I don't mind the book instead of card suggestion. Didn't happen at either of my showers but I've attended a few that mentioned it on the invite. It's never been "strictly" books over cards, just a suggestion. I usually do it now even if the invite doesn't say so, because I think spending money on cards is a complete waste to begin with. I usually stick to under $10 for a book. For me, it's doable.
Shout out to my MI people...had a delicious Vernors ice cream float last night and I'm most definetly making another one again today. SO yummy.
Late to the party, but I have no problems with the book instead of card thing. I love when DS pulls a book of the shelf and then he notices the note on the inside cover and asks me to read it to him. It's a nice memory for me and then he usually asks a bunch of questions about who the person is (if it's not someone he sees all the time) and we can talk about some extended family that might not be around all the time.
As a teacher, I tend to give at least 1 book as part of my gift anyway, so it just saves me the $ on a card.
I just found out my mom is throwing a sprinkle for us. While I was at one for my friend yesterday, our oblivious mutual friend was checking her facebook and very loudly questioned "who is _____? I just got an event invite from them." Obviously my mother was trying to keep it a surprise, and my fabulous friend instantly blew it. I am not down with the sprinkle trend, but with DH out of work still, who am I to turn down gifts if people want to buy them. The annoying part? She asked me to send her a link to our registry (we created a couple for our own use to get the completion discount/amazon gift box/etc and to just keep a running list of what we still need). I feel super awkward sharing them with people.
For the record, I like you guys. And I always learn something lurking your board. Hopefully you don't mind some of us venturing over here to get a break from the crazy...
For the record, I like you guys. And I always learn something lurking your board. Hopefully you don't mind some of us venturing over here to get a break from the crazy...
For the record, I like you guys. And I always learn something lurking your board. Hopefully you don't mind some of us venturing over here to get a break from the crazy...
Nope not allowed. Y'all July-ers ain't welcome in these parts.
I have scrolled past this thread so many times thinking that reading the mess on July was enough weight related nonsense for one pregnancy. Saw the comment in the fffc and thought "hmmm maybe not all is as it seems...". Turns out I never should have doubted, thanks for the awesomeness.
Just here to report that I bought 10 boxes of girl scout cookies today. Those thin mints stand no chance against me...I'm about to be like a woodchipper and eat them by the sleeve. ROUND AND PROUD!
I see how it can be seen as asking for something extra but considering most baby books don't cost that much more than a standard card, I saw it more as "if you were going to get a card we'd love a book instead." It's still up to the guest to make the choice and I don't think that request removes that choice. I did add a ton of books to my registry so people can absolutely choose to just get books and not make it something additional. However, I've never been the type of guest to care all that much if people ask for something specific. I've been invited to several weddings where the couple already lived together and didn't really need a bunch of sheets and towels so they asked people to contribute to experiences if they so desired. I didn't take it as "how dare you tell me don't spend my money on a knife set" but more as "great, I can contribute to this couple's celebration in a way that's meaningful for them," which is the whole reason I'm spending my money in the first place. If stating a preference for something I'll actually use with my baby instead of people spending money on something that will sit in a box is tacky, I'm ok with that.
Exact same feelers here! I hate giving/receiving cards (DH doesn't even give them to me anymore). Spending $3-$6 on something that is going to get thrown away seems like such a waste to me.
My mom chose to do both the book instead of a card and the diaper raffle for my upcoming shower- neither of which are a mandatory thing especially since most of my family gives these things at showers anyhow, including myself. She plans on using this as one of the raffles since she's against shower games anyway.
My sister requested books and included book plates like the old school library cards into the invite for my shower with DD.
Many people wrote on the book plate and just didn't attach it, in case we got duplicate books. It was a SUPER sweet project for me to read and attach each of those plates into the books.
I can't wait for DD to get old enough to ask for those to be read as a part of the books.
some people bought her "antique"/used versions of their fave books from childhood. This means DD has a library of books for all different ages and LOTS of sentimental value
Suuuper late to the party but just want to add my two cents about the book thing.
If I learn anything at all on TB, every single day, it's this:
No matter what you do, someone is probably going to think you are an asshole for doing it. Seriously: No. Matter. What. I might send a baby shower invite with a cutesy poem about how nice it would be to get a book instead of card, if you are inclined, and now I know because of this post that guaranteed, someone is going to be offended by it and/or think I am demanding it and I would have never ever expected that reaction. I would be totally oblivious that anyone would be bothered by it. It's just so interesting to see how every single subject proves that someone is going to be offended by something.
