Why no wrapping?

kes3237 · January 2012

My invite to a baby shower says: "Don't wrap her gift but do bring 'pearls of wisdom' to share with MTB." Registry info is at the bottom.

Why don't they want me to wrap her gift? Is it a green thing?

LaynieBird · January 2012

I would guess that it's a green thing or the MTB doesn't want to unwrap the gifts. I kind of wonder if guests will ignore that and wrap their gifts anyway. I'd be tempted to wrap mine twice

momamatthews · January 2012

LaynieBird:
I would guess that it's a green thing or the MTB doesn't want to unwrap the gifts. I kind of wonder if guests will ignore that and wrap their gifts anyway. I'd be tempted to wrap mine twice

Do it! Wrap that gift with layers of paper and multiple bows!

Liz4444 · January 2012

Because she wants to take your gift and stick it on a table and then give it a fancy name to make herself not seem tacky and lazy. She will also claim she is doing this so that she has more time to talk to her guests.

I would wrap it with very intricate, hard to undo, bows.

ECT2012 · January 2012

The person who is throwing my shower decided mine would be a "green" shower without checking with me - so don't always blame the mother to be... I personally like the unwrapping of the gifts and think that me at my shower with no unwrapping to do, but still going through each gift one by one is going to be incredibly awkward!

ChristyML · January 2012

Could it be that she feels incredibly awkward opening gifts in front of people? Or she knows she's like MH who takes FOREVER to open presents...MH will unwrap his presents like they're bombs.

dojo1 · January 2012

It's a balk at convention under the guise that the hosts / MTB are doing YOU a favor by demanding that you give your offering unwrapped.

CareZ · January 2012

Is the MTB Jewish? Several years ago I went to a babyshower for a co-worker with the request that gifts either be wrapped in clear cellophane or not wrapped at all. She is Jewish and if I remember correctly it had to do with a Jewish custom - it is bad luck for them to open any baby gifts or bring any gifts into the home until after the baby is born. So the cellophane/no wrapping, *I think*, was their way of accounting for what they received so that the parents-to-be could fill in where needed before baby was born.

Liz4444 · January 2012

CareZ:
Is the MTB Jewish? Several years ago I went to a babyshower for a co-worker with the request that gifts either be wrapped in clear cellophane or not wrapped at all. She is Jewish and if I remember correctly it had to do with a Jewish custom - it is bad luck for them to open any baby gifts or bring any gifts into the home until after the baby is born. So the cellophane/no wrapping, *I think*, was their way of accounting for what they received so that the parents-to-be could fill in where needed before baby was born.

Nope, I'm Jewish... we aren't supposed to have showers because you aren't supposed to have anything beforehand. Unwrapping a present has nothing to do with it.

LesleyH11 · January 2012

It's probably a green thing...but I would wrap it anyways to annoy her...guests can't choose to wrap their gifts anymore?...I find that very annoying.

BallSox · January 2012

Probably because they are tacky.

imimahoney · January 2012

Liz4444:
CareZ:
Is the MTB Jewish? Several years ago I went to a babyshower for a co-worker with the request that gifts either be wrapped in clear cellophane or not wrapped at all. She is Jewish and if I remember correctly it had to do with a Jewish custom - it is bad luck for them to open any baby gifts or bring any gifts into the home until after the baby is born. So the cellophane/no wrapping, *I think*, was their way of accounting for what they received so that the parents-to-be could fill in where needed before baby was born.

Nope, I'm Jewish... we aren't supposed to have showers because you aren't supposed to have anything beforehand. Unwrapping a present has nothing to do with it.

Ditto.Jew here.

Jews aren't even supposed to have showers. Your co-worker was just being weird with her request.

mommyaudra · January 2012

Liz4444:

Because she wants to take your gift and stick it on a table and then give it a fancy name to make herself not seem tacky and lazy. She will also claim she is doing this so that she has more time to talk to her guests.

I would wrap it with very intricate, hard to undo, bows.

This. Let us know what the reason was, and please do tell us that others wrapped theirs too!

