I love how so many of you mom's or mom's to be are so quick to bash and thrash on someone. I came to this thread recently for friends and maybe support but all I see are a bunch of nasty rude people who clearly think they wrote the bible in birth and having children. To the mom to be on this post congrats screw all of this crap with these Catty sour women. If you want your shower the way you want it you go right ahead. Shame on you all for calling this soon to be mom a narcissist. Tacky. Or rude as I'm sure many of you have had your day being bridezillas. Welcome to the millenia of momzilla ...you don't like it?! Then shut your traps! Women need to band together and support one another not bring one another down I'm appalled and done with this site!
I love how so many of you mom's or mom's to be are so quick to bash and thrash on someone. I came to this thread recently for friends and maybe support but all I see are a bunch of nasty rude people who clearly think they wrote the bible in birth and having children. To the mom to be on this post congrats screw all of this crap with these Catty sour women. If you want your shower the way you want it you go right ahead. Shame on you all for calling this soon to be mom a narcissist. Tacky. Or rude as I'm sure many of you have had your day being bridezillas. Welcome to the millenia of momzilla ...you don't like it?! Then shut your traps! Women need to band together and support one another not bring one another down I'm appalled and done with this site!
But... How is any of this actually supportive? I see a lot of bashing & really unnecessary spite here. I think you need the help of a professional. It's somewhat disturbing that a post like this moves you to speak with such a hateful tone.
I'm also offended at your screen name, but sense that you are trolling. So goodbye.
I love how so many of you mom's or mom's to be are so quick to bash and thrash on someone. I came to this thread recently for friends and maybe support but all I see are a bunch of nasty rude people who clearly think they wrote the bible in birth and having children. To the mom to be on this post congrats screw all of this crap with these Catty sour women. If you want your shower the way you want it you go right ahead. Shame on you all for calling this soon to be mom a narcissist. Tacky. Or rude as I'm sure many of you have had your day being bridezillas. Welcome to the millenia of momzilla ...you don't like it?! Then shut your traps! Women need to band together and support one another not bring one another down I'm appalled and done with this site!
You have posted on the bump a grand total of THREE TIMES. All today. Not a single one has been positive. FYI.
This entire thread is just awful. OP, we're throwing our own shower, and our friends actually asked us when we're having it and everything else. We believe we're celebrating our baby, not us. Not parenthood - but really showering a baby with all his gifts and necessities. None of my friends or family offered to throw one either, but rather asked when we'd be having it. In my circle of friends/family, everyone comes together, we barbecue and the kids play while the men drink beers and the women gaggle over baby stuff. It's not a big deal. It's also not a comment on a particular society or tactfulness.
How many women on here are underage expecting children? Unmarried? Divorced? All of these things were once considered disgraceful, and we want to down someone for throwing their own shower?
Listen - the best advice you can get as a new parent, from what I'm learning - DON'T LISTEN TO THE ADVICE OF OTHERS. Making snide comments to strangers is also rude and tacky, but no one considers that before posting things. Do whatever your heart desires. People may not like it all the time, but you'll be a lot happier for it.
Have a great baby shower! A happy and healthy pregnancy to you!
This entire thread is just awful. OP, we're throwing our own shower, and our friends actually asked us when we're having it and everything else. We believe we're celebrating our baby, not us. Not parenthood - but really showering a baby with all his gifts and necessities. None of my friends or family offered to throw one either, but rather asked when we'd be having it. In my circle of friends/family, everyone comes together, we barbecue and the kids play while the men drink beers and the women gaggle over baby stuff. It's not a big deal. It's also not a comment on a particular society or tactfulness.
How many women on here are underage expecting children? Unmarried? Divorced? All of these things were once considered disgraceful, and we want to down someone for throwing their own shower?
Listen - the best advice you can get as a new parent, from what I'm learning - DON'T LISTEN TO THE ADVICE OF OTHERS. Making snide comments to strangers is also rude and tacky, but no one considers that before posting things. Do whatever your heart desires. People may not like it all the time, but you'll be a lot happier for it.
Have a great baby shower! A happy and healthy pregnancy to you!
White knights.......white knights everywhere.
This has nothing to do with being a new parent and EVERYTHING to do with the fact that throwing your own shower is being gift grabby, oh so rude, and tacky. The fact that you agree with OP hurts my head. The fact that you agree with OP also doesnt make you correct either.
