Baby Shower Book Idea

kriszty2 · August 2011

Hi Ladies,

I need some help on this Baby Shower idea. I would like people to bring their favorite childhood book to build the Babys library and they could write a note to the baby on the inside cover. I am inserting a seperate card within the invitation to say where I am registered and was hoping to include the book thing on it as well.

Here is my dilema. The book would be in addition to their gift if they choose to partake in it. How do I word that as to not sound gift "grabby" and that people understand that it is optional and not in place of the gift. I can just see my husbands family being like "oh she only wants a book, ok"! LOL.... Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank You!

Julia_JJ · August 2011

Well, it *is* kind of gift grabby - I don't think you can say "I really want you to bring a book in addition to the other gift you were bringing" without sounding greedy. If you want the book shower, throw the book shower; if people bring other gifts, swell. If you want the other gifts, don't also ask for books, or have two showers.

Belichick · August 2011

kriszty2:

Hi Ladies,

I need some help on this Baby Shower idea. I would like people to bring their favorite childhood book to build the Babys library and they could write a note to the baby on the inside cover. I am inserting a seperate card within the invitation to say where I am registered and was hoping to include the book thing on it as well.

Here is my dilema. The book would be in addition to their gift if they choose to partake in it. How do I word that as to not sound gift "grabby" and that people understand that it is optional and not in place of the gift. I can just see my husbands family being like "oh she only wants a book, ok"! LOL.... Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank You!

I'm sorry, how is this not gift grabby? You can say it's optional, but you are not only asking guests to bring a book in addition to their gift, you are actually concerned that your H's family would only bring books.

As others have said, if you want books, put them on your registry. There is no way to ask guests to bring more than one gift that doesn't sound tacky/ gift grabby.

Glitzyklm · August 2011

I have seen this done at a shower and in the invite it said instead of a card please bring your favorite childhood book with a message to share with baby.

karaknr · August 2011

I love the idea but one: I personally think that it's strange for the mother-to-be to be making the invites and throwing her own shower. That in and of itsself seems gift grabby. Two: it pretty much is gift grabby. The only thing I would even do if I wanted this is call it a "Build the babies library" shower. But you might have several, maybe all the guests, bringing only books and you cant be upset with that. If you want just regular gifts, have a regular shower. I think the only time this kind of idea can work without offending people is for a shower specifically for people your age. Like a friends only shower. Older people will be pretty peeved that you required them to buy anything specific at all in the invite.

Another alternitive would be for YOU to purchase many baby books and set them out and have each guest pick a favorite to write a message to your baby in. I might even do that. But that way youre making your LO's book collection special by commemorating all the people that were excited about his/her arrival.

Kamiegrace1 · August 2011

Glitzyklm:
I have seen this done at a shower and in the invite it said instead of a card please bring your favorite childhood book with a message to share with baby.

This is what my cousin is putting on the invite for the shower she is throwing me (her idea, I told her she can do whatever she wanted).

2gr8pits · August 2011

There are sayings out there to bring their favorite book in lieu of a card in which you would just throw away and a book will be cherished forever is the point. I am going to do a wishing well, where people can bring an additional item, unwrapped burp cloth, bib, bottle, book, pacifier, etc and put in the "wishing well" and if they do then their name will be entered into a raffle for a gift basket at the party. We have done this with all my friends with items from diapers to books to whatever else they request.

My point, google what you want to do and there are sayings that are cute and people get the point! If not, then they will look silly at your shower with no gift!

karaknr · August 2011

RedheadBaker:
2gr8pits:

There are sayings out there to bring their favorite book in lieu of a card in which you would just throw away and a book will be cherished forever is the point. I am going to do a wishing well, where people can bring an additional item, unwrapped burp cloth, bib, bottle, book, pacifier, etc and put in the "wishing well" and if they do then their name will be entered into a raffle for a gift basket at the party. We have done this with all my friends with items from diapers to books to whatever else they request.

My point, google what you want to do and there are sayings that are cute and people get the point! If not, then they will look silly at your shower with no gift!

Who would show up to a shower with no gift? People know the point of a shower is to "shower" the mother-to-be with gifts.

A gift is also the giver's choice. The mother-to-be, nor the shower hostess, should be specifying what gift the giver brings. If the mother-to-be would like books, she should register for them, so that if the giver chooses to shop off her registry, they know that she would like books.

