Would so love to trade some onesies for bottles, or diapers, or anything else...

Sarahcakes29 · October 2011

DH & I have been generously given a lot of baby clothes as gifts. I really do appreciate the folks who lovingly chose something nice (onesie or pjs or whatever) and went out of their way to give us something they probably thought would be really helpful. I washed our clothes to start organizing the nursery yesterday, and realized that we have 34 onesies *just* in the 0-3 month range. Hardly any had gift receipts, many have annoying sayings that I pretty much hate. There are also quite a few items labeled "newborn size" which may or may not fit the baby as we're told he's measuring a little big and we both have a family history of having big babies. I bought one single set of footie pjs in my first trimester for fun, and now regret even doing that.

We're having one official co-ed baby shower next weekend. We registered (NO clothes on the registry), the info was on the invite, but for whatever reason almost none of the items have been purchased. At the risk of sounding really, really ungrateful (and feel free to call me out if I am), I so wish there was a kosher way of asking people who want to give us gifts to steer clear of clothes. To top it off, I got another 0-3 onesie in the mail from MIL today despite the fact that I showed her our nursery recently and she even remarked that we seemed to be "totally set" on baby clothes. It's from a really high-end baby boutique, is organic cotton and has a cute design, but really, for the money it costs...I could SO use a big box of diapers or an activity gym or anything else. We're on a tight budget, and I'm a really practical person anyway, so while the clothes are nice I'd just as soon have bought them used or shopped around for good deals instead of designer stuff when we need essential baby items. I know we'll be making a few big trips to buy stuff ourselves (we are adults who planned the baby, after all) and have saved up for it, but still...some gift receipts would really help.

Anyway, this probably sounds like a really ungrateful, bitchy vent, and maybe it is. This is exactly why I am a fanatic about sticking to registries (especially if not many items have been purchased) and almost always go for practical over cute (e.g., I'm the one who buys diaper pails, bottles, crib mattress covers, etc. for this very reason.) I'm considering asking my mom to gently mention to anyone who asks (and only those who might ask) that we've been given a lot of clothes already...is this totally awful of me?

Adanessa · October 2011

I'd say not at all... I made sure not to put any clothes on my registry for that reason... because I know all the people who are going to ignore my registry are going to buy clothing, which is great... I love baby clothes but nothing from my registry has been bought (Yes I peek >.<) and I'm starting to worry too. My baby shower is next weekend and unlike you this was a suprise baby and I simply don't have the money for half the items on my registry Embarrassed

I'd say as long as you don't mention it yourself. If people are going to ask you or your mom what you might want then you should definitely tell them what you want! There's no shame in that.

giamarie05 · October 2011

I saved a lot of clothing from our first daughter, so my mom has been telling the whole family not to buy any clothing. I don't think it is rude at all. I think people want to buy you what you need, but then get all caught up in how cute the little onsies and outfits look. If they know ahead of time that you are already set with that kind of stuff I think they will be less likely to buy them.

Augustbride · October 2011

don't wash any more of the clothes you get. You can take them back to a Khols or Macy's type store without a reciept as long as they sell the brand. You will get store credit. Khols sells baby gear on their website not in the store but it might help you get a few things.

Watch Amazon for diapers I paid 25.00 for a box of 220 size 1/2 pampers swaddlers so you can get great deals.

shabamwam · October 2011

I didnt put onseies, or bibs, or socks or recieving blankets, on my registry b/c i figured EVERYONE would be buying that. I surprisingly didnt get any!

ashleylach · October 2011

Depending on where you registered, if you registered at Target you can return ANYTHING that someone has bought you whether it was on your registry or not. I'm not sure about Babies R Us, but its worth a shot.

If you're having a hard time distingushing where people bought stuff, feel free to post pictures and I'm sure we can help you! I received a ton of onesies at my shower and I returned 5 packages of them because I knew I wasn't going to use them. Like you said, you can buy that stuff at consignment stores or garage sales for way cheaper.

littlewinnie15 · October 2011

I guess I'll be the only one to say it... but just a reminder that people do not HAVE to buy you anything. Registries are a nice guideline to give people an idea of what you need, but people are not going to always buy off of it... especially, I've learned, for a baby. Be grateful that you received gifts - some people aren't lucky enough to get showers, or gifts at all.

