Opinions on registry cards in shower invitations

zachswife91809 · March 2012

What do you think of putting the little cards in invitations that say where you are registered at?

I'm torn on this. Part of me thinks it sounds gift-grabby, and part of me thinks that the point of a shower is to "shower" the parents-to-be with baby gifts, so it's acceptable.

Some people just buy random things, but I usually try to buy something off the registry for others since I know it's something they want and will probably use. I find it helpful if there's registry information included, but maybe that's just me. I don't want to be rude.

What's your opinion?

sarahbella42 · March 2012

As a shower goer, I would much rather know where someone is registered than have to guess and end up getting them something they don't like. At the same time, I know some people just assume word of mouth will get out the info. I'm wondering the same thing for my shower - so thanks for asking!

mswood1977 · March 2012

Every babyshower invite I have ever seen included the registery information. Usually it was part of the invitaiton at the bottom. Something like "Jane is registered at ......"

LittleApple · March 2012

I think it is fine. People like to know where you are registered for baby stuff.

mlf625 · March 2012

I think the "rules" about that are changing. It used to be a major faux pas, but really, it's practical to just give people that info. I just co-hosted a shower for SIL and the co-host who made the invites printed the info right on the invite.

skyejo · March 2012

mlynne37wiu:
I think they are fine. I've seen registry cards in an invitation and I've also seen invitations with wording at the bottom that says, "Sarah is registered at..." How else are people supposed to know where you are registered? Some people argue that if people really want to know where you are registered then they will call the hostess, but to me that is just a waste of everyone's time.

All this. I get annoyed when I get an invite without registry info because then I have to try to figure it out on my own.

EGMphoto · March 2012

Technically the etiquette says that this a big no-no, (guests are supposed to ask the hostess) but as others have said, it's changing. Most people include that information now. I'm not surprised when I see it. I think it's slightly less tacky to just print it (nice and small) on the invite, as opposed to including those cards. They look like advertisements for the stores.

zachswife91809 · March 2012

I never really thought about just putting on the invitation somewhere not as obvious. I can see why the cards would be more obnoxious. Thanks ladies!

Andreabks · March 2012

all of the showers i've been to the past few years have either had something on the bottom of the invite, or a card added in. don't know if this is a CA thing, but i don't see an issue with it. I mean, ppl do it with weddings too.

judahsmommy1 · March 2012

I like the idea of putting it on the invitation. Those little cards fall out and then people have to go hunt for them. Since the shower is supposed to be about getting the mom to be gifts, it's not a big deal. While, yes, it might be easy to google, depending on who the invitations go out to, some ladies may not be as computer literate, and would have more difficulty doing that.

monksmama · March 2012

Every invite I have received has had either a card enclosed or the registry information listed right on the invite.

Call me old-fashioned but I do think it looks a little tacky. Obviously I'll bring a gift, it's a shower and I would be shocked if the recipient is not registered at one of the big four. (depending on where you live, BRU, BBB, Target or wal-mart if you are in the middle of nowhere)

aaimee · March 2012

Every shower invite I've had, both baby and bridal, have had either words on the invite itself or the cards.It saves me the hassle of figuring out where they are registered, if anywhere. Me personally, I get tired of hearing 'well it's proper etiquette' blah blah blah. Times have changed. It's more accepted for people to have kids before marriage, but heaven forbid you screw with the 'shower' gods, ya know?! LOL. My hostess is including the info right on the invites for my shower.

But to each their own.

olsentobe · March 2012

All the showers I have been to both bridal and baby always had them in it. My bridala nd baby shower did as well. My mom also plans on putting it in for my sprinkle as well.

Makes it much easier for the people attending, imo.

Lou&Beth · March 2012

As the guest to showers, I really prefer them to just put the info in with the card. Saves a step for everyone and saves time for the host to not have to answer a bunch of calls and tell everyone where you are registered. Makes life easier. And yes, it is a shower, that's the point of it to bring gifts for the parents.