This entire thread is just awful. OP, we're throwing our own shower, and our friends actually asked us when we're having it and everything else. We believe we're celebrating our baby, not us. Not parenthood - but really showering a baby with all his gifts and necessities. None of my friends or family offered to throw one either, but rather asked when we'd be having it. In my circle of friends/family, everyone comes together, we barbecue and the kids play while the men drink beers and the women gaggle over baby stuff. It's not a big deal. It's also not a comment on a particular society or tactfulness.
How many women on here are underage expecting children? Unmarried? Divorced? All of these things were once considered disgraceful, and we want to down someone for throwing their own shower?
Listen - the best advice you can get as a new parent, from what I'm learning - DON'T LISTEN TO THE ADVICE OF OTHERS. Making snide comments to strangers is also rude and tacky, but no one considers that before posting things. Do whatever your heart desires. People may not like it all the time, but you'll be a lot happier for it.
Have a great baby shower! A happy and healthy pregnancy to you!
Or if you wanted to actually celebrate baby, you'd invite people to meet the baby once it was actually born and wouldn't call it a shower because showers are all about gifts.
But I see how you can conflate getting material goods as equivalent to celebrating your child's life. It doesn't count if there are no presents, right?
What´s interesting to note is that I've actually been asked a handful of times about my shower and where I will be throwing it, which leads me to believe that many people are unaware of the rule that it's apparently in poor taste to throw your own shower. Heck, I didn't even know about it until I joined this board, so I'm wondering what weight it really holds outside of the internet. Just a thought to chew on...
With that said, I'm not having a baby shower, as it's not really part of the culture here. So this isn't at all a justification of my situation. Just thought I'd throw out another perspective being that a lot of people don't notice (or perhaps even care about?) this sort of thing.
Happy shower planning (however you intend to do it...or not!)
I love how so many of you mom's or mom's to be are so quick to bash and thrash on someone. I came to this thread recently for friends and maybe support but all I see are a bunch of nasty rude people who clearly think they wrote the bible in birth and having children. To the mom to be on this post congrats screw all of this crap with these Catty sour women. If you want your shower the way you want it you go right ahead. Shame on you all for calling this soon to be mom a narcissist. Tacky. Or rude as I'm sure many of you have had your day being bridezillas. Welcome to the millenia of momzilla ...you don't like it?! Then shut your traps! Women need to band together and support one another not bring one another down I'm appalled and done with this site!
Nope. I planned the tiniest wedding I possibly could, no bridal shower, one matron of honor and one best man, at someone's house in the backyard with about 15 people, if that. Just because this has become a gimme society doesn't mean we have to participate in it.
This entire thread is just awful. OP, we're throwing our own shower, and our friends actually asked us when we're having it and everything else. We believe we're celebrating our baby, not us. Not parenthood - but really showering a baby with all his gifts and necessities. None of my friends or family offered to throw one either, but rather asked when we'd be having it. In my circle of friends/family, everyone comes together, we barbecue and the kids play while the men drink beers and the women gaggle over baby stuff. It's not a big deal. It's also not a comment on a particular society or tactfulness.
How many women on here are underage expecting children? Unmarried? Divorced? All of these things were once considered disgraceful, and we want to down someone for throwing their own shower?
Listen - the best advice you can get as a new parent, from what I'm learning - DON'T LISTEN TO THE ADVICE OF OTHERS. Making snide comments to strangers is also rude and tacky, but no one considers that before posting things. Do whatever your heart desires. People may not like it all the time, but you'll be a lot happier for it.
Have a great baby shower! A happy and healthy pregnancy to you!
No. The point of a shower is to shower the MOTHER with necessities to take care of her first child. You can't celebrate someone who isn't there. I also find the comparison of someone throwing their own shower to an unmarried, underage, or divorced mother very apples to oranges. The latter has nothing to do with etiquette, the former everything.
I love how so many of you mom's or mom's to be are so quick to bash and thrash on someone. I came to this thread recently for friends and maybe support but all I see are a bunch of nasty rude people who clearly think they wrote the bible in birth and having children. To the mom to be on this post congrats screw all of this crap with these Catty sour women. If you want your shower the way you want it you go right ahead. Shame on you all for calling this soon to be mom a narcissist. Tacky. Or rude as I'm sure many of you have had your day being bridezillas. Welcome to the millenia of momzilla ...you don't like it?! Then shut your traps! Women need to band together and support one another not bring one another down I'm appalled and done with this site!
Nope. I planned the tiniest wedding I possibly could, no bridal shower, one matron of honor and one best man, at someone's house in the backyard with about 15 people, if that. Just because this has become a gimme society doesn't mean we have to participate in it.
