We all know that some parents can be… well, let’s say a little pushy, shall we?

But this demanding mum and dad have taken things to stomach-churning new levels.

To celebrate their precious little boy’s first birthday, they decided to send out an email listing the gifts that they wanted people to buy gifts from their approved list.

The four options provided, however, are all large and expensive.

Worse still? Recipients of the email have been warned, in no uncertain terms, that deviating from the list will require a receipt so that it can be promptly returned.

Obviously this letter was not intended to leak online - but one person, clearly deciding they’d had enough, decided to post the whole thing up on Reddit.

They captioned it simply: "Most demanding 1st birthday invite ever".

The full text of the email reads as follows:

"With [retracted]'s birthday coming up, we thought we'd ask for 4 items that he will really get a lot of use out of in the coming months. I provided my mom and sister-in-law [retracted] with a list of 4 other items that [retracted] would like for his birthday so that they can buy from their list and avoid duplication.

"We're asking for gifts only from grandparents and the direct aunt/uncle for [retracted]'s birthday party, and similar to Christmas, would like to restrict it to 2 items total per household.

"[Retracted]'s birthday list for the [retracted] side of the family is:

- Water Table (specifically this unit because of how it drains): [html link to product]

- Play Tunnel [html link to product]

- Play Tent: [html link to product]

- Fill in the Missing Cheerios book: [html link to product]

"If you are unable to get these items, please let us know so we can buy them right away for him.

"A few other important items:

- If you choose to get [retracted] something that isn't on this list, anytime regardless of birthdays or holidays, please be sure to always include a receipt going forward. When we return items without receipts, we only get about 50% of the value, so it's like throwing away money if you don't include a receipt with the gifts. With formula costing us $80 a week, it is always nice to be able to return items that he doesn't need to get formula instead.

- We would suggest no more books beyond the one Cheerios cited above. Right now, [retracted] has 32 board books on his shelf, and 25 additional books waiting for him in storage once he is 3+ years of age. (And at this point, he hates when we try reading to him.)

- Please refrain from any personalized gifts that would be used outside of the house. Clothing with names is the #1 thing that leads to kidnapping, so we don't need to broadcast [retracted]'s name on clothing or toys. ([Retracted] is getting a personalized gift from the [retracted]'s, but it will only be used inside the house.)*

"Please let us know if you have any questions about any items not on this list that you are considering purchasing and we can let you know if we already have it or if it is in storage waiting for him.

"By the way, a formal invite from [retracted] will be arriving in your mailboxes soon...

"[Retracted] & [retracted]"

Good grief - who knew that personalised clothes were one of the main contributing factors to kidnapping, eh?

Naturally, the world has imploded after reading the letter - with plenty offering their own suggestions as to how it should have been written.

One commented: “My best friend sent out invites for her son's first birthday. Know what it said? ‘He's one, so he doesn't give a s**t about gifts, but if you really want to get him one, he likes stuff he can throw and stuff he can make noise with.’”

Another said: “My friends said they didn't want any gifts at their second son's first birthday. They already have a three year old with heaps of toys, a shelf stuffed with books. They said if you felt the need to bring anything they are always in need of wipes. Super easy, super reasonable. This isn't hard, people!”

But our favourite suggestion by FAR was this one: “He's 1, for Chrissake. Give him a f**king sock.

"He'll laugh and throw it on the floor and you can pick it up and give it back to him and he'll throw it back on the f**king floor. You can play floor-sock for months and never have to shell out a dime.”

What would you do if you received an invitation like this? Let us know via the comments box below now.