Tacky? WDYT?

sunflowergrl

My mom and friends who are throwing my shower wanted to add a bring a book portion.  DH and I are both teachers so I think it's kinda cute too, and would love to see the books we could get.  But I've never been a fan of telling people what to bring to a shower (well, for obvious reasons). 

My mom found a really cute poem online to add to the invites.  WDYT? Is it tacky to ask guests to bring a book?

 "Just one last request, and we hope it's not hard
Please bring baby a book in place of a card
By signing your book we will remember and share
Your special gift, even when you're not there."

 

 

Mereou12

I don't think it's tacky at all--in fact I think it's a fabulous idea!

llc730

I don't think this is tacky at all. I love this idea and hope I can do this at my shower (if I have one). Of course, I have always thought that cards were a waste of money so that might be influencing my opinion.

agray13

I think it's really cute!  This weekend I met a girl who is throwing a baby shower for her friend and the "admission" is diapers.  I really like the idea of having people bring a book and signing the book.  How often are you going to go back and read the cards anyway??

sspyles

Not tacky, and I've heard of many people doing this.

Sookie16

This is something I have been dealing with.  My MIL is doing this for my shower in Oct. The wording was "In lieu of a card, please consider bringing a children's book signed by you- just in time for Baby S's big debut."

When I attended a shower last year the invite had similar wording and I honestly thought it was tacky-- like you want me to get you a gift and a book?! 

It's a battle I just didn't want to wage with my MIL & apparently it is very popular up here in New England (I am originally from FL), so I guess people are used to it.  I just asked the wording to make it sound optional, because I certainly don't want to put people out.

When it is all said and done, it will be great having a little library for the baby before it is born!

kattyleigh

Not tacky at all!  This is my favorite shower theme actually.  What a great way to build a little baby library. 

sunflowergrl

Sookie16:

This is something I have been dealing with.  My MIL is doing this for my shower in Oct. The wording was "In lieu of a card, please consider bringing a children's book signed by you- just in time for Baby S's big debut."

When I attended a shower last year the invite had similar wording and I honestly thought it was tacky-- like you want me to get you a gift and a book?! 

It's a battle I just didn't want to wage with my MIL & apparently it is very popular up here in New England (I am originally from FL), so I guess people are used to it.  I just asked the wording to make it sound optional, because I certainly don't want to put people out.

When it is all said and done, it will be great having a little library for the baby before it is born!

This is my concern too.  like I'm expecting both.  That's why I was concerned.  I like that you have please consider doing it.  )

SaranJonathan

I dont think its tacky. As for the price you can get childrens books from borders bargain books, walmart, dollar store, etc for less than cards or the cost of a card, about 3... so I would do that if I didnt want to spend more!

Sookie16

sunflowergrl:

Sookie16:

This is something I have been dealing with.  My MIL is doing this for my shower in Oct. The wording was "In lieu of a card, please consider bringing a children's book signed by you- just in time for Baby S's big debut."

When I attended a shower last year the invite had similar wording and I honestly thought it was tacky-- like you want me to get you a gift and a book?! 

It's a battle I just didn't want to wage with my MIL & apparently it is very popular up here in New England (I am originally from FL), so I guess people are used to it.  I just asked the wording to make it sound optional, because I certainly don't want to put people out.

When it is all said and done, it will be great having a little library for the baby before it is born!

This is my concern too.  like I'm expecting both.  That's why I was concerned.  I like that you have please consider doing it.  )

I think people know you aren't hosting your own shower, so I don't think they will hold us responsible And it seems like older people LOVE buying baby stuff and don't seem put out by it at all.  Even my Mom, who is usually a sticker for etiquette, thought it was a great idea.

I'd say use a wording that makes it totally optional and go for it!

ablou

I think it's awesome.  Some children's books cost as much as a card, so why not do something that will be used over and over again?  We've already started on Charlie's library.  

And as far as it being tacky, screw them.  I don't want to know people that disapprove of getting a children's book for a child.  If they just want to bring a book, that's fine.  I would rather the books.  Knowledge is a gift that he will never outgrow.  

But to the OP, the poem is a little cutesy and NMS at all.   

