Baby Shower Vent

QUOTE(Molly_US @ Jul 21 2008, 04:57 PM) [snapback]887328[/snapback]
It doesn't sound like you are doing too badly if you have a few big ticket items already from family and a heap of clothes, bottles and diapers etc from friends. Isn't this kind of the norm? We're getting stroller, car seats and crib from family, anything else would be a delightful bonus. As someone else said, I feel it's our job to provide for these babies. Just my opinion ...



Oh my goodness, I have to admit I am a little surprised at how much is expected to buy for your babies (I'm not talking about just the OP)! I don't know if you realize how much clothes newborns go through and I also know that I cannot afford to buy big ticket items for other people all the time. If you can't afford to buy it for yourself, how can you expect someone else to? I am sorry if that sounds harsh, but I would just be grateful for whatever you get and if you choose to trade it in for something else, that is your perogative. I would be pretty offended if I knew someone I had spent money on was griping that I got them something they didn't want. Money can be tight for them and all they might have been able to afford was clothing, which is a kind gesture and better than nothing.

Sara

 

I don't expect *anyone* to buy us big ticket items, but I have to say, it would be very helpful if we got the smaller things we needed instead of matchy-cutsie baby outfits! After giving my cousin-in-law a baby shower in the spring -- for FAMILY -- and watching her get loads of baby clothes and nothing practical, DH and I made the decision to not disclose the genders of the twins! I know it *sounds* terrible, but honestly, we need things like diapers, bottles, burpcloths etc.... not clothes (which I *do* have plenty of).... after all this is DH's family too and they will do us the same way

My MIL actually bought his cousin $20 worth of stuff from the dollar store -- I'd much rather have that $20 in a gift card and put it towards something we need or diapers! I don't think that's being greedy, just practical... I have asked my friend who is giving me the baby shower to put "no clothing please" on the shower invitations and she looked at me like I was out of my mind, but said she would I also registered at WalMart which is the only place close to about 1/3 of DH's family members, so that should help.

BTW DH's family was NOT happy that we decided not to share the genders with them, but we have decided to tell them at the shower so they don't have to wait *as* long (and those who will give us baby gifts will have already done so)

jen

 

QUOTE(sk8rjen @ Jul 26 2008, 06:13 PM) [snapback]898001[/snapback]
I don't expect *anyone* to buy us big ticket items, but I have to say, it would be very helpful if we got the smaller things we needed instead of matchy-cutsie baby outfits! After giving my cousin-in-law a baby shower in the spring -- for FAMILY -- and watching her get loads of baby clothes and nothing practical, DH and I made the decision to not disclose the genders of the twins! I know it *sounds* terrible, but honestly, we need things like diapers, bottles, burpcloths etc.... not clothes (which I *do* have plenty of).... after all this is DH's family too and they will do us the same way

My MIL actually bought his cousin $20 worth of stuff from the dollar store -- I'd much rather have that $20 in a gift card and put it towards something we need or diapers! I don't think that's being greedy, just practical... I have asked my friend who is giving me the baby shower to put "no clothing please" on the shower invitations and she looked at me like I was out of my mind, but said she would I also registered at WalMart which is the only place close to about 1/3 of DH's family members, so that should help.

BTW DH's family was NOT happy that we decided not to share the genders with them, but we have decided to tell them at the shower so they don't have to wait *as* long (and those who will give us baby gifts will have already done so)

jen


Ya. I don't think that it is expecting ANY ONE person to buy a "big ticket item" it's about buying WHAT YOU NEED (hence the registry..) instead of what someone else wants you to have.. It's all about practicality.. simple as that. I have to say that if "money is tight" and Lord knows IT IS.. wouldn't it make the most sense to buy someone something they would use? I don't agree with the "be happy with what they got you" deal. I think that is ODD when someone gets someone what they WANT to get them when there is a registry!!! It's bad form.

And on my registry-- my parents and MYSELF purchased the big items.. I would NEVER expect a friend or acquaintance to buy any of them unless they all went in on one. I'm sure that anyone who is having twins has PLENTY of cheaper items on their list and there is always gift cards to places like Target etc... I mean, it's all about using your head.. I would rather have 2 packs of diapers than a hideous outfit I'll never put on my boys.. It's a waste.

It is the thought that counts but if you're going to bother w/ a gift and spending ANY money-- I think it should be something that someone won't toss in a drawer or immediately in the trash. Clothing is really such a personal thing anyway. My opinion only

 

People love to buy cute matching clothes for twins! I have g/g twins and a co-worker has b/g twins. I can tell you there was a huge difference in what we were given at our showers and the norm for other showers. I received almost all matching or coordinating clothes up to size 6 months-most being 0/3. Tons of 0/3 months clothes. More than 4 babies would have ever worn, lol. The same thing happened at the other twin mom's shower. For those with singles, people bought diapers, bottles, and gear from their registries. Clothes too, of course, but a lot of other necessities too. Groups usually went in on bigger ticket items too like pnp's. My theory is people just love the idea of seeing two adorable babies in the clothes they buy!

 

Not bad at all! There will always be family members that want to buy something fun for your babies, but surely you will have one or two members that will chip in for the high chair. We started out with the Fisher Price Space Saver high chairs (these attach to a regular chair)... they look like space pods! They were great in the beginning but as the girls got to be 9 or 10 months, it got annoying with all the straps. I met a mom in my local multiples club who sold me her Fisher Price Healthy Care booster seats... I was going to use them for travel, but they are so wonderful I took out the other chairs and use these full time! They are great because there is a feeding tray as well as a base tray so you can switch them out. The girls seem to like them better as well and you can use it longer. You may want to check them out instead of a traditional high chair. They are very highly rated. http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?e=prod...475&st=2002

 

I just had to say that we just had my baby shower today and I could cry..everyone was so generous, we literally have nothing left to buy. I mean we got 2 Britax conv. carseats, the infant carseat, 2 booster high chairs, boppy's, summer 3-1 stage seats, snap n' go, gifts cards, and all of the fun baby extras. I can't believe that people did so much after I literally had a shower for my baby girl the same time last year. We are very blessed and the funny thing was that half of the stuff we got was not on the registry-people did their research I guess

 

QUOTE(mstofko21 @ Jul 27 2008, 09:05 PM) [snapback]899456[/snapback]
I just had to say that we just had my baby shower today and I could cry..everyone was so generous, we literally have nothing left to buy. I mean we got 2 Britax conv. carseats, the infant carseat, 2 booster high chairs, boppy's, summer 3-1 stage seats, snap n' go, gifts cards, and all of the fun baby extras. I can't believe that people did so much after I literally had a shower for my baby girl the same time last year. We are very blessed and the funny thing was that half of the stuff we got was not on the registry-people did their research I guess


That's so wonderful!! I'm glad you got things you needed -- gives me more hope for sure
jen