Aleja0918 · January 2012

Most of the time it's because the MTB doesn't want to sit and open gifts. The only way I wouldn't side-eye the request would be if the rest of the registry and shower was also environmentally friendly. Some will use the guise of "going green" to get their guests to not wrap presents but still have disposable diapers, paper plates, and streamers hung throughout the venue. A little counterproductive.

whirlybird27 · January 2012

Liz4444:
Because she wants to take your gift and stick it on a table and then give it a fancy name to make herself not seem tacky and lazy. She will also claim she is doing this so that she has more time to talk to her guests.

I would wrap it with very intricate, hard to undo, bows.

This! And lots and lots of layers...

(If she was 'green' you would know it because it would reflect in her life *unless like another poster said it was the host etc*. Since you had to ask about it being environmentally friendly I would go with no she isn't-just rather tacky)

sanriobaby · January 2012

Liz4444:

Because she wants to take your gift and stick it on a table and then give it a fancy name to make herself not seem tacky and lazy. She will also claim she is doing this so that she has more time to talk to her guests.

I would wrap it with very intricate, hard to undo, bows.

This 100%!!! I swear, btwn asking for books instead of cards, specifying clothing sizes, ect, some of these MTBs are getting out of control!!! IMO, the only exception to honoring a no wrap gift request is if the MTB is known for being super eco friendly, and even then, you can always be creative and use a swaddle blanket or some type of reusable item to wrap up the gift.

davisas2323 · January 2012

BallSox:
Probably because they are tacky.

Ballsox, hit up the previous post about the shower where the hostesses opened all the gifts for the mom at the shower and wrote everything down instead of the mom "having" to open them.

Just sayin', someone's not getting a present if this is what it's coming to, folks.

rhubarb123 · January 2012

I'm not green and I detest the "unwrapped gift" showers so I wrap the gift I take. I also make sure the MTB opens it before I leave.

Like the others have said...either the MTB is green (which she shouldn't be dictating that you should be as well) or she doesn't want to take the time to unwrap gifts...so she can spend more time socializing with her family and friends.

BTW...do you know her well? Does she have casts on her hands/arms or something like that? That could be another reason. I will never buy the "too shy" reason. If that is the case they shouldn't have agreed to have a shower in the first place.

ChristyML · January 2012

rhubarb123:
I'm not green and I detest the "unwrapped gift" showers so I wrap the gift I take. I also make sure the MTB opens it before I leave.

Like the others have said...either the MTB is green (which she shouldn't be dictating that you should be as well) or she doesn't want to take the time to unwrap gifts...so she can spend more time socializing with her family and friends.

BTW...do you know her well? Does she have casts on her hands/arms or something like that? That could be another reason. I will never buy the "too shy" reason. If that is the case they shouldn't have agreed to have a shower in the first place.

That's true. Also, it sounds like some of you ladies have been to an "unwrapped gift" shower. Are they really common or something?

shootingstars00 · January 2012

That is really weird. People are so rude. If they are asking for gifts not to be wrapped to be green, they should EXPLAIN it at least.

TAU1980 · January 2012

Some of you ladies get very worked up about this issue. I personally dread the hours of gift opening and I don't really expect to be publicly recognized for the $50 worth of diapers I bought from her registry. It's rewarding enough to give the MTB (usually a good friend or family member) something she specifically asked for or needs.

So you're offended that you don't get your air time during the gift opening and don't want to be forced to "go green" by saving paper, that's your prerogative, but unfortunately, the baby shower isn't about you. You simply don't have to go.

Ivana_Stolichnaya · January 2012

IMO it's rude to put any sort of gift request on the invite. I would wrap it with a lot of tape and ribbon that's tight and double knotted. She would need scissors just to get to the gift.

Disneygeek77 · January 2012

My opinio, is the the mom doesn't like to be the center of attention and doesn't want people to watch her open the gifts. I think that is a bit ridiculous because your guests took time out of their day to buy you a gift and come to your party, the least you could do is plaster a smile on your face and say thank you.