Johnna&Ralph

I think it's a great idea! I may even steal it from you

mayowife

My hosts want to do this as well. I love the idea and plan to do it whenever I'm a guest at showers from now on, requested or not. A book can cost the same or less than a card and it has so much more value.

Here are several poems I have:

 lthough cards are nice with their sentiment
and prayer,
They're read once or twice then tucked away
with care.
A book is a treasure, words and pictures unite
Read over and over to teach and delight.
So instead of a card for Baby and
mother,
Please give a child's book with your thoughts in the cover.
Your book will be cherished; God will watch from above,
When it's read they will remember your
kindness and love.

We can't wait to see you at the shower
When (mom-to-be's name) will be the woman of the hour
We have one request we hope isn't too hard
Please sign your name to a book instead of a card
Then mom and dad will be ready when the baby arrives
To read to their darling for the rest of their lives

Bring a Book

As (Mother-to-be's name) due date is coming near,
We're inviting friends and family dear.
To choose a favorite story or fairy tale
That you would like Baby ________ to hear.
Instead of a card, please let (mother-to-be's name)look,
At your special choice of a book,
and then to Baby _________ she will read
With all the love a newborn will need.
So with a personal touch, please choose a book
And in it then your name do put.
It need not cost more than a card
Just pick a favorite, it shouldn't be hard.



I want to be a bright child
As smart as I can be.
That is why I'm hoping
My mom will read to me.
If you plan to bring a card
Please take another look,
I would like to learn my ABC's
From your favorite storybook.
Please sign your name
As your personal touch.
Baby ________ thanks you
Beary, beary much.


Just one last request, and we hope it's not hard
Please bring baby a book in place of a card
By signing your book, we will remember and share
Your special gift, even when you're not there!

mayowife

Also, check this blog out.

https://thinkpinkalicious.blogspot.com/2009/08/show-us-your-lifebaby-showers.html

Mystery2B

The wording makes it sound like you are supposed to bring both a gift and a book, which I think is tacky and as a guest I would be annoyed.  If  you make books the theme of the shower, and ask people to bring those AS the gift them I'm ok with it.

ndecker78

Not tacky at all - in fact I used the same poem and DH and I are both teachers so we really want to get a nice library started for LO!

hriesen4

Not tacky at all!!! I'm a teacher, too.  I LOVE them!  I threw my best friend a baby shower last Feb and used a similar poem in the invites.  It was a lot of fun looking at all the books.  Her MIL actually dug out her DH's fave book as a boy and bought a new copy (original was definitely well-loved!).

XXLAURAF

I think it is great...I plan on doing this for my shower...a bunch of my friends had this along with the clothesline idea..I will prob do both as well..my mom thinks they r great ideas..

aeg51107

I liked the idea when I heard about it last year. They worded it so you brought a book instead of a card. Cards can be $3 or $4 dollars anyway!

I love to buy babies books anyway so I think it was a great idea and not tacky at all. I don't feel the same way about asking people to buy them diapers though. I don't know why I think that's tacky but I do.

dawneo

I used this idea a few years ago when hosting a shower for a friend of mine.  Everyone seemed to like it and she ended up with a nice collection for her son.

kreeper611

My aunt did a shower once and did the same thing - I thought it was the best idea.  I want lots of books for my kid.  Plus, the Little Golden Books are usually pretty cheap.

MsTammy

We are doing this for my BFF's shower

j*&p*

My cousin did this and I thought it was really neat.  I don't think it's tacky at all.

sarabeth05

I think it is a great idea!

Sawyerplus1

I don't think it's tacky at all. As many previous posters have said, you can buy a kids book for about the same as a card ( and cards, in my opinion, are pretty useless). If money was a concern for me as a guest, I'd simply take the cost of the book into consideration when I bought the gift. That's easy enough!

woolgathered

I think that is super cute. I think the earlier you expose kids to reading, the more reading ready they will be when the time comes. I started reading early because my brother is a bit older and we had books around, and I was read to all the time by my Mom and Dad. Now I read like 4 books a week on average.

kellielee08

Not at all! I see it a lot in baby shower invites and I think it's a great idea!