Baby Showers
dznuts
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Invitation Wording and Gift Etiquette
dznuts
member
Hi ladies! So my mom settled on just the BBQ after the baby is born. She was concerned two separate parties might get too complicated guest list wise and feelings hurt for being invited to one and not the other. I personally prefer the focus be more on celebrating and meeting the baby than gifts. Originally was going to ask people not to wrap gifts, but saw a lot of negative feedback on that idea. Instead, I'll just open people's gifts one-on-one as they arrive, and then display them from there. Thoughts on this??
Also trying to decide how to word gifts aren't the focus on the invite. Below is what I came up with. Is this ok or is there a better way to word?
Also trying to decide how to word gifts aren't the focus on the invite. Below is what I came up with. Is this ok or is there a better way to word?
PLEASE BRING A SIDE DISH TO SHARE IN LIEU OF GIFTS
For those who wish to bring a gift, diapers, wipes and baby/children’s books are greatly appreciated, or you can visit our registries for more ideas:
TARGET and BABIES R US
::EDIT BASED ON RESPONSES:: I probably should have clarified that several friends and family members are asking about and insisting on buying gifts, which is why we considered including registry on invite. Our focus really is on the baby, just trying to find an easy and appropriate way to address both the people who do and do not wish to bring gifts.
Re: Invitation Wording and Gift Etiquette
Also with the opening gifts as people arrive, what happens when 3 or 4 couples arrive at the same time? Do they have to wait in line to watch you open their gifts? It just doesn't sound logical. Once everyone has eaten, you can open gifts as they have dessert.
Truthfully, DH and I don't want a shower at all. We like the party and celebration aspect, but have never really been big on caring about gifts. The BBQ is our compromise in trying to make it more about the baby and less of an actual shower about gifts. Some people have expressed wishes to still get gifts, which is why we included registry info. The reason I specifically mentioned diapers and baby books because that's a thing in our area. Usually it's tied to a "raffle" where you win a prize if your name is drawn for bringing it. Maybe we should just do the raffle thing like usual, unless there is a better way to word this or maybe we should just throw it out all together?
For the side dish, our family and friends have always done parties like this, and we've never really had an issue with amount of food. Most of them usually call to confirm what they can bring.
I see your point of multiple people showing up at same time, and didn't think about that. Now that I am, would obviously greet them all before even attempting to open the gifts. Then would probably ask them if they want me to open it now or wait when I have time to sit down with them personally. We are trying to shy away from the big gift opening spectacle because the BBQ is going to be an all day open house for people to drop in as they can. It would be hard to do a specific time on gift opening when people will be coming and going at their leisure.
I'd leave out all talk of guests bringing anything. If someone wants to contribute they'll call and ask if they can bring something, which you can feel free to take them up on. And if they want to find your registry they can Google your name or ask you or your mom for the info. If it's not truly a "shower" I wouldn't put the registry on the invites. It will make people who otherwise wouldn't have brought a gift feel like they need to, which I think is the opposite if what you are going for.
If this is not a shower then it is not a gift giving event. People already know that. Some people may choose to bring a gift regardless. If that happens then open the gift whenever you want, but I would suggest not opening it in front of other guests so no one feels bad. Don't display the gifts either.
I'm confused because you said you don't want emphasis on gifts, but you seem to be putting a TON of emphasis on them. Havea BBQ - that's great. Make zero mention of gifts and if you do get them be grateful and don't flaunt them.
Even if this was a shower I would still side eye the way you dictate that people bring food and that you dictate what kind of gifts people do bring. That's gross and really poor etiquette. If I got that invitation I would totally talk crap about it.
ETA - also I would suggest changing all this wording. If other people are bringing food then you need to call this thing a pot luck. Ask them to bring a side dish, but don't mention "in lieu of gifts" Also a pot luck doesn't really need formal invites since it's not a formal event.
@Antoto, my mom agrees that she will just provide all the food and not make any mention of bringing side dishes. If people offer, that's fine but we won't ask.