Aleja0918 · January 2012

TAU1980:
Some of you ladies get very worked up about this issue. I personally dread the hours of gift opening and I don't really expect to be publicly recognized for the $50 worth of diapers I bought from her registry. It's rewarding enough to give the MTB (usually a good friend or family member) something she specifically asked for or needs.
So you're offended that you don't get your air time during the gift opening and don't want to be forced to "go green" by saving paper, that's your prerogative, but unfortunately, the baby shower isn't about you. You simply don't have to go.

It's common courtesy. Really, what's so difficult about opening presents? It's not manual labor. The shower costs guests their time and money so the least the MTB can do is acknowledge the person and their gift. Not to mention, it's rude to put stipulations on how a person should or shouldn't give you a gift.

kimikins79 · January 2012

Wow, some of these responses are surprising, and very snarky! I asked for no wrapping at my baby shower, not because I am lazy, unappreciative, tacky, etc. I asked for it because it is a green initiative. Wrapping presents, especially on huge items, is really wasteful. You just sit there and throw it all away.

I intend to sit there and go through the generous gifts and thank each person as I go through their gifts. It is becoming increasingly popular. Honestly, it also saves money for the guest by not having to buy paper, or bows, etc.

Liz4444 · January 2012

kimikins79:
Wow, some of these responses are surprising, and very snarky! I asked for no wrapping at my baby shower, not because I am lazy, unappreciative, tacky, etc. I asked for it because it is a green initiative. Wrapping presents, especially on huge items, is really wasteful. You just sit there and throw it all away.

I intend to sit there and go through the generous gifts and thank each person as I go through their gifts. It is becoming increasingly popular. Honestly, it also saves money for the guest by not having to buy paper, or bows, etc.

Are you very "green" in your everyday life? If you're not then, honestly, I think it's cr@p. If you truly are, then your nearest and dearest would already know this about you and you wouldn't need to put it on an invitation. But if I'm told someone wants to be environmentally friendly and I know they don't generally live their life that way and I walk into the room and see paper products and decorations and have seen that you registered for disposable diapers, well... I don't care how much you thank me, you are full of sh!t. (I'm speaking in general, not of you in particular)

Just because some phenomenon has increased in popularity doesn't make it polite.

TAU1980 · February 2012

kimikins79:
Wow, some of these responses are surprising, and very snarky! I asked for no wrapping at my baby shower, not because I am lazy, unappreciative, tacky, etc. I asked for it because it is a green initiative. Wrapping presents, especially on huge items, is really wasteful. You just sit there and throw it all away.

I intend to sit there and go through the generous gifts and thank each person as I go through their gifts. It is becoming increasingly popular. Honestly, it also saves money for the guest by not having to buy paper, or bows, etc.

What's bizarre, is you're absolutely giving these women the recognition they demand, but somehow "being green" really rubs people the wrong way - I think it unfortunately is still a political issue. I have hosted a number of shower and since I know that paperless showers are still a new concept and anger people, I instead will sit with the MTB and write down the gifts as well as fold up paper and tissue to be reused if it's in good condition. People still roll their eyes by that simple act. I think reusable gift bags are becoming more popular and that's what I tend to put gifts in - just an idea.

kimikins79 · February 2012

Liz4444:
kimikins79:

Wow, some of these responses are surprising, and very snarky! I asked for no wrapping at my baby shower, not because I am lazy, unappreciative, tacky, etc. I asked for it because it is a green initiative. Wrapping presents, especially on huge items, is really wasteful. You just sit there and throw it all away.

I intend to sit there and go through the generous gifts and thank each person as I go through their gifts. It is becoming increasingly popular. Honestly, it also saves money for the guest by not having to buy paper, or bows, etc.

Are you very "green" in your everyday life? If you're not then, honestly, I think it's cr@p. If you truly are, then your nearest and dearest would already know this about you and you wouldn't need to put it on an invitation. But if I'm told someone wants to be environmentally friendly and I know they don't generally live their life that way and I walk into the room and see paper products and decorations and have seen that you registered for disposable diapers, well... I don't care how much you thank me, you are full of sh!t. (I'm speaking in general, not of you in particular)

Just because some phenomenon has increased in popularity doesn't make it polite.