THIS. I didn't care about it being MY day, I just wanted to have fun. Shoot, I let all of my bridesmaids choose whatever tiaras they wanted to wear, if they wanted one. I gave them a color and told them to pick whatever dress they wanted. I even had others announce their engagements or pregnancies if they wanted to. I'm pretty sure no one forgot it was my wedding day just because I didn't hog the spotlight.
Just because everyone else jumps off of a cliff (a.k.a. likes to be tacky) doesn't mean it's a good idea.
People do realize that you can accept gifts without having an actual shower, right? It's like these people who want to throw their own shower think that if people aren't specifically invited to a gift giving event then they won't bother. Newsflash - if they won't get you a gift without a shower invitation, then they probably won't want to come to your shower. The people who are close to you and who want to give you presents will do so regardless of whether there's an official party.
People do realize that you can accept gifts without having an actual shower, right? It's like these people who want to throw their own shower think that if people aren't specifically invited to a gift giving event then they won't bother. Newsflash - if they won't get you a gift without a shower invitation, then they probably won't want to come to your shower. The people who are close to you and who want to give you presents will do so regardless of whether there's an official party.
Uh oh. More logic on the way.
From what I've read on this subject, many women seem to put a baby shower on the same level as a wedding or actually birthing a baby. They feel they are entitled to have people buy stuff for their baby. I know someone who has had 5 baby showers, with the last 4 kids being only a year or so apart. I thought it was tacky and no I didn't attend.
What´s interesting to note is that I've actually been asked a handful of times about my shower and where I will be throwing it, which leads me to believe that many people are unaware of the rule that it's apparently in poor taste to throw your own shower. Heck, I didn't even know about it until I joined this board, so I'm wondering what weight it really holds outside of the internet. Just a thought to chew on...
With that said, I'm not having a baby shower, as it's not really part of the culture here. So this isn't at all a justification of my situation. Just thought I'd throw out another perspective being that a lot of people don't notice (or perhaps even care about?) this sort of thing.
Happy shower planning (however you intend to do it...or not!)
I've lived all along the west coast and no one has ever cared as much about baby shower etiquette as they do on these boards. It's been eye opening to say the least.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS POST? Just to inform everyone that you're SO special and throwing yourself your own tacky shower? Seems legit. You should totes assign people which gifts to buy you! Would totally fit your whole bossy/entitled theme.
Maybe she wants the shower so she can celebrate her pregnancy.. Ever think of that one?? not everyone is gunna be greedy and beg for gifts.
ALl the rude and snarky comments are really pathetic. Grow up
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS POST? Just to inform everyone that you're SO special and throwing yourself your own tacky shower? Seems legit. You should totes assign people which gifts to buy you! Would totally fit your whole bossy/entitled theme.
Maybe she wants the shower so she can celebrate her pregnancy.. Ever think of that one?? not everyone is gunna be greedy and beg for gifts.
ALl the rude and snarky comments are really pathetic. Grow up
Then she has a party, because showers by definition are about gifts.
Not rocket science people shower = gifts. Don't want it to be about gits, don't have a shower.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS POST? Just to inform everyone that you're SO special and throwing yourself your own tacky shower? Seems legit. You should totes assign people which gifts to buy you! Would totally fit your whole bossy/entitled theme.
Maybe she wants the shower so she can celebrate her pregnancy.. Ever think of that one?? not everyone is gunna be greedy and beg for gifts.
ALl the rude and snarky comments are really pathetic. Grow up
It's funny because THIS post is rude and snarky. So maybe you should take your own advice and not even contribute if you are going to try and police these boards.
I'm not having a shower due to my family/husbands family being all over the country. We're going to include some family and close friends into our baby shopping and go to dinner. I feel so lucky to be pregnant in the first place after trying for 3.5 years... I'm fine with not having a shower. My daughter will be loved and celebrated by so many wonderful people... that's good enough for me. I hope you ladies have beautiful showers!
A lot of crazy negative comments here! But yes, just keep in mind a shower is a gift. My mom is throwing my shower and I am very much involved. We compromise. She is excited to do this for me and I pick colors/themes. We send each other ideas throughout the day. My parents just want to make me happy. But at the end of the day it is a gift to me and I am grateful for the shower. You can have an opinion without being rude. Maybe your friend would like to throw you one? You can always plan together. It's ok to loosen the reigns with a party. Of course when you're little one arrives that is all you mama. Good luck!
If you want to be so hands on in every detail to the point where you want to throw your own shower and dictate what your friends do for said shower, just skip the shower and buy your own shit.
