No cards, instead books... wording help please!

HawaiiBrideGrm

So, my sis is 6 mos preggo and I need some help on how to word her invitation. We are thinking of asking for books instead of cards. What do you think? TIA!

BPA Bottle

"Instead of buying a crappy card we don't ccare about, buy a book that costs 3 times as much. And a gift. Better yet, just give cash. TIA."

HopingForOne

Above poster said that WAY too rudely, but basically, I agree with the point.

The first problem is telling people to bring a book is directly TELLING someone what to buy.  Not really the best idea.

Second problem is, as someone states, books tend to cost more than cards (especially if your friends/relatives are anything like mine and tend to buy cards from the dollar store).  So I'm not sure it's the best idea.

If the mom-to-be would like to get books, though, she could always add some to her registry, or register at Amazon.com (I've heard some people mention doing this)

userdeleted

I know a lot of people do this, but like the pp said I think it's honestly kind of rude. If I were being invited to a shower where I was asked to bring a book instead of a card I would be pretty annoyed. Times are tight, and a book costs at least three times as much as a card would.

Stellar1

I have to disagree with pp. I just had my shower and we did the book instead of card thing and my friends that were invited told me that it was a great idea. You can buy books at the dollar store that are actually cheaper than buying a card. Also, people could spend a little less on a gift and buy a book also. It really is up to you though. My best friend did it a few years ago and I thought it was a great idea.

kelbrian

Honestly, I think it's ridiculous. A lot of my family wouldn't have come if I had done this. They like to choose their own gifts and cards.

kklickka

On the invitation for my shower, the hostess wrote "To help start baby Noah's bedtime story collection, please bring a copy of your favorite children's book."  I don't think you have to say "instead of a card."

Mrs.Teddy

I actually love the idea & my mom is doing this for my shower. There is a poem somewhere on this board, if you go back a bit. I have been to several showers where this was requested & it didn't bother me at all.

SaranJonathan

THat wouldnt bother me at all. Its everyones choice to buy the book or not. I have seen many books at Dollar Tree, Walmart has many bargin books, even at Borders. Personally every time I go into Borders they ask you to buy a childrens book for some charity. I always do... They are never more than $3.00.... Plus if your budget is X amount thats all your going to spend on (gasp a book, wrapping paper and the rest of the gift). I would rather buy a book that the child would have then a card that I would just throw away....

If someone thought it was offensive then oh well. But as pp said go back and they have asked this question multiple times.

eaglesfan700

If you have done this, obviously no one is going to tell you that they thought it was rude.  That would be, well, rude!

I do think it is in poor taste to ask for anything on an invitation.  A registry is a list of suggested gifts, putting something on an invitation is more than a suggestion whether it's in a cute poem form or not

I agree with a pp, if you want books just register for them!

grinsandgiggles

I think it could be cute, but how many copies of Goodnight Moon do you really need?

Also, if you could find a way to put it as being optional, I think that would be your best bet.  Telling them they should get a book instead of a card is rude imo.  I know you can get books for next to nothing (Golden Books used to be this way), but I think some people would rather spend the money on something else for baby.

HopingForOne

Some people do end up with a lot of duplicates, which is a problem if they have "inscribed" something personal in them - you don't really want to throw that away.

I do think it's more rude when worded like "instead of a card..." as opposed to just suggesting books.

But I still don't like the idea of basically telling people what to buy you. 

HOWEVER...Going with what the previous poster said, about SUGGESTING it instead of making it seem like a demand, you could put something like "Mom-to-be is registered at _______...children's books are also appreciated"  or something like that.

nuestra _boda

BPAbottle:

"Instead of buying a crappy card we don't ccare about, buy a book that costs 3 times as much. And a gift. Better yet, just give cash. TIA."

well I think she was ironic and I totally agree, besides asking for a gift asking for a book instead of a card ....I think It's way too much...BUT if you are asking for a book instead of a gift then

kellers83

I agree with not mentioning it in the invite.  I just had my shower and my invite was all of the basic info and in a smaller print at the bottom was "Kelly is registered at...."  I had thought about books too though, but I put that on my registry, so people who needed or wanted help could seek it.  On the registries it said "Instead of a card, consider leaving your message for baby in a book to start her library."  I would never have said "DO THIS."

We also did a diaper raffle and THAT info was on the invite.  "People bring a pack of diapers, any shape any size, to enter a raffle for a really great prize."  People weren't obligated to do this, and if they did, they were entered into a drawing for a really nice gormet gift basket that everybody drooled over once they saw.  Not everybody participated, but most did, and it REALLY helped.  I figured people might spend $15 or so on a pack and so the cost of the items in the basket was about $50.

jolis_petits_bijoux

BPAbottle:

"Instead of buying a crappy card we don't ccare about, buy a book that costs 3 times as much. And a gift. Better yet, just give cash. TIA."

 

I recently attended a baby shower where the the invitation asked us to do this with a cute poem, and I really didn't mind.  I picked a board book that cost $4.99, just a dollar or so more than a card.  However, I don't think I would ask guests to do this, because I think it is in poor taste to "ask" for anything specific at all. 

Like PP said, you could indicate that you want books by registering for some, and including a note that says "Books are appreciated" or something polite like that on the registry.

FWIW, at the shower I just went to where we were asked to bring books in lieu of cards, the mom-to-be got a TON of duplicates.  I think she got 3 or 4 copies each of Pat the Bunny, Goodnight Moon, Cat in the Hat, Are You My Mother?, etc.