Out of State Showers (Practical tips to reduce schlepping gifts home from across the country?)

1220winterbride

I live in FL but I'm originally from Texas. So my family wants to host a Texas shower...I love the idea of inviting my close friends and family there but not sure if some you creative ladies have some Theme ideas to reduce the amount of gifts I actually receive at the party. I think most of the people are wise enough to ship something bulky directly to my home but you never know.

I do not want to appear ungrateful so I'd rather not limit too much, but I'm thinking a kid's Book party? Is that crazy? I'm sure this has probably been addressed already so I apologize in advance (i tried to search it)

Thanks!

Helenahhandbasket

Honestly, there's no tactful way to broach this without it seeming like you are fishing for cash/ gift cards or just plain telling people what to buy you.

Let the hostess gently remind the guests that it would be extremely helpful to have larger items shipped to your home, but many people will probably bring you small, packable items- clothing, small toys, bibs etc.

Bring along an empty suitcase, and ship the rest yourself back to your home after the shower.

Amstreagle

You can never dictate how others choose to spend their money on you. It's tacky. I agree with pp to being an empty suitcase or you can ship it to yourself.

divinemsbee

If you don't want to schlep, decline the shower. I live in TX and my family is in MS. If they do a shower, then I know I'll be loading up my car and bringing it all back (I do realize that being a somewhat driveable, 11 hour, distance helps). I'm also not opposed to shipping, parcel post is surprisingly affordable.

1220winterbride

Thanks, these are great thoughts, I'm thinking it makes the most sense to just enjoy the day and ship what I can't fit.

Eois

Happy_Yahoo_Personaler said:

C) Accept the shower, graciously accept the gifts that are given to you, quietly return them, get gift cards, and re-buy them in stores closer to you.

I did this recently and think it makes a lot of sense.   Even better, when we received a bulkier item (a boppy) from our Target registry, my mom brought it back to the store with the receipt and Target mailed it to our home on the west coast.

678 Bride

If the items are on your registry or you have a gift receipt, I would return them to the store near the shower and rebuy when you get home.  

PrimRoseMama

Amstreagle said:

You can never dictate how others choose to spend their money on you. It's tacky. I agree with pp to being an empty suitcase or you can ship it to yourself.

This. You cannot do much other than set aside some $ to ship gifts back home.

kmvisioli

I live in TX but grew up in CA, and my family did a shower there for me over Christmas. I actually registered on Amazon (H's family is East coast, mine's West coast, and we don't have the same chain stores) so registry gifts automatically shipped to us. My shower hostess also mentioned to anyone who asked that shipping to us would be most helpful, or that we could use small non-registry items like books and blankies. I did bring a giant empty suitcase for lugging back gifts, and did return some items for gift cards to repurchase back home.

I would caution you that books add up in weight quickly, and could easily put your luggage over the weight limit. A whole book themed shower would still be difficult to pack and travel with.