I didn't think I was going to have a bridal shower because I also recently moved to the area and didn't have close friends here. Someone H worked with was also getting married, so another coworker's wife offered to throw a shower for the two of us, which was very nice and I liked that I didn't have all the attention on myself. But if she hadn't offered, that would not have been an excuse to host my own. Same for baby showers. No one is required to buy you stuff.
LFAF/Nov 16 challenge: Bad TV moms that shouldn't be celebrated
BFP #1 10/30/15 MMC found 11/30/15 D&C 12/11/15 EDD 7/9/16
healing comes in waves, and maybe today the wave hits the rocks and that’s ok, that’s ok, darling. you are still healing, you are still healing- Ijeoma Umebinyuo, be gentle with yourself BFP #2 3/21 EDD 11/28/16
If you want to be so hands on in every detail to the point where you want to throw your own shower and dictate what your friends do for said shower, just skip the shower and buy your own shit.
I didn't think I was going to have a bridal shower because I also recently moved to the area and didn't have close friends here. Someone H worked with was also getting married, so another coworker's wife offered to throw a shower for the two of us, which was very nice and I liked that I didn't have all the attention on myself. But if she hadn't offered, that would not have been an excuse to host my own. Same for baby showers. No one is required to buy you stuff.
I love that gif!
I'm so curious why so many people (not all) feel entitled to gifts when they become pregnant. It is not a requirement to get any gift at all & to brazenly host your own shower is almost a slap in the face. Correction- it is a slap in the face.
LFAF February Siggy Challenge - "Favorite TV/Movie Couple"
I don't understand why everyone is so jumpy on this subject. I planned my own shower, along with my sister but I was totally involved. I made my own cake, did my own invites, centerpieces and cooked our own food... organized everything. It had nothing to do with being a control freak, it's just that it was the way it worked out. I'm a teacher, so the creative part in me just had a ball. I bought the prizes because I knew who my guests were and I wanted to cater to them. I looked up the games that were going to be played and who were the ones playing it. This is a party and if you feel you can do it, why not. There's no rule, and none of my family or friends thought it was tacky that I did it.
I don't understand why everyone is so jumpy on this subject. I planned my own shower, along with my sister but I was totally involved. I made my own cake, did my own invites, centerpieces and cooked our own food... organized everything. It had nothing to do with being a control freak, it's just that it was the way it worked out. I'm a teacher, so the creative part in me just had a ball. I bought the prizes because I knew who my guests were and I wanted to cater to them. I looked up the games that were going to be played and who were the ones playing it. This is a party and if you feel you can do it, why not. There's no rule, and none of my family or friends thought it was tacky that I did it.
How many times do we have to explain it? A shower is a gift giving event. The SOLE purpose of the event is to give gifts to the guest of honor (which is the MOTHER, not the BABY). No, it is NOT the same as a birthday party (purpose is to celebrate the birth of the guest of honor, guests are traditionally gift, but not the purpose of the event) or a wedding (purpose is to celebrate the union of the couple, again, gifts traditionally given, but not the purpose of the event).
IT IS TACKY, period, end of sentence, not an opinion, BEING THE GUEST OF HONOR, to invite people to come and give you gifts. IT IS NOT TACKY for another person to invite others to gather and give gifts to the guest of honor.
The shower itself is a gift to the guest of honor. It is tacky to involve yourself in the planning of the shower, as that makes you a co-host. It is fine to answer questions if they are asked of you (what flavor of cake do you like, do you like this theme, do you prefer sandwiches or a hot meal, etc.), but otherwise BUTT OUT.
DS1: BFP 04/03/11 | EDD 12/02/11 | born 11/21/11 DS2: BFP 02/09/13 | EDD 10/26/13 | said goodbye 06/02/13
There's no rule, and none of my family or friends thought it was tacky that I did it.
I've been trying to not comment on this thread again so it would just die, but people keep getting involved and it's getting ridiculous.
There is a rule actually. It's called "etiquette" and it dictates that it's inappropriate for the guest of honor to throw his or her own gift-giving event. Period.
Additionally, your friends and family may well have thought it was tacky but didn't want to say that to your face and upset you. That's the beauty of Internet strangers, we will tell you the truth because we don't actually know you and aren't afraid to hurt your feelings.