You're a peach. Pleasant and lovely comments. Regardless of whether it was directed at me personally. Have fun judging people the rest of your life.

Liz4444 · February 2012

kimikins79:
Liz4444:
kimikins79:

Wow, some of these responses are surprising, and very snarky! I asked for no wrapping at my baby shower, not because I am lazy, unappreciative, tacky, etc. I asked for it because it is a green initiative. Wrapping presents, especially on huge items, is really wasteful. You just sit there and throw it all away.

I intend to sit there and go through the generous gifts and thank each person as I go through their gifts. It is becoming increasingly popular. Honestly, it also saves money for the guest by not having to buy paper, or bows, etc.

Are you very "green" in your everyday life? If you're not then, honestly, I think it's cr@p. If you truly are, then your nearest and dearest would already know this about you and you wouldn't need to put it on an invitation. But if I'm told someone wants to be environmentally friendly and I know they don't generally live their life that way and I walk into the room and see paper products and decorations and have seen that you registered for disposable diapers, well... I don't care how much you thank me, you are full of sh!t. (I'm speaking in general, not of you in particular)

Just because some phenomenon has increased in popularity doesn't make it polite.

You're a peach. Pleasant and lovely comments. Regardless of whether it was directed at me personally. Have fun judging people the rest of your life.

I absolutely am judgemental, everyone is whether they want to admit it or not, but at least I could never be called a hypocrite.

kimikins79 · February 2012

Scout2005:
kimikins79:

Wow, some of these responses are surprising, and very snarky! I asked for no wrapping at my baby shower, not because I am lazy, unappreciative, tacky, etc. I asked for it because it is a green initiative. Wrapping presents, especially on huge items, is really wasteful. You just sit there and throw it all away.

I intend to sit there and go through the generous gifts and thank each person as I go through their gifts. It is becoming increasingly popular. Honestly, it also saves money for the guest by not having to buy paper, or bows, etc.

I'm asking in all seriousness: Will you be using re-useable plates, cups and flatware? Napkins, table cloths, and other linens?

Are you asking for disposable diapers or cloth? Cloth wipes or throw aways? Diaper genie or other diaper pail disposable liners?

I think the "green" excuse is generally just that, an excuse to hide another motive. Namely, MTB doesn't want to spend time opening the generous gifts supplied by her guests and giving those guests acknowledgement.

That is not true for everyone. But it's been true for all the "no wrap" showers I've been to, to be honest. And that is why you are reading "snark" in the replies here.

First, I am not reading snark into everything, it's pretty obvious, especially with the bleeped cursing.

As for being green, I am . My house has a special environmental wrapping (instead of a Tyvek) made of recycled jeans. We watch all of our utilities. I do not use paper products, generally, with the exception of a huge christmas party for which I could not get food and do dishes at the same time. I buy green cleaning products eventhough I don't think they work as well. I recycle everything and started a program at work since we didn't use any recycle bins.

As for diapers, I can't afford a diaper service to do cloth diapers. I plan to use the disposable. It is what it is.

Also, some of you ignored that I said I plan to sit down and go through all gifts, giving credit to everyone who so generously gave me a gift and came to my shower. I am not going to stand in front of the gifts and make a general announcement of thank you. It is not so that "they can spend more time with me."

I've been to plenty of these types of showers and I think they are great. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I was just shocked at how "aggressive" for lack of a better word, the responses were/are.

You're entitled to your opinion(s). I am entitled to mine. I disagree with most of the responses on this thread. My ability to express that is the beauty of an open forum message board.

TAU1980 · February 2012

kimikins79:
Scout2005:
kimikins79:

Wow, some of these responses are surprising, and very snarky! I asked for no wrapping at my baby shower, not because I am lazy, unappreciative, tacky, etc. I asked for it because it is a green initiative. Wrapping presents, especially on huge items, is really wasteful. You just sit there and throw it all away.

