So DH and I feel very strongly about animal rights and ONLY use products that cruelty free (not tested on animals)
When we do our registry we are only going to put brands on it that we plan to use, like California Baby, Method, and Natures Baby, etc.. However, I know our families will STILL get us products THEY think are "better" such as Johnsons and Johnsons and Aveeno (which are owned by some of the worst animal testing companies).
My question is, how do we make a request in the shower invitation for quests to only get the brands on the registry without sounding snarky or bossy?
Re: Shower question..
you don't!
If you get products you are not happy with and cannot return them, donate to a local shelter.
i think this is a good idea. its a tough one, you want whats best for baby and animal rights, but not everyone is so picky and you dont want to seem ungrateful for gifts you may recieve.
you could always return items you wont be using and put the money towards products that were not tested on animals.
Could you just try and exchange stuff that you dont want to use?
Side question......Aveeno is the only thing we have found to work for DS....his skin is SO dry. What could we use instead of their body wash and lotion that's not so bad on animals? We need something really good for him
I agree with this. You cannot dictate what brands people buy for shower gifts without sounding snotty.
This. I think people would still buy what they want to whether you specify they do or don't.
Thanks for the suggestions, I love the idea of donating products to a shelter . I actually never thought of returning them either, thats also a good idea. I feel a little better now. I knew it would be hard to ask for certain brands without sounding like a you know what..lol...
Thanks again girls!
I second the idea to write a cute little poem about it and maybe even make some cute little animals part of the shower theme and put them on the invitation?
We feel strongly that we only want organic and non-toxic items for our LO and only put products from Earth's Best and Babyganics, but we're fully expecting to still get the same old Johnson and Johnson stuff that people think is the best just because it's been around so long. We're ready to make all the returns necessary after we say our thank yous and show our appreciation for their gifts at the shower.
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Agreed. Obviously you'll only register for what you like, but there is nothing you can do about people shopping off the registry.
yeah, I think I am in the same boat..we are planning to register at Babys R US and I don't see them being to bad when it comes to returning things.
Keep gift receipts and exchange is what I'd suggest. Even if you were to let them know in a way that didn't offend anyone (and these days that is just impossible) you will still get items/products you won't want for one reason or another.
I third this one!
This. I agree that if you don't want to products you receive at the shower, donating them to a shelter is a great alternative.
Summer 2011
This exactly. We're registering for specific soaps and other organic items, and are accepting(with open arms) any gift our child receives. If we can exchange it for something we want, we will. If not we will donate.
I agree with this. Just add the unwanted stuff to your registry after the shower and then return it. It is not worth the fight that could start with your friends and family over an issue like animal testing. Some people are FOR animal testing and think it is better to test on an animal than a human.
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I guess I would register for the products you want and return anything you get that you don't want, as those above have said. If the registry has a place for notes, you could explain your philosophy. I've set up a site that allows you to put all your registries in one place and I've only registered at local stores. My husband and I are big on buying locally and supporting the local businesses over the big stores. But I can imagine people who don't live near here going to Babies R Us or Target or whatever to buy things off our registry (or not off our registry).
In fact, my MIL told me a story about a friend of hers' daughter who had a baby and by the time MIL went to buy a gift, there was only one thing left on the registry--an organic, natural fiber receiving blanket for $30. She decided this was ridiculous, went to Target, and spent $30 on clothes and packs of (non-organic, not natural fiber) receiving blankets instead. I can't tell you how annoying I found this. I know she'll do something similar to us. I don't get why people don't understand that there must be a reason the couple chose the particular items on the registry. But anyway. Yes, do what you can to explain and make it clear what you want without sounding too high and mighty but be aware that people will disregard it. But be very gracious when you receive the items you don't want. People, even my MIL, generally mean well and think they're doing the best thing.