But I get your frustrations. I know you're not trying to be ungrateful. And, if I were you I would also stop washing to clothes and try my best to figure out where they came from and return them if you get any more!

KellyD3678 · October 2011

I am actually having a similiar problem. At my first shower I received most of my larger items and some clothes but I was also given bags upon bags of clothes that were hand me downs on top of the new things. So we are pretty set on clothes. My DH family is having a shower for me next weekend so I am hoping I get some sheets and more practical things but am worried that I will get a lot more clothes. I am grateful for any gifts any one would like to give me for LO, but having to return some items might be difficult if they don't have receipts. I guess I will see what happens.

sccalla · October 2011

Do you have a kids consignment shop near you? You might be able to make some money for other necessities by consigning some of the extra clothing.

jnealet · October 2011

If I liked it or not, I took back all the clothes that I received at my shower. I had to take some of them to a couple of stores to figure out where they came from, the big ones I could tell from the tags but I had more than enough clothes from hand me downs and the 3-4 that I bought myself.

I used the store credit to buy the things that I needed. At BRU, we had enough in store credit, gift cards and our completion coupon to get what we needed to close the registry, we spent maybe $70 out of pocket.

I totally agree with you that clothes are cute but its the gear that you really need.

HollyBerry25 · October 2011

We sound a lot alike! I also buy things like diapers and wipes as gifts for others. I almost feel like it is presumptuous of me to buy something not on someone's registry, because I feel like they know what they like and want and need, and that's the whole point of the registry! I did tell my mom to tell anyone who asked not to buy us any clothes, but still ended up getting a good amount anyway (no gift receipts). Just gotta smile and add them to the stash!

purple4u · October 2011

I got a lot of stuff for my showers that I didn't register for or want. I simply took some time to figure out where they were from and returned them. We are team green and you would not beleive the amount of baby boy stuff we got from clothes to blankets to toys. Most of the stuff was from BRU, or Target and didn't have gift receipts

I was able to get gift cards for the returns and was able to purchase a ton of things from my registry that way. Right now we have about 10 onesies, 5 sidesnap shirts and 10 outfits. I have washed none of them. I bought all of that stuff and kept the receipts . I am almost certain that I am having a surprise shower at work coming up soon. I suspect I will get a lot of clothes onesies pacifiers and such. I plan on keeping what I need and returning, regifting or donating the rest

MommaErica · October 2011

I don't think there is a kosher way to come out out say "please don't get X, I really want Y" The best you can do is make your preferences known to the shower hostess and hope that she passes this info on IF people ask her for it. Otherwise, the gift that gets given is entirely at the discretion of the gift GIVER.

FWIW, I've read posts from people who come off as completely ungrateful and entitled. You really DON'T sound that way. I get it, you just don't need more than 34 onesies. However, you sound like you will at least appreciate the intent and thought behind the gifts if you do get another 34 at the next shower.

You can try and exchange these things with out a receipt, you can sell them to a consignment store or on Craig's List if you can't return them. You won't get much that way but, you'll get something. Or, see if there is a local baby item swap board in your community. It actually looks like The Bump has a "swap spot." I've never checked it out but, maybe it can hook you up with someone who got 34 boxes of a brand of diaper they hate and no onesies at their shower.

In terms of the ridiculous high end baby boutique stuff from grandma to be, buying that stuff is rite of grandma passage. Just smile and make sure that one gets worn at least once. Preferably for a picture.

Sarahcakes29 · October 2011

Thanks for the ideas and feedback. I do feel really grateful that we are having a shower, and that we got so many nice gifts (guess all my family/friends just tend to think alike...) Update is: I did some research and was able to return $20 worth of merchandise to Kohl's which morphed into The First Years Breastflow bottles, a carseat toy and pacifiers. Target was AWESOME and took a bunch of Gerber stuff, no questions asked. So from that, I bought some diapering supplies, breast pads, and a Boppy which was really helpful. Feeling better about things, but still strong in my resolve to be the girl with the diaper pail and nipple cream at the showers I attend.

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Would so love to trade some onesies for bottles, or diapers, or anything else...

Re: Would so love to trade some onesies for bottles, or diapers, or anything else...

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