Are you looking for a way to let your guests know that gifts are optional on an invitation?
Perhaps you’re worried that “gifts are optional” sounds too rude, and you don’t want to offend anyone.
Well, that’s what we’re here for!
This article will explore some alternatives to show you the correct wording for how to say gifts are optional on an invitation.
Is It Polite to Say “Gifts Are Optional”?
It is polite to say “gifts are optional.” When you’re inviting people to an event, there’s nothing wrong with letting them know that you don’t expect gifts from them.
After all, it’s your event. So, you should be in charge of what is and isn’t expected.
It’s not rude to ask for gifts to be optional. If anything, it’s a nice way to show guests that you’d prefer their company over any material gifts they might share.
This invitation sample will show you how to politely say gifts are optional:
Dear Guests,
Please understand that gifts are optional at our baby shower. We simply want you to come along and celebrate with us.
Best regards,
Sharon and Mark Tate
Pros
- It’s polite and respectful.
- It works well in formal and informal invitations.
Cons
- It’s quite bland.
- It’s repetitive, as there are plenty of more interesting ways to say it.
It’s clear that “gifts are optional” is polite and acceptable in an invitation now. However, that doesn’t mean you should only stick to using it in your writing.
So, read on to learn a polite way to say gifts are optional. We’ve covered some great synonyms to show you what options you have.
What to Say Instead of “Gifts Are Optional”
- Your presence is the most treasured gift
- Your company is all that we desire
- Gifts are not required but appreciated
- No presents are required, just your presence
- We do not expect gifts
- It’s up to you if you’d like to bring gifts
- The pleasure of your company is gift enough
- We are not asking for gifts
- Do not feel obliged to bring a gift
1. Your Presence Is the Most Treasured Gift
If you’re looking for something positive to include in an invitation, try “your presence is the most treasured gift.”
Sure, it’s a bit cheesy, but it’s a lovely way to invite your friends to an event.
For instance, you can use it when sending out wedding invitations. After all, a wedding is one of the most special days in someone’s life.
So, including friends you care about without them having to worry about gifts can only make the day even more special!
Feel free to refer to this example as well:
Dear Esteemed Guest,
Your presence is the most treasured gift. We hope you can attend our wedding, and we can’t wait to see you there.
All the best,
Joe and Suzanne
2. Your Company Is All That We Desire
You can also use “your company is all that we desire” as a synonym for “gifts are optional.”
Instead of directly talking about gifts, you can simply say that you’re happy for your guests to attend empty-handed.
This ensures that people don’t put the stress on themselves to try and pick you a gift. It keeps things calmer and more genuine when inviting people you care about to your party.
Here is a great invitation sample to show you how it works:
Dear All,
Your company is all that we desire during our party. Please don’t fret about giving us any gifts.
Best wishes,
Joel Dommett
3. Gifts Are Not Required but Appreciated
You can also try “gifts are not required but appreciated” when letting guests know that you don’t expect anything.
It shows that you’re happy not to receive gifts. But it also leaves things open-ended for the guest to make the final decision.
So, if the guest is dead-set on buying you a gift, they can do so. There are no laws against it, and they might just want to buy you something to make themselves and you feel better.
Also, you can check out this sample to learn more about how to use it:
Dear Guest,
Gifts are not required but appreciated. If you feel so inclined, you can leave them at the entry hall.
All the best,
Marge and Mathew Stevens
4. No Presents Are Required, Just Your Presence
For a funny way to say gifts are optional, try “no presents are required, just your presence.”
Using “presents” and “presence” is a fun way to engage the reader. It shows you care more about someone’s attendance than about the gifts they do or do not bring.
So, try it when you want to be as friendly and welcoming as possible. You can’t go wrong with it, and it’s bound to put a smile on your guests’ faces.
Here’s a great invitation example to show you how it works:
Dear Friends,
No presents are required, just your presence. We hope you like a little play on words there, and we hope to see you soon!
Lots of love,
Carl Frey
5. We Do Not Expect Gifts
If you’re hosting a kids’ birthday party, most of the time, people expect to bring them gifts. However, you can always choose not to let guests bring any gifts.
So, a phrase like “we do not expect gifts” works well when hosting a birthday party for a kid (or yourself).
It takes the stress out of gift-giving. Instead, it shows that you’d prefer to have someone’s company than their gift.
Feel free to refer to this example if you still need help understanding it:
Dear Guests,
We would like to welcome you to our kids’ birthday party. We do not expect gifts, as our kids are happy just having fun with each other.
Best regards,
Greg Jones
6. It’s Up to You if You’d Like to Bring Gifts
You can also use “it’s up to you if you’d like to bring gifts” as a synonym for “gifts are optional.”
This way, the attendee has the power. They can make the decision as to whether they will bring a gift, but it’s already been made clear that you don’t expect it.
You can use this when sending out wedding invitations. After all, you might just want your closest friends and family to attend without worrying about gifts.
We also recommend reviewing the following example:
Dear Loved One,
We hope to see you attend our wedding. It’s up to you if you’d like to bring gifts, but we aren’t asking for anything specific.
Yours,
Kylie and Rex Gear
7. The Pleasure of Your Company Is Gift Enough
Let’s say you’re hosting a baby shower. A phrase like “the pleasure of your company is gift enough” is a kind and genuine way to invite people to celebrate with you.
Generally, this works well when you’re more touched by people’s company than by their gifts.
So, try using it when inviting people you care deeply about. It lets them know that you don’t need anything besides their company to make the event worthwhile.
Check out this example if you still need help understanding how it works:
Dear All,
The pleasure of your company is gift enough during our baby shower. So, please don’t feel obliged to bring a gift.
Thank you so much,
Scott and Martina
8. We Are Not Asking for Gifts
It’s also a good idea to be direct and honest when saying “gifts are optional.” That’s where “we are not asking for gifts” comes in as a synonym.
Try using it when contacting friends before an event. It shows that you’re reaching out to let them know that you’d rather just have their company as your party than any specific gifts.
You should refer to this example if you still need help with it:
Dear Special Guest,
We are not asking for gifts before this event. We simply would appreciate your company above all else.
Yours,
Hugh Bradshaw
9. Do Not Feel Obliged to Bring a Gift
Finally, you can use “do not feel obliged to bring a gift” instead of “gifts are optional.”
It shows you how to politely say gifts are optional when inviting friends or loved ones to an event.
For instance, you can say this in a wedding invitation. Most of the time, guests expect you to ask for gifts, as gift-giving is a traditional part of a wedding.
However, if you want to let them know that you expect no gifts, this phrase works well.
If the attendee still wants to give you one, that’s up to them. Using this makes it clear that you don’t expect anything.
Check out this invitation sample to learn more about it:
Dear Guest,
We would like to humbly invite you to our wedding. We’re excited to see you there for our big day. Do not feel obliged to bring a gift.
Best wishes,
Clara and George Bennett