I intend to sit there and go through the generous gifts and thank each person as I go through their gifts. It is becoming increasingly popular. Honestly, it also saves money for the guest by not having to buy paper, or bows, etc.

I'm asking in all seriousness: Will you be using re-useable plates, cups and flatware? Napkins, table cloths, and other linens?

Are you asking for disposable diapers or cloth? Cloth wipes or throw aways? Diaper genie or other diaper pail disposable liners?

I think the "green" excuse is generally just that, an excuse to hide another motive. Namely, MTB doesn't want to spend time opening the generous gifts supplied by her guests and giving those guests acknowledgement.

That is not true for everyone. But it's been true for all the "no wrap" showers I've been to, to be honest. And that is why you are reading "snark" in the replies here.

First, I am not reading snark into everything, it's pretty obvious, especially with the bleeped cursing.

As for being green, I am . My house has a special environmental wrapping (instead of a Tyvek) made of recycled jeans. We watch all of our utilities. I do not use paper products, generally, with the exception of a huge christmas party for which I could not get food and do dishes at the same time. I buy green cleaning products eventhough I don't think they work as well. I recycle everything and started a program at work since we didn't use any recycle bins.

As for diapers, I can't afford a diaper service to do cloth diapers. I plan to use the disposable. It is what it is.

Also, some of you ignored that I said I plan to sit down and go through all gifts, giving credit to everyone who so generously gave me a gift and came to my shower. I am not going to stand in front of the gifts and make a general announcement of thank you. It is not so that "they can spend more time with me."

I've been to plenty of these types of showers and I think they are great. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I was just shocked at how "aggressive" for lack of a better word, the responses were/are.

You're entitled to your opinion(s). I am entitled to mine. I disagree with most of the responses on this thread. My ability to express that is the beauty of an open forum message board.

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Unless your house is solar-powered, don't even think about trying any of those "green" tricks to mask your laziness.

It's too bad you have to explain what you do in your everyday life to be better to the environment because you asked for no wrapping of the gifts. Every bit helps, it's not all-or-nothing. I appreciate your effort as well as not making me sit through the opening of 50 other peoples' gifts.

MidwestGidget · February 2012

Argh- I HATE the green excuse for this, and I do try to be somewhat green.

There are other alternatives to wrapping paper. Birthdays and Christmas is recycled brown bags or newspaper (all of which is recycled at the end of event anyway), or giftbags other people gave us that we keep. It's really NOT hard to wrap it in something else.

It's probably for some "display" shower thing. Not that that makes it right.

MidwestGidget · February 2012

TAU1980:
Every bit helps, it's not all-or-nothing. I appreciate your effort as well as not making me sit through the opening of 50 other peoples' gifts.

This last reason you gave, right here, is what gets people riled up at "no wrapping paper."

The opening of gifts is the raison d'etre of a shower. If you don't want to sit through opening gifts, then don't go.

TAU1980 · February 2012

MidwestGidget:
TAU1980:
Every bit helps, it's not all-or-nothing. I appreciate your effort as well as not making me sit through the opening of 50 other peoples' gifts.

This last reason you gave, right here, is what gets people riled up at "no wrapping paper."
The opening of gifts is the raison d'etre of a shower. If you don't want to sit through opening gifts, then don't go.

If no wrapping paper irks you so much, then you don't have to go.

kimikins79 · February 2012

TAU1980:
kimikins79:
Scout2005:
kimikins79:

Wow, some of these responses are surprising, and very snarky! I asked for no wrapping at my baby shower, not because I am lazy, unappreciative, tacky, etc. I asked for it because it is a green initiative. Wrapping presents, especially on huge items, is really wasteful. You just sit there and throw it all away.

I intend to sit there and go through the generous gifts and thank each person as I go through their gifts. It is becoming increasingly popular. Honestly, it also saves money for the guest by not having to buy paper, or bows, etc.

