Grad student baby shower

dapo2004

A dear friend and grad student colleague of mine is pregnant and I offered to throw a baby shower for her. She is really excited about the idea, but is concerned about other grad students feeling pressured to buy a gift on a very limited budget. I told her that ultimately people will buy what they WANT to buy, and should not feel pressured to purchase something expensive off of her registry. Nevertheless, she is still concerned about making grad students feel uncomfortable. We threw around the idea of doing a board book shower or a homemade gift shower... or just saying on the invitation that gifts are not necessary. I feel a bit awkward about this. Any thoughts?

Helenahhandbasket

You are right-- don't mention gifts in any way, shape or form on the invite. 

I really dislike the homemade gifts idea, TBH.  I am not creative or crafty and would be totally put out by trying to make something.

If she's concerned about budgets, have her make sure there are plenty of well priced things in her registry for her guests to choose from.

divinemsbee

Yeah, I'm also not a crafty one, at least not for things that would be useful for a baby shower (I love to cook and give baked goods as gifts, but that's not a shower gift). Plus, if someone does know how to quilt/crochet/embroider/knit, it's going to take them a little while at least to get something done which places a lot more pressure on someone than zipping out to Target. And can also be much more expensive.

Tell her the best thing to do is to make sure a good range of stuff is on her registry. If she wants books, register for them. There are a ton of things under $20 or under $10 that can be registered for.

LucilleAustero

People will spend what they can. Like others have said, having a registry with a wide price range should stop problems before they start, and people can always purchase items not on the registry that fit their budget.

MMason12

I agree with PP. Dont' say anything about gifts. 

I suck as crafting and I would just go buy something homemade on Etsy -- which can be much more expensive than buying a normal shower gift -- if I got an invite like that. 

You are right -- guests will spend what they feel comfortable with! 

KSwen719

I'm in grad school and my classmates and professors just threw me a lovely surprise baby shower. A bunch of people in the department contributed and bought me the Ergo and bouncer I registered for! Not cheap items, but when a whole bunch of people put in $20 each or whatever it's no big deal. In other words, I agree with PP - have her register for things in all different price ranges and there shouldn't be an issue.

mm529

I'm currently a grad student and my lab group has had several baby showers of the past several years. People either bought what they wanted independently or the host pooled some cash from the invitees and bought a few big things. The showers were more about fun and celebrating our friends than the gifts anyways. Dont stress about it.