Is this a tacky thing to do at a baby shower?

[mefordis]

I think people calling her lazy is bashing her.

Denae

Maybe it's the friend who is lazy for not wanting to fill out the envelopes. In this case the mom to be (I don't think) knew what was going on until her friend brought her the envelopes and said, "Look, everyone filled out their own thank you card envelope"."

This is just how I see it. It's not something I'd want done at my shower. No problem that we disagree.

 

[meandtheguys2]

She didn't do anything -- she got the guests to do something for the mom to be! What she should have done if she wanted to relieve the mom to be from addressing the envelopes was do it herself. This was kind of a lazy kind of favor, and it gave an air of tackiness to the event.

She hosted the party, didn't she? I would think that she had probably done a lot. Of course, maybe it was a crappy party with no food, drinks, decorations, etc.

I guess if you want to see tacky, you can probably catch glimpses of it in many places...my question is "why do that to a friend?"

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Reminds me of filling out the form for the dentist for the 6 month check-up. This is tacky at a shower!!!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

It's the men. They play dumb..but really the whisper in our ears at night... "can you BELIEVE they had you address your own thank you note? And I bet she's going to BOTTLE FEED! You're not going to let her do that are you? And what about the sleeping arrangements...I bet she'll let that baby just cry it out! You better say something...but not to her, tell all your friends...." They figure if we're busy fighting with each other and passing judgement we'll be too busy to notice how useless they're being.

WELL SAID!!

 

[KelNottAt]

This was done at one of my bridal showers and one of my baby showers. (Same hostess each time, my aunt.) Aunty used the envelopes for random prize drawings in each case, which kinda made things a little fun for the guests. I guess.

I find it very tacky, but tried not to let it show at the parties. Instead, afterward, I used the addresses to double check the info I already had on file, then threw the envelopes away.

Once I knew I had the correct data, I hand-wrote my own envelopes. (And notes, of course.)

 

[Disney Doll]

I actually think it's a pretty good idea, especially if they add a little door prize if they pull your envelope out of the basket.

I don't have a problem making someone's life a little easier.

Of course, if I was the shower planner, I'd have had labels made up with the addresses of all the people who were invited, so all the MTB would have had to do was stick the label on the thank you.

But that's probably tacky too.

 

[Beth76]

I'd like to add that the real time consuming part is writing the actual note, so some time thrifty genius is going to have to come up with a clever way that the gift receiver can offload that work to the guests as well, then we're all set!

They have fill-in-the-blank thank you cards--at least for kids birthdays. They read something like this "Dear ____, Thank you for the _______. Your friend, ________" I wouldn't put it passed them to have the same for baby showers too.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I don't think it is tacky. In fact I would probably write on the envelope to not even bother sending a thank you card. The mom-to-be has enough to worry about.

I agree. There's enough for the mom to focus on - this just helps her finish one more thing before the baby comes.

Jen

 

[northcapemaymom]

Under normal circumstances I might consider self pre-printed envelopes tacky, but the one shower I attended with this practice, it made sense. The mother-to-be had a high risk pregnancy; it was later in her pregnancy; and it was a huge shower ( about 75+ people). I knew in this circumstance that anything to help the mom was much appreciated. Even though I wrote out the envelope, the thank you note itself was thoughtful and well-written. It's a practice I wouldn't encourage, but I wasn't the least bit offended by it.

 

[Pigeon]

I don't think anyone here gets offended by having to fill out their own thank you card envelope. I think some of us just find it tacky. There is a difference between finding something unclassy or tacky and being personally offended by it.

No one, that I've observed here, finds it offensive, I don't think. Just lacking class

Over here. I find it both offensive and tacky. In fact, the little nitwit at whose shower I encountered this behavior continued on with the trend by sending out only generic thank yous that didn't mention the gift, and sending out the most idiotic and offensive wedding invitations that I've ever seen. I didn't attend her wedding or send a gift.

 

[JulyGirl]

I would think it is ok for a baby shower, but not a bridal shower.

 

[vettechick99]

I would think it is ok for a baby shower, but not a bridal shower.

Definitely ok for a baby shower, even though I've never seen it done. I often tell new mothers to not send me a thank you note at all. I know they are thankful, they've already told me at the shower. I don't need them to spend time writing it down.

Now if I didn't go to the shower, I expect a note. But really just so I know they got the gift.

 

[va32h]

I think it's tacky, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

 

[Daxx]

I haven't read all the replies and I'm sure someone's made a similar comment already but here goes ...

if you managed to locate my address and managed to write it on the envelope that you sent the invitation in, then you can easily write it on another envelope that you'll be putting the thank you note into.

If you want to address the envelope w/a computer label that's fine w/me.

If I made the effort to buy a gift and come to your party (or send you a gift if I couldn't make the party) then you can make the effort to address the thank you note envelope.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I think it is tacky and I would find it rude as well. I know having a baby can be an adjustment for some but that doesn't mean everything else in your life stops. You still have to do all the same things as before. So I don't see why the MTB couldn't write out a few thank yous. Besides- isn't the shower held before the baby is even born? I don't mind if you use a label for the envelope but I shouldn't have to write it out for you. I took the time to get you something nice and come and celebrate. You can take 3 minutes to thank me without my having to make you do it. JMHO.

 

[snowy76]

I'll throw this scenario into the mix. What happens when a third party is involved? My mother and sister threw my shower. A third party (a guest, someone I worked with) showed up and passed out envelopes while everyone was noshing on snacks. Unbeknownst to me at the time, she was having them address envelopes and then presented me with the stack when it was time to open gifts. How do you prevent THAT situation? Meet guests at the door and pat them down for envelopes while you take their coats?

ETA: My DS was already a month old and was coming home in 4 days when I had my shower - I delivered at 30 weeks - so this guest told me she wanted me to worry about one less thing. I appreciated the intent but thought it was an odd thing to do, since I'd never seen it before.

 

[beckmrk04]

Everyone does this around here. I think it's a nice thing to do for mom-to-be!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

....................shoulda been a poll!!!!!!! !!!!!!................

 

[waltskids]

I think it's tacky.

 

[HOGFAN]

No