Crabby post - baby showers

colorschemer · May 2011

Sorry if I'm just being crabby, but I don't understand the baby shower complaints, like these things are some sort of inconvenience.

I mean, let me get this straight. Someone else throws you a party where you are the guest of honor. The sole purpose of this party is to give you presents? And there are this many ways to complain about this?

DH brought home a present from his coworker the other day. It is two outfits, size 18m, that are totally not my style. But you know what? That made me really happy because it meant that someone cares enough about my silly little family to buy LO a present.The same sort of happy people should feel when someone throws them a party, I would guess.

Yes, people are jerks and don't RSVP and bring their kids and eat all the food and don't buy off of your registry and make passive aggressive comments. But as long as they're mostly well intentioned (you know, it's not all an evil plot to make you suffer) then I don't get how it is so awful.

Then again, I have one baby shower on Saturday so I guess we will find out. Okay, stepping off my soapbox now.

Noelle2375 · May 2011

Yes

I don't get it either. Some people are just really selfish I guess.

kgunz11 · May 2011

Yes

Far too many people in this world have an "entitlement" attitude...

GracieLou Freebush · May 2011

Amen.

I am sooooo sick of adult women whining like children about their showers. Be grateful, chill out, and move on with life.

leighzlou · May 2011

Complaints about gifts I find very irritating and whiney. Seriously, grow up! You should have planned to have to buy everything before you go KU!

I understand being a little ticked off that people don't RSVP though. Obviously it doesn't directly hurt me because I'm not the host, but it does make the life of the host difficult. I would hate to think that my lazy and rude friends/family are making life hard for someone who graciously offered to throw me a party to celebrate my baby.

FordFalcor · May 2011

ITA.

Just the awareness that someone went to a store, thought of our little family enough to purchase something (on or off registry) means loads to me. Money is tight for a LOT of people these days so be grateful for anything you get! And if they show up at your shower empty-handed, who cares? They like you enough to get dressed, get in their car, and be there.

I had a shower on Saturday. Yes, silly things were said and non-registry items purchased and in-laws actions prompted an eye roll or two - but my husband and I had a blast! He even got teary-eyed when he thanked everyone for coming and showing their love for our family.

mlspiel · May 2011

I totally agree with OP...I am sick of it too! Nobody HAS to buy you anything at all! Just be grateful for what you get.

pixiegirl131415 · May 2011

ITA. I had 2 showers this weekend, and we got tons of non-registry stuff (mostly clothes) but who cares? I got to see a bunch of family I don't see often, got some good food (some of it too good) and overall just got to have a fun time! I have a few friends who want to throw me another one, and I told them all I really want is for them to come over, have pizza, and maybe bring a favorite kids book or something. Who cares what you get, the point is to spend time with people who care about you!

flowers2424 · May 2011

Agreed. It has gotten a little out of hand. I was thankful not only for the gifts that I received, but that people took the time out of their day to celebrate my baby and I.

cwrightdrv · May 2011

This was my UO today, and it looks like it wasn't as unpopular as I thought!

gmc222 · May 2011

I agree, but have a slightly different opinion. I do get annoyed when people buy you something slightly different than what's on the registry, then you have duplicates and no gift receipts. I have an aunt who is infamous for doing this....instead of buying you the Baby Bullet you registered for, she'll get the Babacook (or whatever its called) and then you have two things that do the same thing. Then it makes the person who bought you the Baby Bullet feel bad. This is a random example.

Now, I would NEVER express this frustration, I'm always very grateful that they bought a gift, I just wish some people would understand the concept of a registry. Although I got very few gifts off my registry at my shower, I felt everyone was extremely generous and my thank-you notes will reflect this.

mbritto4 · May 2011

bunnybiter · May 2011

Everyone is entitled to a bad day where they find something to complain about. People complain here because it's anonymous and because its the internet where you can easily ignore comments that aren't inline with your thoughts.

I do understand the frustration about all the shower posts. But I'm willing to bet the people that do complain here don't complain to anyone else because of the above.

I like what gmc222 had to say:

gmc222:
I agree, but have a slightly different opinion. I do get annoyed when people buy you something slightly different than what's on the registry, then you have duplicates and no gift receipts. I have an aunt who is infamous for doing this....instead of buying you the Baby Bullet you registered for, she'll get the Babacook (or whatever its called) and then you have two things that do the same thing. Then it makes the person who bought you the Baby Bullet feel bad. This is a random example.

