Raffle question

AlenEdgar · January 2010

Soooo, what do you girls think of having everyone bring a pack of diapers (unwrapped) to the baby shower and for each pack they get a raffle ticket which enters them in a raffle to win a gift certificate or something of that nature...aaaand, if you think there is nothing wrong with that what would be an appropriate way of putting that on the invitation? Adding a little slip of paper that says "Bring a pack of diapers (unwrapped) and get entered in a raffle!"? I went to a baby shower in which they did that, but not sure what other people might think of that....

Thanks for the help

EastCoastBride · January 2010

Obviously it's optional, and if people are used to it in your area, people may not think twice.

But as a shower is inherently saying "buy the mom to be a gift!", to then also ask that they buy diapers on top of their gift.... I'm just not a fan. I feel like it's pushing people's generosity.

bjmyangel · January 2010

My friend just had her shower last week and she had a raffle. It was at the bottom of the invitation and said "optional" and then something about the diaper raffle. My shower will also have a diaper raffle. I don't remember how they worded it on the invitations, but it is typed at the bottom, something along the lines of "Bring a pack of diapers and get a chance to win a prize."

RoxyLynn · January 2010

I've only ever seen raffles for charities. The guests are already bringing a gift, isn't it asking an awful lot to ask them to bring diapers as well?

Elisha&Anthony · January 2010

I think it's a good thing to do. My cousin had this at her baby shower last August and I plan to do the same thing at mine. It does say that it is optional. And when i've seen people look at the baby shower invite I gave them, they told me it was a really good idea. HTH

HopingForOne · January 2010

I think it's asking too much of people.

I also think it's impractical. You could get 20 packs of newborn sized diapers that your little one outgrows in a week; you could get a bunch from a brand that doesn't work for your child.

Where I live, I've never seen a pack of diapers for less than 14$, so I think it's quite an extra expense. And I also think that "raffles" are for fundraisers and charities.

nooniesgal · January 2010

So you would like people to bring a gift and then spend an extra $10 on a pack of diapers so they can win a prize? I think this is one prize I would not win.

hopefulmom · January 2010

I really don't care if people do this (although it might be a hardship for some guests) and I've participated in such. I have noticed, however, that when these are done at showers the mom-to-be does not get many bigger ticket items. I think that is because they are thinking...OK, $10-15 for diapers and now I've got maybe $20 left for the gift. KWIM?

EastCoastBride · January 2010

hopefulmom:
OK, $10-15 for diapers and now I've got maybe $20 left for the gift. KWIM?

DItto this 100%. That's the other reason I don't like it. When I'm going to a shower, I have a budget. If it's $50, if I take part in the raffle, the diapers are coming out of that budget. The mom to be isn't going to get as much of a gift from me

And while I feel a diaper raffle is asking for more on top of already asking for a gift, the diapers do often come out of the gift budget - not added on top of it.

AlenEdgar · January 2010

Thanks girls...those are the same things that make me feel torn between doin it or not...some people think it's a great idea, I don't want to ask for too much, and having it come from their gift budget...hmmm, guess I'll continue to think about it...Thanks though

I appreciate the input

mysticporter · January 2010

If it was optional, it wouldn't particularly bother me, but it would certainly come out of my gift budget.

mlkwmu · January 2010

I wouldn't feel right doing that. If someone did it and I wanted to participate I would probably just take it out of the gift budget I had. So I guess it all depends on whether or not you wanted more money spent on your registry list or diapers. Just my opinion.

noutzimou · January 2010

I actually just got an invitation for a friend's shower who is doing this. They actually put the info on the BACK of the invitation, and it says "Baby Shower Raffle: bring any of the following items to be entered into the raffle. Each item is one raffle ticket: wipes, diapers or formula. Prizes include gift certificates, basketball tickets, and more"

I suppose if you word it so that people don't feel they are buying you yet another gift just to win a raffle, that its something small (like a small container of formula for 5 bucks, or a wipes refill pack for 2 bucks), they are more likely to participate and still bring a nice gift on top of it. I think it's a cute idea as long as its handled right so people don't feel pressured to spend more than they would prefer.

ydda · January 2010

I'm planning to do a diaper raffle. I'm putting something in the invite like, 'For a chance to win a special prize, bring a package of diapers in any size.' We're planning to spend $75-$100 on the 'special prize.' <we're also doing a special prize raffle to disclose the genders> If people don't want to participate they don't have to, and my feelings will not be hurt. A lot of people ask for books instead of cards...I've never heard a complaint about that and it's an extra expense as well.

I'm having twins so I will be very appreciative of anybody who brings diapers. I understand that money is tight so if all they can do is bring diapers, that is absolutely fine. More important than gifts, I just want my friends/family there to celebrate!!

vangirhl · February 2010

In our area the diaper raffle is pretty common. If you're concerned about stretching guests' generosity, how about a box of baby wipes raffle instead. They cost less and can be used at any diaper stage. My cousin did this at her shower, and it seemed to work out pretty well.

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