Yes

Belichick · August 2011

RedheadBaker:
2gr8pits:

There are sayings out there to bring their favorite book in lieu of a card in which you would just throw away and a book will be cherished forever is the point. I am going to do a wishing well, where people can bring an additional item, unwrapped burp cloth, bib, bottle, book, pacifier, etc and put in the "wishing well" and if they do then their name will be entered into a raffle for a gift basket at the party. We have done this with all my friends with items from diapers to books to whatever else they request.

My point, google what you want to do and there are sayings that are cute and people get the point! If not, then they will look silly at your shower with no gift!

Who would show up to a shower with no gift? People know the point of a shower is to "shower" the mother-to-be with gifts.

A gift is also the giver's choice. The mother-to-be, nor the shower hostess, should be specifying what gift the giver brings. If the mother-to-be would like books, she should register for them, so that if the giver chooses to shop off her registry, they know that she would like books.

Well said.

nykki16 · August 2011

https://www.babyshower101.com/baby_shower_invitations_3.html

This website has some good ideas. I do not think that it is gift-grabby. It is a great idea and I have been planning on doing this since I had heard the idea. I hope to continue doing this for my LO's birthday party's. It's a great idea!!

Qmommy · August 2011

This is what my mom put in my shower for my DD:

Although cards are nice with their sentiments and prayer,

They're read once or twice then tucked away with care.

A book is a treasure, words and pictures unite read over and over to teach and delight.

So instead of a card for baby and mother,

Please give a child's book with your thoughts in the cover.

By signing your book, we will remember and share your special gift, even when you're not there.

And this is what I put in my SIL's baby shower:

If a gift you wish to bring,
Please remember this one thing,
Cards may be nice
As they're read once or twice.
A book is a treasure,
which gives longer pleasure.
So in place of a card for baby and mother,
Please use a book with your thoughts in the cover.

Oh and I didn't get any duplicate books. Not everyone participated and that's okay with me.

kriszty2 · August 2011

Qmommy:

This is what my mom put in my shower for my DD:

Although cards are nice with their sentiments and prayer,

They're read once or twice then tucked away with care.

A book is a treasure, words and pictures unite read over and over to teach and delight.

So instead of a card for baby and mother,

Please give a child's book with your thoughts in the cover.

By signing your book, we will remember and share your special gift, even when you're not there.

And this is what I put in my SIL's baby shower:

If a gift you wish to bring,
Please remember this one thing,
Cards may be nice
As they're read once or twice.
A book is a treasure,
which gives longer pleasure.
So in place of a card for baby and mother,
Please use a book with your thoughts in the cover.

Oh and I didn't get any duplicate books. Not everyone participated and that's okay with me.

Thanks for your thoughts. I like the wording!

I am ordering the invites, but they do not say that I am hosting the shower. I am a Wedding Planner and planning is my life, so I prefer to do a lot of it on my own

kriszty2 · August 2011

RedheadBaker:
kriszty2:

I am ordering the invites, but they do not say that I am hosting the shower. I am a Wedding Planner and planning is my life, so I prefer to do a lot of it on my own

So who is listed as host? Who do the guests RSVP to?

The hosts and RSVP's are listed to my mom and MIL.

bendylim · August 2011

My best friend did this for her baby shower and I didn't perceive it as 'gift-grabby' at all. I was not able to attend the shower (it was scheduled for my due date) so I don't know how many people brought books, but I sent her 4 or 5 along with some items from her registry.

Just an idea too- I have found most of DS's books at the local Salvation Army(usually 25 cents each) and Used bookstore (under $2 a book) for super cheap. It just takes a little time to look through the books to make sure they aren't colored all over or ripped, but super cheap way to fill a library.

EvenAngelsFall · August 2011

Glitzyklm:
I have seen this done at a shower and in the invite it said instead of a card please bring your favorite childhood book with a message to share with baby.

Agreed. Maybe its a regional thing, but this is very common here, if not expected. No one bats and eye or considers it gift grabby. (Likewise, every bridal shower around here always includes a wishing well.)

uncharch7 · August 2011

EvenAngelsFall:
Glitzyklm:
I have seen this done at a shower and in the invite it said instead of a card please bring your favorite childhood book with a message to share with baby.
Agreed. Maybe its a regional thing, but this is very common here, if not expected. No one bats and eye or considers it gift grabby. (Likewise, every bridal shower around here always includes a wishing well.)

It's also very common where I'm from. It's not as common where I live now, but everyone who has asked about a shower (no one has followed through on throwing one) has asked my opinion on what I'd specifically like and I said the only thing I really, really want is books.

Want a personalized experience?

Baby Shower Book Idea

Re: Baby Shower Book Idea

Choose Another Board

Search Boards