Rather than ask for presents, one mum has set up a JustGiving page for her son's birthday.
Paramita Sarkar is planning a party for her son Adi's 10th birthday and is asking those who are invited to throw in a bit of cash rather than getting him a present.
Her reasoning is that, every year little Adi is showered with loads of toys and presents, but that they are all forgotten about in a few months.
With a suggested donation of £15 per kid, Paramita reckons that Adi will be able to buy himself something special that he will actually use, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Credit: Manchester Evening News
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Adi and his folks are planning on inviting around 20 of his pals to his party, meaning if they all cough up the suggested £15 he'll have £300 to get himself something he really wants. Although the mum-of-one added that she has no set target in mind and has set a 'humble' one of just £50, but has already raised £90 after donations from some friends and family who attended a little party for Adi earlier this month.
Paramita, who is taking Adi to Disney World in Florida next week as his birthday present from her and his dad, told the paper: "There is no party without presents but afterwards we are left with boxes of Lego every year which stop getting played with.
"They get piled up in boxes and we run out of space to store all the board games - sometimes duplicate ones.
Credit: Manchester Evening News
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"So, I have set up this JustGiving page where I would request mums to contribute - not donate - instead of buying presents.
"I can then buy something that my boy would actually appreciate and treasure over a long period of time. This is simply to reduce the clutter and buy something really useful."
Her and her husband moved to Manchester from Indian in 2005, now the mum, who works as an accountant, is hoping to gauge people's reactions to her idea to see if it's viewed as 'acceptable' by other parents.
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She said: "Friends have said it's a good idea so I set up the link, but I'm apprehensive about circulating it at school as I don't want to feel judged.
"I'm hoping they'll be positive when they see it and take it up.
"If everybody contributed say £15 a time, there'll be 20 people and Adi can actually buy something really nice."
She's explained to Adi that he won't have presents to open on his birthday and says he is 'cool with the idea' adding that he 'keeps asking how much collections have been made'.
Is it just me who thinks this is a pretty good idea? Most the parents will be spending about £15 on a toy anyway, surely? Also, as someone who's rubbish at choosing gifts for people, I'd much rather people did this. I think she's on to something.
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Source: Manchester Evening News
Featured Image Credit: MENTopics: Parenting