No Gifts Please Wording: How To Ask Politely

No gifts please wording

Asking for no gifts is easy to get wrong: too blunt and it reads as a rule, too coy and half your guests will bring something anyway.

The wording that works gives a reason and offers an alternative - your company, a charity, or a line in the card.

Cards for guests who want to mark the day

The one thing worth asking for when you have asked for nothing else.

You Old Bastard (Funny Birthday Card) You Old Bastard (Funny Birthday Card) £3.87 Cheeky Wordsearch Valentines Day Card For Him Cheeky Wordsearch Valentines Day Card For Him £3.87 Cheeky Wordsearch Valentines Day Card For Her Cheeky Wordsearch Valentines Day Card For Her £3.87 I Wish You Looked At Me Like Any Can of Diet Coke Ever (Valentines Day Card) I Wish You Looked At Me Like Any Can of Diet Coke Ever (Valentines Day Card) £3.87 I Wish You Looked At Me Like Any Can of Strongbow Dark Fruits Ever (Valentines Day Card) I Wish You Looked At Me Like Any Can of Strongbow Dark Fruits Ever (Valentines Day Card) £3.87 Happy Valentines Day, Bab (Valentines Day Card) Happy Valentines Day, Bab (Valentines Day Card) £3.87

Browse cards

Birthdays and parties

  • Your company is the present - please don't bring anything else.
  • No gifts please, just yourselves and your dancing shoes.
  • We have far too much stuff already - please save your money and come thirsty.
  • Presence, not presents.
  • No gifts, but we'd love a card with a memory of us in it.

Milestone birthdays

  • At 70 I have everything I need. Please don't bring gifts - just come.
  • No presents please. If you'd like to mark the day, a donation to [charity] would mean a great deal.
  • Kind thoughts only, no parcels.

Weddings

  • Your presence on the day is the only gift we need.
  • We've lived together for years and have all the toasters we can use - please don't feel you need to bring a gift.
  • No gifts, please. If you would like to give something, we're collecting for [charity].

Christenings and new babies

  • We have everything the baby needs - please just come and meet her.
  • No gifts please. A card for the memory box would be lovely.

Funerals and memorials

  • Family flowers only, please. Donations if desired to [charity].
  • No flowers, please - donations in [name]'s memory to [charity] would be welcomed.

When guests bring something anyway

  • Accept it warmly and open it later - never make a point of the request.
  • Thank them properly afterwards, in writing, as you would any gift.
  • Do not put unopened gifts on display if others followed the request.

Browse cards

How to write it so it lands

  • Say it once, on the invitation. Repeating it in the group chat makes it feel like a rule.
  • Always offer somewhere for generosity to go - a charity, a memory book, or just a card.

Where to shop next

Frequently asked questions

Is it rude to say no gifts on an invitation?

No, as long as you keep it warm and brief. One short line near the end of the invitation is enough - and give guests an alternative such as a card or a charity donation.

Where do you put no gifts wording on an invitation?

At the bottom, after the practical details, in smaller text or in brackets. It should read as a note rather than a condition of attending.

What if someone brings a gift anyway?

Take it gratefully, set it aside, and thank them properly later. Never remind them of the request.

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