just a good and decent manner

I guess couple of chatters did not get what I am trying to say on the birthday gift.

1. You don’t need to buy a gift if they say “no gift” in the invitation. Of course, it is perfectly fine if you would like to buy a gift or make a card yourself together with your kids or call them and see what else you can do.
2. You show respects to the birthday kid and the parents by wrapping the gift nicely with a neat card of Happy Birthday no matter you make the gift yourself together with your kids or you buy it. It is just a good and decent manner, I guess.
3. I am always teasing when I am talking. Again you are more than welcome to my home even with a gift of less than $10. Please wrap it nicely. Believe me, I will be still very happy to see you at my home and make you feel at home even if you don’t do so. Thank you very much in advance.