is this a weird idea for "guest book"

Re: is this a weird idea for "guest book"

• mytwobabies

  April 2011

  Personally I am a huge supporter of building children's libraries. For every gift I give I add a book or two. I like your SIL's idea about asking guests to bring a book. If someone doesnt want to bring one they wont and I dont think it is asking too much. Borders always has excellent clearance deals and you can easily find a $2 book. Ask guests to write the baby a short note on the inside cover of the book they buy so it will be a sentimental gift. I dont think anyone, even someone on a tight budget would think it is asking too much, especially if that is what mom wants.

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• pam1005 member

  April 2011

  I would just do your idea and if they want to sign a book they will.  My hostesses left out a copy of Goodnight Moon for my guests to sign if they wanted and most of them did.  

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• dana1318a

  April 2011

  I don't like the idea of asking guests to bring anything specific, and personally I think if someone wants books at their shower, they should register for them.  I think your alternative of providing the books yourself sounds like a nice idea, but it could definitely get expensive for you on top of the other costs associated with throwing a shower.  I think it just depends on what you're comfortable spending.  Maybe if you don't want to spend almost $100 on books, you could just have more than one person write a message in each book so that you can get the number down. Good luck!

  

  11.10.10 from my belly to my heart at 11wks 5days

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• RachieTK member

  April 2011

  I would personally buy one special book and pass it around for all of the guests to sign.  There should be plenty of room between the inside covers, title page, etc. to fit it all.

  

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• huskerfrk05

  April 2011

  I love the idea.  I did this for my sister in Nov. and many people brought a book and some didn't.  On the invitation we mentioned a new or used children's book.  Some guests had older kids which they gave one of their favorite books. I didn't feel like it was rude asking specifically to bring a book.  Like a previous poster said if they don't want to they won't.  By the way my sister was so appreciative that we did that for her.  Do It!!

  

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• rhubarb123 member

  April 2011

  I like your idea the best.  I would never requests guests bring anything specific, even a book.  Besides I've gone to shower that have requested that and I'd say about 1/2 the guests 'forgot".  The way you want to do it...everyone will be able to sign a book.  I don't think it would take too long.  Just have a basket of unsigned and a basket for signed books.

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• cozylittlecave

  April 2011

  RachieTK:

  I would personally buy one special book and pass it around for all of the guests to sign.  There should be plenty of room between the inside covers, title page, etc. to fit it all.

  This! Plus, a lot of people might feel put on the spot writing a special message if they have the entire front inside cover for just themselves. I would feel like a longer message was necessary than something super-brief. Sharing 1 book makes it easy for guests who want to write more and those who'd like to just sign. I'd feel really awkward just signing a whole book if I hadn't brought it myself.  

  (I'm in the 'don't ask people to bring specific gifts' camp. If you do, you might offend/annoy some. If you don't, you won't offend anyone.) 

  
  
  www.cozylittlecave.com

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• shaena1407

  April 2011

  My friend actually did this at my shower. She bought a ton of books and had labels made that said something like "This books belongs to (DS's name). It was a gift from (shower guest's name). Special Message: (space to write a message).

   It was super cute, everyone who came got to pick their favorite book to give to us (they also brought regular presents too if you're wondering), and we got like 15 books to start our library!

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• tigli22

  April 2011

  I went to a shower like this, where they requested that each guest bring a lil' golden book, and they actually went as far as assigning each guest the specific book to bring.  Even given that, I didn't mind.  The mother-to-be was a librarian, so it made sense, and I thought it was cute.  When I attend someone's baby shower, it's someone I care about (you shouldn't be inviting guests who don't feel that way about the mother-to-be!), and I don't mind putting forth effort to give them something they'll appreciate.  We all know showers are for receiving gifts.

  I would recommend that you put something on the invitation inviting guests to bring a new/used children's book in lieu of a card.  Most greeting cards these days cost $3 - $4 anyways, so why not get a book that will actually get some use!

  As others have said, if someone doesn't want to bring a book, they won't.  And if you word it as an *option* rather than a *requirement* on the invitation, I don't think it seems tacky at all.

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