thrilled when I got a new doll, some new clothes (that I needed cause I’d worn out my others or grew out of them). Kids nowadays are being taught over consumption and it’s sad. Less is more!
Very well said Claire! People raise kids like that end up with entitled teenagers with attitudes and do not know how to work for anything. Then they grow up and go to college or maybe a trade school and learn nothing is given to them. They have to work for everything they want. They have trouble dealing with life that hits them in the face.
Hi Claire, as usual you have written a post full of common sense. I was shocked to read that parents have a birthday wishlist for their children's parties! Wedding present lists are one thing but ones for children's parties is crazy! Keep up the good work in bringing you balanced and common sense posts to us. I love them!
I love this! And totally agree! My daughter is 3 so we’ve done 3 different birthdays. The first was Harry Potter themed. Probably the “biggest” we’ve celebrated (but let’s be honest, it was also a “we survived one year” party for us parents). But I honestly think my daughter’s fav birthday celebration so far was of her aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins squeezing in our Frozen decorated living room for pizza and a homemade cake from her godmother. She still talks about it.
My mom would always put no gifts but if you would like to give, please bring hygiene products - which we would put together and donate to a women’s shelter. We didn’t have lavish birthday parties but they were always fun and it taught me so much about generosity!
love this, your a good mom when my kids were little we took them out for pizza and there favorite movie got them a couple toys maybe go to park let them play they were happy,
Kids won’t remember the friend of their parents who bought them the cool new Furbie (idk what kids are into these days besides YouTube?) but they WILL remember the unhinged family friend who convenes all the children into one Sound of Music style single file line and leads them to the Llama enclosure to do an impromptu concert.
My mom knows that I really like you and that you saved my life, my birthday is in September and my mom was already talking about it when she said to me "you really like Claire why don't you invite her? She's always welcome" and I was like "I wish but she's famous😭😭 and we live in Europe, she doesnt" she laughed and said that one day my dream could come true about meeting you
Claire, this is so beautifully said. I just wanted to say that I totally agree with you, not giving gifts doesn’t mean someone is selfish or less loving. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is presence, not presents. I grew up with parents who couldn’t throw big parties or give lots of gifts, not because they didn’t care, but because they simply didn’t have much. And still, I was never sad. Those simple moments, the effort they put into making me smile, the love they gave me, meant more than anything that could be wrapped in paper. Your words reminded me that joy doesn’t need to be bought. It can come from a shared laugh, a homemade cake, or just dancing in the kitchen together. Thank you for writing this, it made me feel seen. I’m 16 now, and reading this made me even more grateful for the little things my parents did. You’re absolutely right: love isn’t stuff. 💛
Wow sounds like you have incredible parents. I love this.
I love u🥹💕
Very well said! I also can't believe that there are people/parents spoiling their kids with millions on millions of gifts like they are the most important thing in the whole wide world. It's just so frustrating.
Personally, I've never had a birthday party, not a big one, not a small and not even an ordinary one. All of my June 11th over the last 20 years were spent without nothing or only a cake. Maybe that's because I don't like to throw parties or maybe because I have just a pair of friends. Other than that, my gifts were always only 50 euros from my parents and a couple of uncles and grandpas.
And I'll tell you more, I was mesmerized! Despite the final sum being low I never complained about it, never had a proper gift or never had someone giving me thousands of money (I wish, lol). Everyday I remember about all of the kids out there without nothing, particularly in Africa, Asia and Latin America. My heart breaks knowing they get just a pen or a puzzle or a t-shirt once a year. Yet parents have the audacity to complain about gifts when they give their children BIG parties and stuff??? I can't understand them, I won't talk for others because it's not my desire, but If I'll have a kid one day, I am def gonna give them a little present or when they grow a bill, that's all I can offer.
I grew with little presents as a kid, not so expensive, just a regular toy from my family. As I became older, toys were turned into a bill of 50 euros and nothing less, but not even something more. And with those bills I was buying myself Taylor Swift's cds, Concert tickets and it was enough for me.
I love the way you think, I expected nothing less from a person that I've been following costantly for the last 10 years. Love when you share your thoughts to discuss them with us!
Also I'm deeply sorry if my english isn't phenomenal lol
Sending Love from Italy,
L
Thank you for sharing this wonderful sentiment. Couldn’t agree more. My son just turned two and we’re having a party on Sunday and this is just so perfectly timed. I’ve had so many questions about what to get him and my response is always, he has everything he needs.
So well said. I’ve seen some social media influencers who have rooms stuffed and stuffed with an entire toy store full of things, way more than two kids could ever dream of. To be fair, they receive lots of free items from companies who want to be featured but they also then hit the stores/second shops weekly and buy their kids things. They even took them shopping literally days before the child’s birthday party. I remember as a child of the 1980’s I had so ‘many’ toys they fit into a single toy box. I spent most of my time playing outside with just a few things and my imagination. While my own kids (now adults) grew up more privileged than I did, I hope I kept the same principles my parents taught me; less is more.
Same!!! I always went outside to play, collect rocks and different trinkets. I was born in 1994 and we didn’t have a lot growing up. But I was thrilled when I got a new doll, some new clothes (that I needed cause I’d worn out my others or grew out of them). Kids nowadays are being taught over consumption and it’s sad. Less is more!
Very well said Claire! People raise kids like that end up with entitled teenagers with attitudes and do not know how to work for anything. Then they grow up and go to college or maybe a trade school and learn nothing is given to them. They have to work for everything they want. They have trouble dealing with life that hits them in the face.
Hi Claire, as usual you have written a post full of common sense. I was shocked to read that parents have a birthday wishlist for their children's parties! Wedding present lists are one thing but ones for children's parties is crazy! Keep up the good work in bringing you balanced and common sense posts to us. I love them!
I love this! And totally agree! My daughter is 3 so we’ve done 3 different birthdays. The first was Harry Potter themed. Probably the “biggest” we’ve celebrated (but let’s be honest, it was also a “we survived one year” party for us parents). But I honestly think my daughter’s fav birthday celebration so far was of her aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins squeezing in our Frozen decorated living room for pizza and a homemade cake from her godmother. She still talks about it.
My mom would always put no gifts but if you would like to give, please bring hygiene products - which we would put together and donate to a women’s shelter. We didn’t have lavish birthday parties but they were always fun and it taught me so much about generosity!
love this idea!!
I love your mom for this!!! 🫶🏻❤️
Claire Holt u r hereby officially invited to my birthday party
You gotta sing everyone happy birthday. U said u would. No backsies. Double dare.
love this, your a good mom when my kids were little we took them out for pizza and there favorite movie got them a couple toys maybe go to park let them play they were happy,
Kids won’t remember the friend of their parents who bought them the cool new Furbie (idk what kids are into these days besides YouTube?) but they WILL remember the unhinged family friend who convenes all the children into one Sound of Music style single file line and leads them to the Llama enclosure to do an impromptu concert.
Just saying.
My childhood memories are the things I cherish most.
🎯
Absolutely adore your take on this!
I love this idea
Very well said.
My mom knows that I really like you and that you saved my life, my birthday is in September and my mom was already talking about it when she said to me "you really like Claire why don't you invite her? She's always welcome" and I was like "I wish but she's famous😭😭 and we live in Europe, she doesnt" she laughed and said that one day my dream could come true about meeting you
I hope I can meet you someday too
Awww i love you sooo much Claire, you have no idea, you saved my life🥹💕