What do you guys think?

dee1369 · September 2010

My mom was working on my shower invitations yesterday and I asked her to include the following:

"In lieu of store-specific gift cards, please purchase Visa Gift Cards."

My reasoning is basically that if I allow for store-specific gift cards I'm going to end up with 25 WalMart ones - we got like 1,000 of them for our wedding - and I want to be able to use any gift cards I might get on things like my breast pump and other items I need that I don't receive at the shower, many of which aren't registered at WalMart.

I don't want to feel like I'm taking peoples' options away but then again I don't want to end up with soooo many WalMart cards like I did before. Apparently my family loves to give them, and they're useful, but even with this on the invitation I'm sure I'll receive a couple.

What do you think?

srleine · September 2010

In my opinion, it is fine! I've gone to several showers requesting gift cards, or saying gift cards welcome, so I don't see w hat is wrong with specifying what kind of gift cards.

liladelphia215 · September 2010

I personally wouldn't do this. IMO it is a little tacky, and seems ungrateful for the gifts (or gift cards) the guests would give you.

If I got an invitation like this I would wonder why you want a visa gift card, and worry you would use it for something not related to baby, but I guess a Walmart card won't guarantee a baby purchase, either.

Mrs.HMommy · September 2010

I think its completely fine. Whats the difference between saying that and letting people know your registered at such and such a store and basically telling people what to buy u? Does that make you seem ungrateful for the other gifts people give? IMO no. Agreed that getting a Target or Walmart GC doesn't gaurentee a baby purchase so whats the difference. Just FYI at Target you can buy Visa gcs with Target gcs and some Walmarts allow it to. Only reason I know this is because I work in a sales position and get lots of GCs for contests.

Anyhoo I think your good I agree with your reasoning.

Annabelle0211 · September 2010

I absolutely would not include that. Just be happy with whatever gift cards you get!

ReeseM · September 2010

I have to vote no. I understand your reasoning, but I think it's tacky. The only mention of gifts should ever be: Mom is registered at _______

Sorry! I am a wedding planner, and I get these questions all the time. I mean, it's your call in the end, and some people won't care, but I know my family and friends would laugh to read that!

janecanadian · September 2010

I'm not sure if it's the way you worded it or what but something seems tacky there. I'm pretty sure it's the way you say "please purchase". I usually don't get offended too easily when it comes to invites and such but this would bug me. As the guest, I get to choose what to give you!

What if you come up with some sort of a clever rhyme to say that if they don't find anything on the registry, Visa gift cards are the gift of choice.

TempeWick · September 2010

I would also be turned off by this on an invite. You might consider spreading the word through family members, but I wouldn't print that anywhere.

mylesmomma · September 2010

What about registering for gift cards wherever you do your registry?

KLiz09 · September 2010

I agree that I would be put off by that. I would just register for what I needed or not say anything at all and be grateful for what I receive.

GracieMaeLovey · September 2010

it's a sticky sitch, but i wouldn't do that- most likely, it'd rub me the wrong way if i received an invite with that specific wording.

GoMommy · September 2010

I think its fine! Thats the point of reg. right, to get what you want? I'd see no problem in that at all!

hawkilady · September 2010

I would say dont do this - I think its tacky and greedy. Don't register at Walmart and hopefully people will get the hint. Also have your mom spread the word verbally that you would prefer gift cards to xyz or visa instead of walmart because they dont offer what you want to buy.

kmares · September 2010

I think it is tacky. You should be happy with what you get. Prepare yourself you are going to get many gifts that you did not register for.

bunnie712 · September 2010

I wouldn't include it. Not everyone knows how to get the Visa gift cards (think older aunts and gradmas). The last thing you want to do is frustrate your guests or confuse them.

Take $300 of Wal-mart cards that you would spend on your pump and spend it on groceries. As long as you have the integrity to keep the baby funds/baby funds, try to make things as easy as possible for your shower guests.

Gift cards can sometimes be a pain to keep track of or remember to use, but at the same time, it's a gift and a nice one since in the end you can get what you really want. The shower is and isn't all about you at the same time. Be an easy guest of honor and everyone will be happy. Be happy they care enough to attend - that's what it really should all be about - IMO.

laurapalmer · September 2010

I agree that it's a bit tacky, I would leave it off the invitation.

dee1369 · September 2010

I have gone back and forth on this for a while now, which is why I asked. My husband and mom both thought it was fine but I feel like someone in my drama-riddled family will pitch a fit. Hell, I have people fighting over who is buying what on my registries, and I hate drama (and am trying to keep things low-stress for myself!).

I'll figure out some way to deal with it if I get a bunch of WalMart gift cards - I'm not giving the option of buying them on the registry (you can choose that) but am giving the option on the other one, which carries my pump. Hopefully that will help. If not, I'll figure something out.

Me, I don't care what an invitation says, but some people do.

Think Positive · September 2010

If you put that on there I would word it like this: Registered at Baby's R Us and Target and Visa Gift Cards welcome.

I think it comes off a little better that way:)

AnneEB · September 2010

I don't really have an opinion of whether it's okay or not, but I wanted to add that I got some Visa gift cards for my birthday and they were a PITA!! You can't spend more than the card is worth without the cashier ringing it up separately (if the total is $65 and your card is worth $50, she has to ring it up as $50, then do a seperate transaction for the remaining $15), you have to keep track of exactly how much is left on each card, and it costs the buyer extra money to buy them as opposed to gift cards from somewhere specific. I will never buy them/use them again. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

dee1369 · September 2010

That's good wording.

DoubleFlyaway · September 2010

I would be uncomfortable with that myself.

Here's the thing... even if you do end up with a lot of Walmart gift cards, you can use them on whatever you want, baby-related or not. There's plenty of stuff you can get at Walmart over the course of the next year; groceries, toilet paper, office supplies, whatever. Just spend whatever cash you would have spent on those items on your baby items instead.

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