is it mandatory to bring gifts when you are invited?

aha if the kid's parents are really close to me, i usually do not bother to bring gifts; i would just give a red envelop with a small amount in it. usually most chineses do this instead of giving or buying gifts they provide money as gifts instead. =)

I understand how you felt at that time katrinapaz. You shouldn't be ashamed of it because for your friend it is really your presence that matters. If you were able to bring gift on that occasion, then it's okay but if not, it is still all right with her. In my case, it really doesn't matter if my friends were not able to bring gift on my birthday because the time they spent with me on my special day is more than a gift they could offer.

Its not mandatory to bring gifts when you are invited for a function. People dont invite others for functions with the aim of getting gifts. Sometimes mere presence is better than a gift.

i think guests are welcomed to parties especially in small children party is for getting their blessings. So i think it is not mandatory to give such type of gifts on those occasions.But now a days it has become prestigious issue.

I think culture comes from the occident when the kings went to see Jesus Christ with gifts,but don't feel sorry you still have time to buy a gift for the kid.

I don't think it's mandatory to give a gift. It's actually just up to the person to decide if he/she wants to buy one or not. Whenever I go to parties, I try my best to buy something, even just a little gift for the celebrant.

I don't believe that it is mandatory to bring a gift when invited to a baptism. It is a courteous gesture that is yours to make. It should be something willing from your heart. You should not think of it as an obligation.

It depends on the occassion, if its a children party, then I make sure I brought some because I don't want the birthday celebrant to be disappointed. But if it is a 50th Wedding Anniversary, gifts does not matters to the couple. What would they want it for anyway? Most of them are established and had invested a lot. With baptism, I prefer to give cash because of the high cost of expenses for babies. Or maybe try to give diapers or baby needs. If you forgot to bring something, then you could give an extra this Christmas.

As has been said previously. Invitations to any celebration I would normally expect to take a gift no matter how small. If you can't manage anything you would be happy to take then just have a word with the host previous to the party to let them know that you can't manage a gift at presant. You will usually find that they would rather have you there than any present you might have given. If they don't want you to come without a present you will soon find out. In your case now that the parties over, if nothing was said don't give it another thought.

Hello. If I were you, I would have felt the same way as you did. It is all a matter of custom & sentiments. Certain customs have come to be accepted & practiced. So some one who is spotted as an odd man out is made to feel he/she did not care or is miserly. Although it may have been totally unintentional. It is a world of make-believe you see. You are not only sincere but you appear to be so. The best thing to do at that moment is to express your genuine sentiments and also try to make a point that you feel sorry you had reach empty handed as you had to rush. Whether or not it convinces anybody but it makes your mind lighter. You may make amends on a subsequent occasion.

It is not mandatory to bring gifts when invited but yes it is a way to give your compliments. And although it is not a mandate but you are expected to come with a with a gift.

It's not mandatory. You could always give gifts for that person at another time. You are invited not to get a gift out of you but for you to be there for their family. ^^

Surely not, but the one that bares gifts usually is more appreciated and further welcomed! For a baptism celebration, I would probably purchase a card but I'm not too sure there is a specific gift that appropriates the event. Maybe some money in the card would be beneficial to the subject! If everyone else brings gifts, it's probably best that you follow the trend because if not, your the odd one out, and no one likes to be the odd one out!

if were you, i will bring a gift. Its better to have gift because they will respect you.. Its up to you.

I wouldn't say it is mandatory but it is usually part of the celebration. I had to skip a baby shower I was invited to a few weeks ago because I had absolutely no money to spare to buy a gift. I felt bad for not going but really it's all about showering the baby with gifts so I couldn't really go without a gift. It shouldn't be like that but unfortunately it is.

I was always raised that you would bring a gift. So I can understand how you might have felt that way. I think though in this day and age with the economy the way it is it is not always possible. I think that the fact that you took your time and showed up to appreciate the fact they had a baby probably out weighs the gift thing. At least I hope that it would.

Hi Katrina, usually i will bring along a gift, whenever i get invited to join in any celebration. It is always better to give something to the organizer of any celebration, to avoid feeling ashamed. Don't worry, you don't have to buy any expensive thing as a gift. You can even make your own gift since it is much cheaper and easier. Trust me, thy will surely felt happy with it, too...

Hi katrinapaz, I think upon invitation it is necessary to bring along a gift or some sort of a presentation when we are attending functions like weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, engagement parties, dinner parties and so on. In my opinion, it really doesn't matter to people whether you are penniless, have a steady job or you are affordable enough to get a present. Some might not even invite us if they are aware of our poor financial condition. I have had that experience. So, do not take the chance and arrive without a gift. Just to prevent humiliation in case everyone else brought one.

I mean, a lot of people bring gifts to baptisms...But if you weren't aware of the fact that you should bring a gift, or even if you didn't have the money, it's really not a big deal. It should be a big deal to the family that you showed up in the first place. Your presence means more than any gift you could bring.

Take it from my experience, I celebrated my birthday just 2 months ago and I invited my friends to go to our place and celebrate with me (some of them has gifts and most don't have and I dont care but I am thankful to all of them). When I invited them , my intention was not to receive lots of gift, rather to have some quality time with my friends. With that said, I beleive that gifts are not mandatory, they are just bonus. What matters most is that you did not declined the invitation(which probably will offend the person who invite you if you decliened it) and you showed up with the intention of celebrating with them and to have a glimpse of the baby. I believe that's what matters most to the person who sent you the invite as well.