Not-a-housewarming-party Invitation Wording?

Could you clarify something? Is there going to be an actual gathering of people for a cellebration, or are you wanting people to just drop off presents at a certain time or day?

If it's the former, I would say "Let's congratulate the new family". If it's the latter, then I think it's kind of in poor taste. Unless she is only sending invitations to family members. And even then, borderline.

So she is asking for donations? I mean if she says gifts, that is like asking for baby shower gifts but not having the baby shower, most would find that kind of situation to be rather rude. If they are not having a party I would not call them house warming gifts, but maybe say "we are seeking donations".

Will the young couple be in attendance? It is at their place?

Or is your mother just soliciting gifts for them?

I find this kinda' weird - it sounds rather mercenary to ask people to bring gifts only a certain day, without there being an actual event.

Your line "They won't be able to have an actual party, but they want to have everyone drop all the gifts off on a certain day" really seems like this is just "Give Me" situation.

Donations may be a better term for you mother to use - at least it would appeal to peoples sense of charity and not seem so crass.

A New Beginnings Celebration?

I like the open house idea. However, people may still be expecting refreshments and so forth.

Really sounds like your mom is basically just asking for donations for the couple so I would probably word it as such.

Congratulations to ....... on their new marriage, baby (girl or boy whichever they had) and home. Gifts and donations are being accepted on (date) at (address).

Good luck and Congrats to the new couple.

It seems odd to me to give a gift but not have a gathering of people ... that would make me feel like I was only good for giving a gift and my company was not appreciated. I am sure that is NOT the point of the gathering, but that is the feeling I get from it, just a heads up for the potential of hurt feelings. I also like the idea of an open house type event ... you can have a small buffet of fruits/veggies/chips/cookies (things that will not spoil quickly) some juice drinks, water & soda. You can welcome the person open the gift infront of them give them a quick snack, quick chat and have times staggered for showing up so not everyone shows up at once. I am just afraid that feelings are going to be hurt and people may feel used if a bit more of an effort for a gathering is not done. I wish you all luck with this event.

Maybe...'Help start a new life, in more ways than one'...
then maybe some kind of wording about...'we've arranged a drop off time for your generous contribution at such and such location and time'?

~I am sure you will get some great ideas on here, some of us moms are amazingly creative when it comes to this stuff!

Too bad it wasn't a surprise? The not having a party part and just expecting to receive gifts is kind of weird?

I would get blank invitations and put all of the things down on it like we just had a baby, moved, and got married. Help us celebrate our good fortune. Date, time and place.

It would be nice if the couple registered at several local stores. They would be able to pick out all of the things they liked and people could also get them gift certificate to these stores.

It would be a nice gesture to have some kind of light food or cake or punch or something like that otherwise your mom should just tell people about this couple and how she would like any help for them from others. If the people she knows don't know the couple that may be the best way to go.

Congratulations to you all. It is definitely an exciting time.

How about a New Family Open House?

Maybe your mother can host a party from her place? It might be kind of confusing to tell people to get gifts for someone that just got married, had a baby, and moved into an apartment, and only take the gifts over on a certain day, but it's not a party...

I'd call it an Open House OR a Blatant Asking For Gifts party ;)

My personal opinion is that the idea of coordinating a gift drop off (expecting people to bring them gifts, but not stay and visit as if the time spent with the people is important too) is totally tacky. Find a place, and host a simple party. Call is a New Chapter Celebration, or just a "Getting Started Shower." The big message being sent to people who would be the gift-dropper-offers is that only the gifts are important...spending time with the gift-givers isn't. That's a rude message to send people you're hoping will want to bless this couple with gifts. There's nothing to call that type of arrangement because it's not a a real party...and in my opinion, not at all a good idea. If it's really all about the gifts....then figure out what kind of thing they need, and make that kind of thing the theme for the party, or hold a humorous fundsraiser for them....but if you're going to even TRY to pass it off as a party of any kind, then someone needs to step up and host it as a real party....even if just a simple backyard bbq. Best wishes!

I might call it a CELEBRATION of The (blank) Family.
Say something like you are Celebrating the eventful year that has bonded the 3 of them together. A new home, a wedding and a birth of a child. Let's give them one more special event this year. Join us for food, drinks and feel free to bring a little token for the guests of honor….

Is part of the problem of not having a party due to not having a space to hold it? What about a park?

Do they need more items for baby or for the house? If for the house, call it a house-warming party OPEN HOUSE. If it is at their apartment, people will get the idea that it is a small place and not camp out too long. And why not call it a home warming party if you think "house" is too much? They should register at a department store and put baby items on it as well if they need them.

What about "Meet Baby X" if they need items for the baby?

Some type of "party" should be done if you want people to show support with gifts/money. It can be done very low key and inexpensively. People who know them (they ones who are being invited) will get it if there isn't a full-on expensive party thrown, but will feel respected if there is an attempt to provide refreshments.

Did they not get a baby shower, bridal shower, or wedding gifts? Do they not have a large enough family and friend support system? They deserve a party if they haven't had any of the above (even if everyone doesn't agree with the wedding/baby/living situation). That's my opinion, anyway. :)

Best of luck to you and your mom. More people need to support young couples who are TRYING to make it!

It sounds to me that these guys need the help because their life suddenly started moving faster than they are financially ready for. It happens and it is great that this group your mom is in/with wants to help out. I am assuming that everyone that they are wanting to issue the invitation to knows and understands and care about these people to want to help out. In my opinion there should be no invitation, because you are helping out a family in need. Instead I would do it all by word of mouth. It isn't like they are asking strangers for help. Best wishes to the couple adn I hope that they get stuff that they need and I am glad that someone is stepping up to help them get on the right foot.

Call it an "Open House."

I know I am a little late on this but call it a blessing day or if they are Christians and Agape (gods love) day.

I don't think it's a silly question.... the arranging to bring gifts is a little odd, though. I also like the Open House idea... we're having an open house to celebrate the new ____ family - __(Mom) __ (Dad) and ___(Baby/newest addition) [in their new apartment?]... please stop by for a little bit anytime between ___ (2?) and ___ (4?) with your congratulations/well wishes...
I think a lot of people will bring a gift and there may be some people who would actually prefer to gift and go but I think most will want/expect to spend time with mom/dad and the new baby. I would have drinks and a few small, easy snacks.
Hope this helps!

I would just call it an "open house".

I would still call it a shower. However, I think it is inappropiate to ask people to give gifts without an actual party or event. It is really a solicitation for gifts and money. I guess you could call it an open house - but people will expect some kind of party/refreshments.