Need wording help...

shugs-n-sweets · September 2011

Hi ladies. I'm working on a shower invite for a friend. They are doing the book in lieu of a card idea. I'm stuck on how exactly to word it. I like the starting of it, but I don't know how to make the ending sound better. Any ideas/suggestions are greatly appreciated. They are having twins.

"In lieu of a card, you are invited to bring a children?s book with your message written inside for the childrens? future library collection."

Cranang · September 2011

Just so you know, this will not go over well here on this board, for the most part.

I do understand the reasoning behind this. However, a book is much more expensive than a card. So basically you're asking people to buy an additional gift on top of the generous gift they're already bringing.

rhubarb123 · September 2011

There are several poems if you google.

I agree with the other pp...asking for any particular gift is look at as being tacky (it is not proper etiquette to tell the guests to get a certain thing). Even though you can get a dollar store book for the same price of an inexpensive card (most people don't though) it is still against etiquette to tell them to do so. When I've been invited to showers that do this I get a $7-8 book and deduct that amount from what I would pay for the gift. Also, I will NEVER write in a book so I get a card anyway. Besides, what if they get 3-4 of the same book? Can't take them back if people have written in them...kwim?

BTW...some people don't even get a card...they just write a little message on a piece of the wrapping paper (so you are assuming everyone plans to purchase a card when that might not be the case - now you are telling them instead to purchase a book).

Liz4444 · September 2011

You don't word it at all. You don't tell people what to buy. If someone wants to buy books for the child, they will and if MTB really wants to build up her child's library, she can register for books or buy them herself.

ColoradoAlly · September 2011

I know that the book instead of a card idea is very tempting - after all who wouldn't want to receive a book instead of a card? My mom was going to do this for my baby shower (our theme is bookworm baby so it fit in perfectly), but ultimately I just wasn't comfortable asking people to bring an additional gift and so my mom dropped it. You might want to run the idea by the mom to be (if you haven't already) to see if she's ok with this.

If she is and you decide to go ahead with it, I think your wording is fine. Maybe even enclose a book plate (is that what those things are called?) with the invitations where guests can write their messages and then stick them into the books.

shugs-n-sweets · September 2011

I totally understand where everyone is coming from with this being potentially tacky. I did it for my shower (same family will be involved as friend) and everyone thought it was a great idea. No one around there had ever heard of it. With how much cards are costing these days, you can get books for the same price.

Thanks for your input, nonetheless.

klreese0213 · September 2011

I know a lot of people on TB don't like the baby book idea. It's pretty norm in my circle of family and friends. i have never been offended to bring a book or diapers. however, i could see how someone would. but it's optional not mandatory.

My sister did baby books in lieu of cards for my shower. she used this poem:

I want to be a bright child
As smart as I can be.
That is why I`m hoping
My mom will read to me.
If you plan to bring a card
Please take another look,
I would like to learn my ABC`s
From your favorite storybook.
Please sign your name
As your personal touch.
Baby ________ thanks you
Beary, beary much.

mommabear17 · September 2011

shugs-n-sweets:
I totally understand where everyone is coming from with this being potentially tacky. I did it for my shower (same family will be involved as friend) and everyone thought it was a great idea. No one around there had ever heard of it. With how much cards are costing these days, you can get books for the same price.

Thanks for your input, nonetheless.

People aren't going to tell you that they think you're rude and tacky to your face.

EvenAngelsFall · September 2011

rhubarb123:

BTW...some people don't even get a card...they just write a little message on a piece of the wrapping paper

Now THAT is tacky...!!!!!!!

GatorWedsNole · September 2011

You can always make it optional and part of a raffle. I recently recieved an invite that included an OPTIONAL diaper raffle. You might be able to do the same with books. Instead of doing the whole "in lieu"of, you "if you'd like to participate in the optional book raffle, please bring a book for the baby's library"

mommabear17 · September 2011

The addition of the word "optional" and the promise of a chance at some prize does not negate the tackiness and greediness of this whole concept of asking guests to bring other presents on top of what they were already going to buy.

mypreciouscargos · September 2011

I've seen this ALOT: "In lieu of a card, bring a favorite storybook to help build baby?s first library!"

just us 4 · September 2011

I am hosting a baby shower, I thought it would be cute to add this wording on a book marker invitation I made on vista print. I also like the poem from above-------------- Cards are nice, with their thoughts and prayers. They're read once or twice, and 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 Israel and Keyonte, please give a book with your thoughts in the cover. Your book will be cherished, as God will watch from above. When it's read to the baby they will remember who gave it with love.

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