Opininon on engagement parties.

Personally... and this is just my opinion. I think telling people not to bring gifts to an engagement party is just as tacky as expecting them. I had my e party 3 months after being engaged. Friends and family had already sent or gave gifts. Because they truly wanted to. Not because it was expected! If people want to show their happiness of an engaement by giving a gift ...well that is very generous...to tell people not to, TO ME is rude.

Last year when my friend got engaged i immediately went out an got her a gift, at her e party i gave nothing. If she would have sent a invite saying no gifts i would have felt stupid.

I say have an e party if you want to celebrate your engagement. To have people meet and get to know each other. Gifts should be at the attendee's discretion.

Sorry i know this is not a popular opinion but it is mine

My FI would love to read this thread...
We're not having an e-party. we got engaged in July and we won't be home on LI until the holidays. The only reason why we would have one is to get everyone together, but since its the holidays, we'll see everyone anyway. We don't want people feeling like they have to get us gifts because its just not necessary (let alone its the holidays and people are spending like crazy).
I still haven't registered and I don't even know when we will. No offense to the people who have, but IMO its tacky. We'll probably register before the shower and wedding because people will be asking, but there is no reason for us to register now. What would we do with all the stuff now anyway?! I feel funny asking for things, but I guess its the norm now.
So to make a long story short, e-parties are great to get people together and celebrate, but not to get gifts. there are pleanty of other occasions like the shower and wedding for that. JMO!!!

My friends and I call them 'extortion parties'

BUT - I do understand that in some situations they are a good idea, like if families have never met.