I'm asking in all seriousness: Will you be using re-useable plates, cups and flatware? Napkins, table cloths, and other linens?

Are you asking for disposable diapers or cloth? Cloth wipes or throw aways? Diaper genie or other diaper pail disposable liners?

I think the "green" excuse is generally just that, an excuse to hide another motive. Namely, MTB doesn't want to spend time opening the generous gifts supplied by her guests and giving those guests acknowledgement.

That is not true for everyone. But it's been true for all the "no wrap" showers I've been to, to be honest. And that is why you are reading "snark" in the replies here.

First, I am not reading snark into everything, it's pretty obvious, especially with the bleeped cursing.

As for being green, I am . My house has a special environmental wrapping (instead of a Tyvek) made of recycled jeans. We watch all of our utilities. I do not use paper products, generally, with the exception of a huge christmas party for which I could not get food and do dishes at the same time. I buy green cleaning products eventhough I don't think they work as well. I recycle everything and started a program at work since we didn't use any recycle bins.

As for diapers, I can't afford a diaper service to do cloth diapers. I plan to use the disposable. It is what it is.

Also, some of you ignored that I said I plan to sit down and go through all gifts, giving credit to everyone who so generously gave me a gift and came to my shower. I am not going to stand in front of the gifts and make a general announcement of thank you. It is not so that "they can spend more time with me."

I've been to plenty of these types of showers and I think they are great. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I was just shocked at how "aggressive" for lack of a better word, the responses were/are.

You're entitled to your opinion(s). I am entitled to mine. I disagree with most of the responses on this thread. My ability to express that is the beauty of an open forum message board.

Unless your house is solar-powered, don't even think about trying any of those "green" tricks to mask your laziness.

It's too bad you have to explain what you do in your everyday life to be better to the environment because you asked for no wrapping of the gifts. Every bit helps, it's not all-or-nothing. I appreciate your effort as well as not making me sit through the opening of 50 other peoples' gifts.

Lazy? Do you know me? Do you know that no one in my life would ever conceive of calling me lazy? Yet, some interweb stranger thinks she knows me enough to say that! Wow, do you know the lottery numbers for next week, since you know everything and all.

Also, since we're calling each other names...Oh wait, nevermind, I don't play in the sandbox with women like you.

Goodbye. Enjoy your pregnancy.

TheFutureMrsH2012 · February 2012

kimikins79:
TAU1980:
kimikins79:
Scout2005:
kimikins79:

Wow, some of these responses are surprising, and very snarky! I asked for no wrapping at my baby shower, not because I am lazy, unappreciative, tacky, etc. I asked for it because it is a green initiative. Wrapping presents, especially on huge items, is really wasteful. You just sit there and throw it all away.

I intend to sit there and go through the generous gifts and thank each person as I go through their gifts. It is becoming increasingly popular. Honestly, it also saves money for the guest by not having to buy paper, or bows, etc.

I'm asking in all seriousness: Will you be using re-useable plates, cups and flatware? Napkins, table cloths, and other linens?

Are you asking for disposable diapers or cloth? Cloth wipes or throw aways? Diaper genie or other diaper pail disposable liners?

I think the "green" excuse is generally just that, an excuse to hide another motive. Namely, MTB doesn't want to spend time opening the generous gifts supplied by her guests and giving those guests acknowledgement.

That is not true for everyone. But it's been true for all the "no wrap" showers I've been to, to be honest. And that is why you are reading "snark" in the replies here.

First, I am not reading snark into everything, it's pretty obvious, especially with the bleeped cursing.

As for being green, I am . My house has a special environmental wrapping (instead of a Tyvek) made of recycled jeans. We watch all of our utilities. I do not use paper products, generally, with the exception of a huge christmas party for which I could not get food and do dishes at the same time. I buy green cleaning products eventhough I don't think they work as well. I recycle everything and started a program at work since we didn't use any recycle bins.

As for diapers, I can't afford a diaper service to do cloth diapers. I plan to use the disposable. It is what it is.