I say this because I have been to MANY baby showers and I love love love the book thing. It is blowing me away that anyone is bothered by it. As someone who had it done for her shower, and almost 7 years later is still regularly picking out books with notes from loved ones, even ones who have already passed on, and someone who has happily given many a book in lieu of a card, I can't imagine thinking it was rude to throw this out there. In fact, I don't even care if it comes off as a request. We all know you are going to get a card. Pretty much everyone buys a card so to ask that that money gets spent in a better way is not rude to me. And yes, some people get cheap cards that don't touch a book price, but a lot of us are spending $5 on a card and there are a lot of kid books that are $5. And if they spend $5 more on a book than they would have on a card, then spend $5 less on the rest of my gift! Books are wonderful - add a special note to baby and mommy, even better!
Re: Weight Gain-midway point check in!
Shout out to my MI people...had a delicious Vernors ice cream float last night and I'm most definetly making another one again today. SO yummy.
DH: 29
DS: 18 months 4/2/2015
Baby #2 EDD: 6/1/2017
Also general update: I mad milkshakes on both Thursday and Friday last week. It was amazing.
As a teacher, I tend to give at least 1 book as part of my gift anyway, so it just saves me the $ on a card.
I just found out my mom is throwing a sprinkle for us. While I was at one for my friend yesterday, our oblivious mutual friend was checking her facebook and very loudly questioned "who is _____? I just got an event invite from them." Obviously my mother was trying to keep it a surprise, and my fabulous friend instantly blew it. I am not down with the sprinkle trend, but with DH out of work still, who am I to turn down gifts if people want to buy them. The annoying part? She asked me to send her a link to our registry (we created a couple for our own use to get the completion discount/amazon gift box/etc and to just keep a running list of what we still need). I feel super awkward sharing them with people.
Oh and don't forget the spelling/grammar police that just showed up.
For the record, I like you guys. And I always learn something lurking your board. Hopefully you don't mind some of us venturing over here to get a break from the crazy...
Now feel free to join us in today's activity...
I kid i kid. Join in the stepfords. :-)
ROUND AND PROUD!
My mom chose to do both the book instead of a card and the diaper raffle for my upcoming shower- neither of which are a mandatory thing especially since most of my family gives these things at showers anyhow, including myself. She plans on using this as one of the raffles since she's against shower games anyway.
Many people wrote on the book plate and just didn't attach it, in case we got duplicate books. It was a SUPER sweet project for me to read and attach each of those plates into the books.
I can't wait for DD to get old enough to ask for those to be read as a part of the books.
some people bought her "antique"/used versions of their fave books from childhood. This means DD has a library of books for all different ages and LOTS of sentimental value
If I learn anything at all on TB, every single day, it's this:
No matter what you do, someone is probably going to think you are an asshole for doing it. Seriously: No. Matter. What. I might send a baby shower invite with a cutesy poem about how nice it would be to get a book instead of card, if you are inclined, and now I know because of this post that guaranteed, someone is going to be offended by it and/or think I am demanding it and I would have never ever expected that reaction. I would be totally oblivious that anyone would be bothered by it. It's just so interesting to see how every single subject proves that someone is going to be offended by something.
I say this because I have been to MANY baby showers and I love love love the book thing. It is blowing me away that anyone is bothered by it. As someone who had it done for her shower, and almost 7 years later is still regularly picking out books with notes from loved ones, even ones who have already passed on, and someone who has happily given many a book in lieu of a card, I can't imagine thinking it was rude to throw this out there. In fact, I don't even care if it comes off as a request. We all know you are going to get a card. Pretty much everyone buys a card so to ask that that money gets spent in a better way is not rude to me. And yes, some people get cheap cards that don't touch a book price, but a lot of us are spending $5 on a card and there are a lot of kid books that are $5. And if they spend $5 more on a book than they would have on a card, then spend $5 less on the rest of my gift! Books are wonderful - add a special note to baby and mommy, even better!
Me: 36; DH: 38
DD: 7; DS1: 4; DS2 due 6-21-17!
**TW**
MMC & D&C Aug 2016
Not sure that either are relevant here though....