Jumpin4joy · March 2012

I guess I'm old fashioned. I do not like the idea of the registry info included either on the invite or in the envelope. If someone cares enough about you to go to your shower, they will/should RSVP. It's at that time, should they care to know, that they ask the hostess if the mom-to-be is registered and where. Even though gifts are commonplace, it feels tacky to be so presumptuous as to expect a gift let alone tell them where to buy me one.

I realize manners and social niceties are at an all time low and that I probably sound stiff and judgemental. I'm not! I just feel embarrassed to ask for gifts. )

brideandbreve · March 2012

Personally, I'd rather registry info be left off any shower invitations for me, but I've seen plenty of friends whose invites included it. I'll admit, it's a lot more convenient than having to get in touch with the hostess, but I'd rather follow etiquette than offend anyone.

I actually got a wedding invitation that included registry cards back in late 2010. I was kind of stunned. I guess it's becoming more common to put that info out there.. but I thought putting it in a wedding invite was pretty bold (read: rude).

dani2480 · March 2012

Showers are meant to be gift-giving occasions, and it is the only time where it is considered acceptable to include registry information/expect gifts. Including the cards is perfectly fine. And, based on my experience, not including registry information with shower invitations is likely to lead to confusion amongst guests. If people prefer not to purchase from a registry, they can choose that whether the registry info is included or not.

Emily Post advises the same.

dani2480 · March 2012

TheMcCombies:
Technically the etiquette says that this a big no-no, (guests are supposed to ask the hostess) but as others have said, it's changing. Most people include that information now. I'm not surprised when I see it. I think it's slightly less tacky to just print it (nice and small) on the invite, as opposed to including those cards. They look like advertisements for the stores.

That's not true. At least not in the case of showers. Most major, respected etiquette guides say that it's perfectly fine to include registry information (for showers only) on a separate enclosure with the invitation. And they have for years.

punkrockabye · March 2012

Ours has it right on the bottom. "Emily and Andrew are registered at Amazon -- www.amzn.to/****" with a custom URL I made to accomplish two things: amazon registries are a PITA to find imo, and a small URL including out last name is preferable to the huuuuuge string of characters that amazon gives you for your unique address.

If I got an invite with no registry info, I'd pick up a pack of onesies and call it a day. If I'm told where to look, I'll get something from the registry because I'd want to spend money on something that's needed and specifically wanted.

CuteBride8808 · March 2012

my mom is just telling people if they ask , or if they respond yes to the shower , she is saying "in case you are interested, she is registered at x,y,z"

ccam · March 2012

mswood1977:
Every babyshower invite I have ever seen included the registery information. Usually it was part of the invitaiton at the bottom. Something like "Jane is registered at ......"

This!

Grins04 · March 2012

Mine had it printed really small on the back. I don't see anything wrong with registry info.

JFluvsJD80 · March 2012

My mom and sister put the little Babies R Us cards in with the invitation. Every invitation I've ever gotten (bridal or baby) has included one of these or a note on the bottom. Not tacky at all, in my opinion. It's helpful.

dufferoo · March 2012

dani2480:

TheMcCombies:
Technically the etiquette says that this a big no-no, (guests are supposed to ask the hostess) but as others have said, it's changing. Most people include that information now. I'm not surprised when I see it. I think it's slightly less tacky to just print it (nice and small) on the invite, as opposed to including those cards. They look like advertisements for the stores.

That's not true. At least not in the case of showers. Most major, respected etiquette guides say that it's perfectly fine to include registry information (for showers only) on a separate enclosure with the invitation. And they have for years.

But then Miss Manners (major and respected!) would say it's totally rude to print the info OR enclose the cards! To each his own, but I think it's a little pushy to include the info with the invite. It's one thing to have a registry available to those who want it, but IMO if you announce the info without being asked, it doesn't seem so optional.

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Opinions on registry cards in shower invitations

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