Also, some of you ignored that I said I plan to sit down and go through all gifts, giving credit to everyone who so generously gave me a gift and came to my shower. I am not going to stand in front of the gifts and make a general announcement of thank you. It is not so that "they can spend more time with me."

I've been to plenty of these types of showers and I think they are great. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I was just shocked at how "aggressive" for lack of a better word, the responses were/are.

You're entitled to your opinion(s). I am entitled to mine. I disagree with most of the responses on this thread. My ability to express that is the beauty of an open forum message board.

Unless your house is solar-powered, don't even think about trying any of those "green" tricks to mask your laziness.

It's too bad you have to explain what you do in your everyday life to be better to the environment because you asked for no wrapping of the gifts. Every bit helps, it's not all-or-nothing. I appreciate your effort as well as not making me sit through the opening of 50 other peoples' gifts.

Lazy? Do you know me? Do you know that no one in my life would ever conceive of calling me lazy? Yet, some interweb stranger thinks she knows me enough to say that! Wow, do you know the lottery numbers for next week, since you know everything and all.

Also, since we're calling each other names...Oh wait, nevermind, I don't play in the sandbox with women like you.

Goodbye. Enjoy your pregnancy.

It appears to me that the only person guilty of snark here is Kimikins, and this is from a purely objective viewpoint. And I don't mean that in an "attacking" manner, I'm just simply stating. I guess I'll be flamed for saying that, but whatever. **And for the record, you CAN wash cloth diapers yourself, without a special "service." How do you think people did it before disposable diapers came out? Just saying...

Personally, I really don't know what to think about the 'no wrapping paper' request. When it comes to baby showers, I usually just put the items in a gift bag with some tissue paper, since they can be reused (and I'm not a "green" person-- I just like reusable gift bags, and my wrapping skills aren't the greatest). However, I don't think that one should take away the option of guests wrapping gifts. They spent the time and money buying you the gifts, they should be able to present them to you in the manner that they wish, whether it be ten layers of paper and an extra coating of packaging tape (which I would find hilarious, even at my own shower), or nothing at all. The "green" excuse doesn't fly with me.. you can always reuse the paper if the gift is wrapped.

Liz4444 · February 2012

TheFutureMrsH2012:
kimikins79:
TAU1980:
kimikins79:
Scout2005:
kimikins79:

Wow, some of these responses are surprising, and very snarky! I asked for no wrapping at my baby shower, not because I am lazy, unappreciative, tacky, etc. I asked for it because it is a green initiative. Wrapping presents, especially on huge items, is really wasteful. You just sit there and throw it all away.

I intend to sit there and go through the generous gifts and thank each person as I go through their gifts. It is becoming increasingly popular. Honestly, it also saves money for the guest by not having to buy paper, or bows, etc.

I'm asking in all seriousness: Will you be using re-useable plates, cups and flatware? Napkins, table cloths, and other linens?

Are you asking for disposable diapers or cloth? Cloth wipes or throw aways? Diaper genie or other diaper pail disposable liners?

I think the "green" excuse is generally just that, an excuse to hide another motive. Namely, MTB doesn't want to spend time opening the generous gifts supplied by her guests and giving those guests acknowledgement.

That is not true for everyone. But it's been true for all the "no wrap" showers I've been to, to be honest. And that is why you are reading "snark" in the replies here.

First, I am not reading snark into everything, it's pretty obvious, especially with the bleeped cursing.

As for being green, I am . My house has a special environmental wrapping (instead of a Tyvek) made of recycled jeans. We watch all of our utilities. I do not use paper products, generally, with the exception of a huge christmas party for which I could not get food and do dishes at the same time. I buy green cleaning products eventhough I don't think they work as well. I recycle everything and started a program at work since we didn't use any recycle bins.

As for diapers, I can't afford a diaper service to do cloth diapers. I plan to use the disposable. It is what it is.

Also, some of you ignored that I said I plan to sit down and go through all gifts, giving credit to everyone who so generously gave me a gift and came to my shower. I am not going to stand in front of the gifts and make a general announcement of thank you. It is not so that "they can spend more time with me."