Now, I would NEVER express this frustration, I'm always very grateful that they bought a gift, I just wish some people would understand the concept of a registry. Although I got very few gifts off my registry at my shower, I felt everyone was extremely generous and my thank-you notes will reflect this.

shauna78 · May 2011

Oh my gosh - I feel the same way. I don't expect ANYONE to buy us gifts. I'm having a total of 3 baby showers and I feel grateful (and slightly guilty) about all 3. I'm the one who chose to have this baby (well my husband and I) and we are the ones responsible for buying the things that our baby is going to need. Do I appreciate when someone buys us something from our registry? Of course. But I'm not upset when I receive something different. It's a gift and it's the thought that counts (in my opinion)!

colorschemer · May 2011

gmc222:
I agree, but have a slightly different opinion. I do get annoyed when people buy you something slightly different than what's on the registry, then you have duplicates and no gift receipts. I have an aunt who is infamous for doing this....instead of buying you the Baby Bullet you registered for, she'll get the Babacook (or whatever its called) and then you have two things that do the same thing. Then it makes the person who bought you the Baby Bullet feel bad. This is a random example.

Now, I would NEVER express this frustration, I'm always very grateful that they bought a gift, I just wish some people would understand the concept of a registry. Although I got very few gifts off my registry at my shower, I felt everyone was extremely generous and my thank-you notes will reflect this.

Freecycle! Though I did have to unsubscribe to my local group list because a third of the posts were from people trying to get rid of their pets and that we just depressing.

google123 · May 2011

Thank you for posting this, I find it extremely selfish and annoying as well. Even if you get duplicates, can you not return or exchange the item? If not, save it and re-gift or sell it on craigslist.

PinupMomma08 · May 2011

ITA. Stores take returns, right?

What's funny is that I am stoked about the gifts were going to get, seeing as i have nothing so far.

What's funnier is listening to my beast in-laws having an s-fit about whether or not they will each have enough sandwiches to eat, and if their prime cake choice was picked. By the way, I have no idea, my girlfriends are throwing it. They even called me to ask if they should eat first to make sure they will be full enough. Wth, lol. They are ridiculous. Its hilarious. But I'm stoked they will show up and support. Plus I know they are going in on something, so I'm really excited to see what it is.

Nothing to complain about per se, but either way I will buy all the big stuff after my shower and walk around Target with my registry after the fact and get everything else. Ain't no thing.

yellowbirdandco · May 2011

gmc222:
I agree, but have a slightly different opinion. I do get annoyed when people buy you something slightly different than what's on the registry, then you have duplicates and no gift receipts. I have an aunt who is infamous for doing this....instead of buying you the Baby Bullet you registered for, she'll get the Babacook (or whatever its called) and then you have two things that do the same thing. Then it makes the person who bought you the Baby Bullet feel bad. This is a random example.
Now, I would NEVER express this frustration, I'm always very grateful that they bought a gift, I just wish some people would understand the concept of a registry. Although I got very few gifts off my registry at my shower, I felt everyone was extremely generous and my thank-you notes will reflect this.

No one is throwing me a shower. I don't feel entitled, but I do wish someone would

On the flip side, DH I have a VERY limited living space, and not a lot of money. So I do wish that people would just stick to the registry, because honestly, it's more efficient, it's what we've read hundreds of reviews on, and the items are exactly what we need help acquiring. I made sure that everything was affordable, well reviewed, safe, and would fit in our house.

So I definitely understand how someone could get frustrated about getting 30 little tacky, expensive outfits in the same size or disposable diapers when they're doing cloth or 3 highchairs that are different brands but all do the same thing. Worse are the things that are second hand that shouldn't be, like car-seats or what have you. And receipts are not always included.

And I don't care if you're wonder woman, the hassle of selling items on craigslist or going through a million customer service returns is not a gift but quite frankly the opposite of one.

So no, I do not always think it's selfish to rant anonymously on an internet forum about it. Almost every post on here is a rant of some sort, and in my opinion, that's okay! Because how would it be possible to gather a bunch of stressed out ladies together in one anonymous place and not hear a bunch of bitching? LOL

amygoable · May 2011

It's so true that people find so many things to complain about. People just need to have lower expectations. At my shower (for DS) I got very few gifts off the registry, plenty of clothes, and some random stuff. I found use for all of it, and even if stuff wasn't my style, it was nice just to have some extras and to know someone saw something they thought was cute and thought of my little boy. I think at this point we've all learned that people (a) have no idea what's appropriate or not to say to pregnant women, (b) buy babies whatever they feel like buying them, registry be darned, and (c) often have confusion about event etiquette. It doesn't make them horrible people (except that one post about the parents/grandparents bullying their own kids/grandkids), and that's why we sigh about it on TB and forget it.

sallydraper · May 2011

leighzlou:
Complaints about gifts I find very irritating and whiney. Seriously, grow up! You should have planned to have to buy everything before you go KU!

I understand being a little ticked off that people don't RSVP though. Obviously it doesn't directly hurt me because I'm not the host, but it does make the life of the host difficult. I would hate to think that my lazy and rude friends/family are making life hard for someone who graciously offered to throw me a party to celebrate my baby.

This. I've hosted so many parties and showers, I can't help get annoyed at the rsvp thing. But overall ITA with you.

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