Is this a new thing for baby showers?

[KiKi Mouse]

I think it is thoughtful of guests too. There's no pressure to buy expensive items or clothes that will never get worn.

Gift cards are awesome too. I found that we were always running out for something. It's a time of your life when your spending increases quickly and having a gift card helps out a bit

With our last one I had some serious feeding issues and had to supplement with formula and at $35/can it added up. I was going to the store and hitting $100 easy in formula, diapers, wipes.

 

[DizBelle]

I don't mind a themed shower. There is a difference between saying "We're having a Kitchen shower for Jody!" and saying "Kitchen gifts only, please. We're registered at Target." The first is a hint, the second is an order. Even in a shower invitation it is rude to mention gifts. The duty of selecting a gift is the job of the giver, not the receiver. Weddings are the worst for this.

I know I'm fussier about this than others, but you invite people to events not the gifts you feel you having coming your way. I really do decline any invitation with gift instructions including registry information or any kind of money only directive (presentation, no boxed gifts, a "cute" poem, etc.).

Wouldn't you prefer to know that what you gave was going to be used by the recipient rather than put on the first charity truck to come by?

I prefer they tell us what they would like for gifts (themed parties or registries). It makes it so much easier to find a gift that will be used. Just because there is something that I like and I want doesn't mean the new mom or bride would like it or want it.

But, I suppose if you're ok with the recipent never using the gift and putting it in the donate pile, then go ahead and get what you want rather than what they want or can use.

 

[KiKi Mouse]

Wouldn't you prefer to know that what you gave was going to be used by the recipient rather than put on the first charity truck to come by?

I prefer they tell us what they would like for gifts (themed parties or registries). It makes it so much easier to find a gift that will be used. Just because there is something that I like and I want doesn't mean the new mom or bride would like it or want it.

But, I suppose if you're ok with the recipent never using the gift and putting it in the donate pile, then go ahead and get what you want rather than what they want or can use.

ITA and this is coming from a person who is expecting baby#3 any day now. We just went through stuff from DD#1 & DD#2 and there was new stuff and clothes with tags that went for donation. Clothes were things I would never pick due to material content or the fit or the season. All the new stuff that was donated was from gifts. I've never registered for a baby shower and I certainly wouldn't with baby #3 but if I am buying I would prefer to get something that will be used even if it is a gift card.

 

[DizBelle]

It seems that if you give a gift that YOU want to give regardless of what the recipient wants or needs, then you are giving the gift for yourself rather than for the benefit or welfare of the recipient.

You might get lucky and give a gift that they want and need - but it was just luck.

 

[KiKi Mouse]

Frozen dinners...I wish people had given us some food! LOL I remember being amazed and overwhelmed by how much work a baby could be, and how tired I was, even tho at the end of the day I'd wonder "What did I DO today??"

Good luck to the new mom!

I have asked family to cook meals for us and freeze them. We filled our freezer the last time around with home made food and it sure was handy!

I have asked for a baby "birthday party" this time around. Just family. Cake and balloons and party foods to welcome our new arrival. This is more for our other two girls to enjoy No gifts needed.