Inviting OOT guests to shower?

MrsEditorJax

As instructed, I am working on my shower guest list, and I am not sure whether I should invite some friends who live in other states and know I am having a shower -- a couple have asked about it -- or if I should just send them a birth announcement. I doubt they could come to the shower, but I want them to know they're invited and that they're important, you know? But I also don't want to look like I am asking for gifts, because I don't want people to feel obligated at all.

flutiefrostie

I didn't invite anyone from OOT, but that's mostly because my hostess was very late in planning my shower and they wouldn't have had time to make travel arrangements.

pharmacygirl

With DS's shower, I invited OOT people so no one felt left out and people wanted to know where I was registered to send a gift for the new baby. 

Kyla Sisco

I had OOT friends and family on my guestlist.

They were sent an e-vite and we pretty much know they can't make it but it's the thought that counts.

I'm not expecting gifts from them at all either..If we get any that's great, if not, that's fine too!

I get invites from family and friends OOT and it makes me feel good. ::sappyness over::

RubyRed1085

I'm also inviting OOT guests. I would feel bad if I didn't, and this way they know they are welcome, even if you both know they can't make it. No hard feelings either way!

krstokes

I invited out of town guests... I know a few of them wont come but I didnt want anyone to feel left out.... My extended family lives 17 hours away but I know if someone didn't receive an invite then I'd hear about it for a long time...

jolis_petits_bijoux

This is a toughy.  I had this problem with my bridal shower.

I would say just invite them, and follow up with a call/email to let them know that you totally understand that they probably are unable to make it, but you wanted to throw it out there just in case.

Or, don't invite them... and next time you talk to them on the phone, just mention something about your shower and say, "I wanted to invite you, but I thought it would look gift-grabby since I know it's not realistic for you to be able to come."

If I were you, I would probably send the invite to those who have asked/mentioned it... and not invite those who haven't.  If they're close friends, they would probably want to send you a gift anyway, so it wouldn't make much difference if they send it to the shower hostess, you, etc...  For those who aren't close friends, even though you would probably invite them if they were local, I would not invite them since they're OOT.

mrs.meteowrite

I put a few on there, MIL, a super-close friend, etc.  I let them know "Hey, I put you on the list, I know it's a long shot, and I don't really expect you to fly out here, but I wanted you to know that I love you and think of you when I think of things like baby showers."  I also let the shower hostess know most likely these folks won't make it, but hey, you never know.

volleydiva

I am sending invitations to some of his family that is OOT, but one other friend of mine already said she is coming from OOT for my shower. 

niracess27

I am not having people from OOT but at this point, since both DH's mom and mine live out of the area, my mom is having one for me, my aunts that live in the area I am in are having one for me and my MIL wants to have another one in CA but I am not sure about that one yet. I asked DH if she would get offended if I asked her not too and he said yes so I am not sue what I am going to do since it was a huge hassle when we got married having to make a 16 hour drive to bring down allt he gifts we couldn't bring on the plane.

pillowbling

You should definitely invite them. My cousin had a  baby last week (our family lives 6 hours away), and everyone was talking  about her  shower. They kept posting things on facebook and such and I kinda felt hurt because I wasn't invited. Obviously, I wouldn't have been able to come (and they know that), but the thought would have been nice. In fact, now  DH and I don't even want to send a gift after the baby was born because we feel very left out...it leaves me thinking about whether to include her on my shower guest list (which will be in her town).