What would you do (shower gift related)

[mistysue]

Sorry I disappeared! I think my best way to handle it is going to mean scouring resale shops and clearance racks for a little bit. Not going means I miss out on seeing all my other family, which in the end no amount of discomfort is going to make me do.

I agree gift giving has gotten out of hand when now it's like people expect the world to fund all of their major life milestones.

I asked my mom to stop volunteering my things, I really want to find people to give things to who I feel need or really will appreciate them. I have a soft spot for people with years between their kids- I had to mostly start over with my second and it was a big deal... it seemed like there is always something else you need.

 

[pixiewings71]

When I was out of work my DBF had a co-worker who had a baby, they did a family shower and DBF and I were both invited. Since I was not working $$ was very tight, his co-worker told him we were not expected to bring a gift, she just wanted us both there to help her and her DH celebrate their baby. Well, we had about $20 free so we stopped at Target, we each picked a board book (he picked one he really liked as a kid and I picked one that my girls really liked as kids) and gave her some super cute baby socks and booties. We grabbed a .99 cent gift bag and used tissue paper we already had, got a .99 cent card and wrapped it up. They LOVED it!! It was one of their favorite gifts because we bought from the heart, it shouldn't matter how much you have or don't have, people should appreciate the gifts they receive. My point is, you can find a great gift for about $20, especially if you shop clearance racks, or even Dollar Stores.......you can find some amazing things at the Dollar Store!

Good luck, enjoy yourself, and don't over spend, it doesn't seem that this cousin is "worth" it.

 

[mkymouse1928]

Im jumping on the buy what you can afford bandwagon. I used to be a big extravagant giftgiver and if I didn't have the funds readily available, the purchase went right on the credit card.

Not anymore!

I lost my job about 2 yrs ago. I was fortunate that I found a new job relatively quickly, but at a much lower pay and 3x the commute. I suddenly found that making that credit card payment every month was difficult. Now, it's cash only and only my expendable cash, and sometimes that just isn't very much. I have gotten great a scouring the clearance racks and using coupons to buy nice gifts at low cost.

Recently, a close friend had a baby. I spent about $20 on her shower gift but to look at it you never would have known it. I bought nearly all the outfits at $1-2 a piece, and then purchased 4 board books from the dollar store. She loved the gift, and I felt great that I was able to help spoil her new little one on a shoe string budget!

 

[cel_disney]

Sorry I disappeared! I think my best way to handle it is going to mean scouring resale shops and clearance racks for a little bit. Not going means I miss out on seeing all my other family, which in the end no amount of discomfort is going to make me do.

I agree gift giving has gotten out of hand when now it's like people expect the world to fund all of their major life milestones.

I asked my mom to stop volunteering my things, I really want to find people to give things to who I feel need or really will appreciate them. I have a soft spot for people with years between their kids- I had to mostly start over with my second and it was a big deal... it seemed like there is always something else you need.

I think you can do some great things with clothes from the clearance racks! I was at buy buy baby this weekend and they had SOOO many things for 5$ each or less!!

You can also make a great presentation of it to make it seem more expensive too! Find an inexpensive laundry basket, maybe buy a bottle of ALL Baby or ALL free and clear detergent if you can find a coupon, and then put all of the items in the basket or on a clothes line if you have a piece of rope hanging around! If you buy a 5 pack of onesies or a 2 piece outfit - split them up on the rope so it looks longer etc!

If you are in a better place financially when the baby is born you can always give a 'meet the baby' gift of your favorite board books or parenting must haves (like pjs with zippers! or an hour of babysitting for a colicky baby!)

Sorry that your family made you feel cheap...try to look past it and just make sure you make a decision that you can live with later! Which means dont make your own family suffer!

 

[englishteacha]

Wow...Our standard wedding gift is around $30. That's what we can afford. For baby gifts, I just pick out something cute and call it good. My friend LOVES the $4 onesie I got her baby boy. It was just perfect. I bought a hand made baby blanket at a church sale for $6, so for $10 the baby got nice presents and mommy loved them. Don't spend a lot. It's a baby. Everyone will Ooooh and Aaaaah over anything cute.