Is this normal for a baby shower?

Christakim · February 2011

I'm not sure if I'm being hormonal or if this really is ridiculous but in addition to the gift you presumably get for a shower, is it presumptuous to add on the invitation that "if you bring a package of diapers, you could win a prize"?

Now if this said book or something, I could understand because you could bring a book you already own that has meaning or find a good deal somewhere, but a package of diapers seems kind of steep in addition to the present you get the person.

I'm obviously going to this baby shower and making her quite a nice diaper cake (mostly presents in it, not diapers) and was wondering what everyone's take is on this. I'm probably just being stupid about this, but it kind of rubbed me the wrong way.

browneyedgrl4282 · February 2011

I have seen it at showers before but you don't have to bring more diapers. It is kinda of like wishing well but they call is Diaper pail instead!

It reminds me of what we did for our cousins shower, we asked people instead of buying cards to give her a book and right a note in it to the baby! THe baby has bookcase full of books now!

qtpa2t · February 2011

Sounds a bit peculiar to me, and as a somewhat blatant coercion to bring diapers.

jds0521 · February 2011

I've seen it before, but I rarely ever bring diapers in addition to the gift. It's for a raffle prize, so if it's no biggie to you to not be entered for the prize, then just ignore it. It's just a matter of people's preference & how they do things. I wouldn't have asked anyone to do that for my shower, but all people aren't the same, ukwim?

sasa625 · February 2011

Yeah, that wouldn't go over well with me. If I'm already spending money on a gift, I really don't want to have to feel like I need to spend another $10 on diapers. But I wouldn't want to look cheap, so of course I'd feel like I have to do it. A lot of people may just get a less expensive gift and then add the diapers on top of it.

I do like the idea of using a book as a card, and I wouldn't mind that at all. But diapers are expensive

preheatedoven · February 2011

I co-hosted a shower this past weekend and one of the other hosts insisted that we ask people to bring a pack of wipes and do a prize drawing. I would say about 1/3 of people brought wipes.

krissyh21 · February 2011

People do it, I don't like it. Usually, I deduct the amount I plan on spending to include the diapers.

Christakim · February 2011

sasa625:
Yeah, that wouldn't go over well with me. If I'm already spending money on a gift, I really don't want to have to feel like I need to spend another $10 on diapers. But I wouldn't want to look cheap, so of course I'd feel like I have to do it. A lot of people may just get a less expensive gift and then add the diapers on top of it.

I do like the idea of using a book as a card, and I wouldn't mind that at all. But diapers are expensive

This exactly.

LMK8605 · February 2011

My friend did this at hers. Personally I brought diapers but then figured it into total amount I had budgeted for her gift overall (ie: she got a smaller actual gift)

PhillySue · February 2011

Yes I have heard of this before and I am not a fan because I think it is kind of stupid. I generally spend less money on the gift then I normally would to put towards the diapers. I do very much like the bring a book idea.

Christakim · February 2011

It does make sense to take it out of the total gift, but I already bought a bunch of stuff for her diaper cake.

I buy enough diapers lately. I don't want to buy another package that isn't for me lol

kristinamh6 · February 2011

A lot of the showers I've been to lately have done this. They call it a diaper drive, and the new mom really makes out with diapers. One of my friends didn't need to buy diapers for over a year! That being said, I'm not really a fan. I do feel obligated to bring the diapers, but sometimes I forget or don't have time to get them. Embarrassed

I agree with pp about deducting the cost of the diapers from your overall gift budget, or you could just skip it. No one should really notice who does and doesn't bring them.

JustaKidAtHeart · February 2011

It is the norm here. I have only been to 1 shower in the last 5 years that hasnt done this. It doesnt bother me at all. If I have my heart set on a bigger gift I dont do the diapers but if i want to play for the prize I bring a smaller gift. no biggy.