A close friend of mine recently threw her own shower. I politely tried to talk her out of it several times, offering to host it myself, but she wasn't having it. Multiple guests came to me to ask if she was really throwing it herself because of how weird and inappropriate it was. No one actually told her it was rude or inappropriate or tacky because they love her and didn't want to insult her. She's a close friend and I would have gotten her a gift even without a shower so I just went and kept my mouth shut. Which is probably what at least some of your guests did as well.
There's no rule, and none of my family or friends thought it was tacky that I did it.
I've been trying to not comment on this thread again so it would just die, but people keep getting involved and it's getting ridiculous.
There is a rule actually. It's called "etiquette" and it dictates that it's inappropriate for the guest of honor to throw his or her own gift-giving event. Period.
Additionally, your friends and family may well have thought it was tacky but didn't want to say that to your face and upset you. That's the beauty of Internet strangers, we will tell you the truth because we don't actually know you and aren't afraid to hurt your feelings.
A close friend of mine recently threw her own shower. I politely tried to talk her out of it several times, offering to host it myself, but she wasn't having it. Multiple guests came to me to ask if she was really throwing it herself because of how weird and inappropriate it was. No one actually told her it was rude or inappropriate or tacky because they love her and didn't want to insult her. She's a close friend and I would have gotten her a gift even without a shower so I just went and kept my mouth shut. Which is probably what at least some of your guests did as well.
I don't understand why everyone is so jumpy on this subject. I planned my own shower, along with my sister but I was totally involved. I made my own cake, did my own invites, centerpieces and cooked our own food... organized everything. It had nothing to do with being a control freak, it's just that it was the way it worked out. I'm a teacher, so the creative part in me just had a ball. I bought the prizes because I knew who my guests were and I wanted to cater to them. I looked up the games that were going to be played and who were the ones playing it. This is a party and if you feel you can do it, why not. There's no rule, and none of my family or friends thought it was tacky that I did it.
I'm honestly starting to think these opinions are unique to pregnancy boards because no one I have mentioned this to (women who have just had babies, women with kids of all ages, Americans here in Paris and of course friends in the States that come from a variety of backgrounds) have no clue what I am talking about in regard to "etiquette."
When I explain that no one has offered to throw a shower (no boo hoo here, just it is what it is) and that it would be in poor taste to organize my own (also I'm lazy), it is always met with furrowed eyebrows and the question, "in poor taste according to whom?" And then I explain that I read it on the Internet and I lose all credibility! So, yeah it makes sense that you threw your party (your ideas were very thoughtful to your guests) without any judgment because I'm starting to think people in real life are just to busy to care and are real friends who don't talk about you behind your back (I'm sorry but who does this past the age of 14?)
I don't understand why everyone is so jumpy on this subject. I planned my own shower, along with my sister but I was totally involved. I made my own cake, did my own invites, centerpieces and cooked our own food... organized everything. It had nothing to do with being a control freak, it's just that it was the way it worked out. I'm a teacher, so the creative part in me just had a ball. I bought the prizes because I knew who my guests were and I wanted to cater to them. I looked up the games that were going to be played and who were the ones playing it. This is a party and if you feel you can do it, why not. There's no rule, and none of my family or friends thought it was tacky that I did it.
I'm honestly starting to think these opinions are unique to pregnancy boards because no one I have mentioned this to (women who have just had babies, Americans here in Paris and of course friends in the States that come from a variety of backgrounds) have a clue what I am talking about in regard to "etiquette."
When I explain that no one has offered to throw a shower (no boo hoo here, just it is what it is) and that it would be in poor taste to organize my own (also I'm lazy), it is always met with furrowed eyebrows and the question, "in poor taste according to whom?" And then I explain that I read it on the Internet and I lose all credibility! So, yeah it makes sense that you threw your party (your ideas were very thoughtful to your guests) without any judgment because I'm starting to think people in real life are just to busy to care and are real friends who don't talk about you behind your back (I'm sorry but who does this past the age of 14?)
But whether or not people know it's in poor taste to throw your own gift-centered party, doesn't make it appropriate.
It seems to be one of those things that's acceptable in some crowds (ie: the crowds who perhaps have never had babies and have never thought about the etiquette.) But I promise it's not just an internet thing. I see baby-shower related tackiness all the time and it's generally gobbled up by their friends but I promise you there are many who shake their heads and think, "You've got to be joking."
Re: Anyone else throwing their own BABY SHOWER!?!?
I'm also offended at your screen name, but sense that you are trolling. So goodbye.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
You have posted on the bump a grand total of THREE TIMES. All today. Not a single one has been positive. FYI.
How many women on here are underage expecting children? Unmarried? Divorced? All of these things were once considered disgraceful, and we want to down someone for throwing their own shower?
