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Gift etiquette question: Should I acknowledge gifts sent before the shower?

FarmvilleLoverFarmvilleLover
in Baby Showers

My shower is next weekend and several gifts have been sent already, to my home.  Some are very generous gifts, for example, our stroller, infant seat, convertible seat, PNP, and others.

The gift givers will be at the shower, but I don't think they expect me to bring the gifts to the shower to open there.  Right? 

Should I acknowledge them after I've opened gifts? Individually or as a group?  Just kind of wondering about the etiquette on that.  These friends aren't showboats so I know they aren't looking for any special recognition but I would like to say thank you in addition to the TY cards I've sent.

WWYD? WDYT?

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Re: Gift etiquette question: Should I acknowledge gifts sent before the shower?

  • EastCoastBrideEastCoastBride member

    First, no, I wouldn't bring the gift to open and I doubt they would expect you too. Otherwise, what was the purpose in shipping it to you? 

    Second, I get your desire to acknowledge them.  My mother gave me a LOT of stuff before the shower and as it was my mom and just one person, I did day a little something about how much I appreciated everything they've helped us out with so far.

    But realistically - your other guests really aren't going to care.  People don't really come to a shower to find out what others got you.  They just want to see THEIR gift opened. 

    If they give you another gift (I wouldn't be surprised if they give you something small), as I open it and give my thanks, I might also say "Oh, and thanks for the stroller too!".  It's not making a big deal out of it, but you are acknowledging it.

    If they don't give you anything else, I'd find it weird to say "Oh, and thanks to ___ for giving me ___". 

    "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
    ~Benjamin Franklin

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  • FarmvilleLoverFarmvilleLover

    Thanks, that makes sense.  I guess they knew they'd be coming to my shower and for my convenience sent it to my house directly.  I just feel kind of compelled to also thank them in front of everyone for the gift they sent.  Just don't know whether that's appropriate or whether to specify what it was.

    Kind of weird for me.

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  • Ashley&ScottAshley&Scott
    I don't know if this would be appropriate, but you could make little cards with a picture of the gift & their names to set on the gift table. That way you can recognize them & "display" their gift without actually bringing it to the shower. 
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  • LaurenWaltonLaurenWalton
    You don't need to bring those gifts to the party but I would work in recognition while you are opening other gifts.  For example "oh this diaper bag will hook on the stroller Mary gave us perfectly, Im so excited to use it!". And make eye contact with Mary and the diaper bag giver with a big smile.
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  • sanriobabysanriobaby
    I just had my baby shower last wknd and had to deal w/this very thing. As soon as I was done opening my gifts, I made it a HUGE point to acknowledge everyone who was there/wasn't that sent me gifts beforehand. I even had a list written down just so that I wouldn't forget anyone or their gift. It was really important to me to acknowledge this and it made for a really nice way to show all of my appreciation for not only my baby shower, but for all the love and generosity given by my guests at the end of my baby shower. 
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  • kerischraderkerischrader
    I just had to deal with this with my first shower and will have to again in a few days with my second one. When I saw those who had sent gifts to my house at the shower, I gave them a big hug and thanked them personally for the generous gift of "xyz". They usually had already received a thank you card in the mail as well.
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  • CharlyneCharlyne
    I will likely end up bringing gifts received beforehand with me to the shower to open. People normally just send it to the address on the registry, which is generally the MTB. But that may be a family thing as well. My cousin took the gifts she was sent beforehand to the shower to open (her mother wrapped them before she got to see them) and seeing the photos of her opening my gift made me feel like I was there and a part of it.
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  • LilyMonster2010LilyMonster2010 member
    Oh gosh, I've totally gone over broad buying for my cousin (a whole stash of cloth diapers!). And decided to give them to her early so she can familiarize herself, and so everyone doesn't see how overboard I went! And I'm still making her a ring sling and baby blanket, that she'll get at her shower. So I hope she doesn't point out how MUCH I've already gotten her. And I know she's very grateful. (can you tell we havent had any babies for 25 years?!)
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  • tracey0310tracey0310
    I will not be bringing the gifts to the shower, but I fully plan on recognizing the gifts and gift giver while opening the rest. 
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