A mother from Perth has sparked widespread debate after revealing her unique approach to children’s birthday gifts. In a viral video, the woman shared that instead of giving a traditional toy or gift, she brings a bag filled with cleaning supplies to birthday parties. The items included in the bag are rags, dishwashing detergent, tea towels, Glad Wrap, and other practical cleaning products.
In the video, she explained her reasoning, stating, “We’re going to a family birthday party, and the last thing I want to do is give the parents something that will end up in landfill and create clutter. So, I bring this bag of cleaning supplies as my gift.” The woman elaborated that she likes to bring cleaning rags to wipe up messes, Glad Wrap for storing leftover food, and dishwashing detergent in case the parents run out. She also mentioned tea towels, which are often hard to find at someone else’s house during a party.
Her video quickly went viral, and the reactions were mixed. Many viewers expressed their displeasure, calling the gesture offensive and inappropriate. One commenter wrote, “That’s actually embarrassing,” while another added, “If someone brought this to my house at my daughter’s birthday, I’d take offense. As if they think my house is gross.”
Some took a more sarcastic approach, with one remarking, “Wow, those kids are going to be thrilled,” and another calling her a “tight-ass.” Critics argued that a child’s birthday party should focus on spoiling the birthday child with gifts, not on practical items for the parents. “If you need a tea towel, just ask the host,” one commenter quipped.
However, the woman also received support from some viewers who appreciated the gesture. One person defended her, writing, “People choose money and gifts instead of help, time, and love. It’s sad how judgmental people are these days.” Another supporter commented, “You don’t always need to bring a present. Just showing up can be enough.” A third viewer, who identified as someone often overwhelmed by daily tasks, said they would love this type of gift, as “acts of service” were their love language.
To offer a more professional perspective on the debate, etiquette expert Jo Hayes weighed in. Initially, she thought the woman’s idea didn’t quite fit with standard birthday party etiquette, but after hearing her reasoning, Hayes appreciated the thought behind it. “If she had a child with her who was the main guest at the party, showing up with only cleaning supplies would be poor etiquette,” Hayes explained. “But it seems she might be an older family member, like an aunt or grandmother, and in that case, bringing something helpful instead of more toys could be a considerate gesture.”
Hayes also noted that families often end up with an abundance of plastic toys after birthday parties, and while the birthday child certainly deserves fun gifts, offering something practical like cleaning supplies can be valuable to the parents. “The real gift here isn’t the items themselves, but the assistance she would provide. She’s not just handing over cleaning supplies; she would be actively helping by cleaning up, washing dishes, and storing leftovers. That’s the kind of support that could make a big difference.”
In the end, Hayes expressed that she would welcome this type of guest at her own party. “I’d happily invite her to my next celebration,” she concluded.