Listen - the best advice you can get as a new parent, from what I'm learning - DON'T LISTEN TO THE ADVICE OF OTHERS. Making snide comments to strangers is also rude and tacky, but no one considers that before posting things. Do whatever your heart desires. People may not like it all the time, but you'll be a lot happier for it.
Have a great baby shower! A happy and healthy pregnancy to you!
This has nothing to do with being a new parent and EVERYTHING to do with the fact that throwing your own shower is being gift grabby, oh so rude, and tacky. The fact that you agree with OP hurts my head. The fact that you agree with OP also doesnt make you correct either.
But I see how you can conflate getting material goods as equivalent to celebrating your child's life. It doesn't count if there are no presents, right?
With that said, I'm not having a baby shower, as it's not really part of the culture here. So this isn't at all a justification of my situation. Just thought I'd throw out another perspective being that a lot of people don't notice (or perhaps even care about?) this sort of thing.
Happy shower planning (however you intend to do it...or not!)
Just because everyone else jumps off of a cliff (a.k.a. likes to be tacky) doesn't mean it's a good idea.
From what I've read on this subject, many women seem to put a baby shower on the same level as a wedding or actually birthing a baby. They feel they are entitled to have people buy stuff for their baby. I know someone who has had 5 baby showers, with the last 4 kids being only a year or so apart. I thought it was tacky and no I didn't attend.
Then she has a party, because showers by definition are about gifts.
Not rocket science people shower = gifts. Don't want it to be about gits, don't have a shower.
Lol. Is that the best you can do?
@wassuphoes
I like that Audijones TOU violating comment was deleted, and she's not banned, yet @CatsAreShady was banned for no discernable reason./
The answer is NO. Do not throw your own shower. That is by far the rudest thing you can do. Even more rude than having a second shower IMO.
You're going to spend so much money on this shower that you could have just purchased all the gifts you want anyways.
LFAF February Siggy Challenge - "Favorite TV/Movie Couple"
DD: 10/17/13
TTC#2 Actively: 10/14, NTNP: 01/14
Left-Sided Hydrosalpinx (cause: genetic abnormality, TREATED 11/16)
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/396b04
BFP #2 3/21 EDD 11/28/16
I'm so curious why so many people (not all) feel entitled to gifts when they become pregnant. It is not a requirement to get any gift at all & to brazenly host your own shower is almost a slap in the face. Correction- it is a slap in the face.
LFAF February Siggy Challenge - "Favorite TV/Movie Couple"
DD: 10/17/13
TTC#2 Actively: 10/14, NTNP: 01/14
Left-Sided Hydrosalpinx (cause: genetic abnormality, TREATED 11/16)
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/396b04
However, good point on showers costing money and that a better alternative would be to use that money instead to buy things for the baby.
DS2: BFP 02/09/13 | EDD 10/26/13 | said goodbye 06/02/13
There is a rule actually. It's called "etiquette" and it dictates that it's inappropriate for the guest of honor to throw his or her own gift-giving event. Period.
Additionally, your friends and family may well have thought it was tacky but didn't want to say that to your face and upset you. That's the beauty of Internet strangers, we will tell you the truth because we don't actually know you and aren't afraid to hurt your feelings.
A close friend of mine recently threw her own shower. I politely tried to talk her out of it several times, offering to host it myself, but she wasn't having it. Multiple guests came to me to ask if she was really throwing it herself because of how weird and inappropriate it was. No one actually told her it was rude or inappropriate or tacky because they love her and didn't want to insult her. She's a close friend and I would have gotten her a gift even without a shower so I just went and kept my mouth shut. Which is probably what at least some of your guests did as well.
When I explain that no one has offered to throw a shower (no boo hoo here, just it is what it is) and that it would be in poor taste to organize my own (also I'm lazy), it is always met with furrowed eyebrows and the question, "in poor taste according to whom?" And then I explain that I read it on the Internet and I lose all credibility! So, yeah it makes sense that you threw your party (your ideas were very thoughtful to your guests) without any judgment because I'm starting to think people in real life are just to busy to care and are real friends who don't talk about you behind your back (I'm sorry but who does this past the age of 14?)
It seems to be one of those things that's acceptable in some crowds (ie: the crowds who perhaps have never had babies and have never thought about the etiquette.) But I promise it's not just an internet thing. I see baby-shower related tackiness all the time and it's generally gobbled up by their friends but I promise you there are many who shake their heads and think, "You've got to be joking."