I've been to plenty of these types of showers and I think they are great. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I was just shocked at how "aggressive" for lack of a better word, the responses were/are.

You're entitled to your opinion(s). I am entitled to mine. I disagree with most of the responses on this thread. My ability to express that is the beauty of an open forum message board.

Unless your house is solar-powered, don't even think about trying any of those "green" tricks to mask your laziness.

It's too bad you have to explain what you do in your everyday life to be better to the environment because you asked for no wrapping of the gifts. Every bit helps, it's not all-or-nothing. I appreciate your effort as well as not making me sit through the opening of 50 other peoples' gifts.

Lazy? Do you know me? Do you know that no one in my life would ever conceive of calling me lazy? Yet, some interweb stranger thinks she knows me enough to say that! Wow, do you know the lottery numbers for next week, since you know everything and all.

Also, since we're calling each other names...Oh wait, nevermind, I don't play in the sandbox with women like you.

Goodbye. Enjoy your pregnancy.

It appears to me that the only person guilty of snark here is Kimikins, and this is from a purely objective viewpoint. And I don't mean that in an "attacking" manner, I'm just simply stating. I guess I'll be flamed for saying that, but whatever. **And for the record, you CAN wash cloth diapers yourself, without a special "service." How do you think people did it before disposable diapers came out? Just saying...

Personally, I really don't know what to think about the 'no wrapping paper' request. When it comes to baby showers, I usually just put the items in a gift bag with some tissue paper, since they can be reused (and I'm not a "green" person-- I just like reusable gift bags, and my wrapping skills aren't the greatest). However, I don't think that one should take away the option of guests wrapping gifts. They spent the time and money buying you the gifts, they should be able to present them to you in the manner that they wish, whether it be ten layers of paper and an extra coating of packaging tape (which I would find hilarious, even at my own shower), or nothing at all. The "green" excuse doesn't fly with me.. you can always reuse the paper if the gift is wrapped.

The hilarious thing is, I think TAU was trying to defend Kimikins and flame the rest of us!

TheFutureMrsH2012 · February 2012

Liz4444:
The hilarious thing is, I think TAU was trying to defend Kimikins and flame the rest of us!

Shame on us for wrapping/gift-bag-concealing the gifts! The audacity we must have!

Liz4444 · February 2012

TheFutureMrsH2012:

Liz4444:

The hilarious thing is, I think TAU was trying to defend Kimikins and flame the rest of us!

Shame on us for wrapping/gift-bag-concealing the gifts! The audacity we must have!

Yup, we're awful!

patriciahomol · February 2012

this could go one of two ways for me

personally i HATE opening gifts in front of people. even if i truly love it i never know what to say or how to make my face look. so i could understand doing it for that

but on another note this looks really lazy and selfish.

im not sure how i feel about this.

chardonnay24 · February 2012

kimikins79:

As for diapers, I can't afford a diaper service to do cloth diapers. I plan to use the disposable. It is what it is.

I've been to plenty of these types of showers and I think they are great. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I was just shocked at how "aggressive" for lack of a better word, the responses were/are.

If you truly were "green", you'd know that there are more options for cloth diapers than a diaper service. That is the most ridiculous excuse I've ever heard. I purchased our cloth diapers, wipes, and accessories for about $500, and I'm using one of the more expensive options.

AND

People are aggressive because it is beyond rude to stipulate ANYTHING about a gift, be it where to buy it or how to package it. If people knew that you were so "green" that you would have been offended by gift wrap, they would have done it without being told. And if not, well, you smile and graciously accept their gift and their presence at your shower.

My son is not a fan of opening gifts yet so I had to sit there with him on my lap and open dozens of gifts at his birthday party yesterday. Did I enjoy it? No. But did it even cross my mind once to put on the invitation, "Hey, my kid isn't into unwrapping presents yet and I hate for your to waste the paper, so just bring the toys and throw them in a pile for him"? Absolutely not.

Want a personalized experience?

Why no wrapping?

Re: Why no wrapping?

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