Baby shower advice please x

[laurandan]

Hi all,

I have my baby shower planned for the 12th July with my first baby, I was just wondering without sounding rude if there was a polite way of asking for money and vouchers rather than gifts? We have nearer paid for everything already so any payment towards the last payments would be a massive help, we also have enough clothes to clothe the 5000.

Am I being rude or is it a polite way of asking for what we really would like? Xx

 

[DissySunshine]

I think it's less of a taboo than it used to be, so if that's really what you want then do it. Take into account the opinions of those you invite though - some may be pretty old fashioned and may not enjoy it. I know people do "honeymoon funds" for weddings, so this wouldn't be much different!

 

[Ashley1021]

I personally wouldn't do that. I would be afraid of offending people. I'm just hoping people include gift recipts, so if I have enough I can exchange for store credit and use toward diapers or something else we need

 

[Kittycat155]

I would not ask for money/vouchers To me point of a baby shower is to not get everything you need up until then so there are plenty of items people can buy and then buy the items you do not get.

It seems a lot will be returned if you already have what you need? Maybe make it into a baby party and not so much a gifts expected event then?

Keep in mind not everyone will be paying cash. Some may have a store card that will be used for the gift and to ask for cash is putting them on the spot where they may not have cash to spare

 

[Maybe1daysoon]

Don't ask for cash... it's extremely tacky. If I received an invitation asking for cash I'd be offended. The point of a baby shower is not to buy you everything, but it is a perk! Lol. Maybe you could create a registry so that you get more of what you want. I'm not sure how big your family is or how many people will be attending but you will probably get a couple hundred no matter what. Older aunts and uncles just have cards with $50-$100. Also people will ask what do you want/need. I don't think it would be terrible to verbally tell them you prefer gift cards. But please don't print cash prefered on an invite.

 

[Mrs Dragonfly]

I think as a general rule with any type of celebration, it's bad to ask for money. The idea of creating a registry is that people can see what you want/need and go from there. People will ask what you need so you could say gift cards and mention you're not sure of everything just yet so giftcards would be helpful

 

[sprite30]

I've only been to one shower where they asked for cash and it was more out of necessity then want. They were in the military and stationed cross country and surely wouldn't have been able to take gifts on a plane with them. Honestly knowing that I didn't make it a priority to go to the party either. I sent a card and gift card along with someone else who was going and did something else that day...can't even remember what.

 

[victoria1987]

I think it would be bad form to ask for cash as well, sorry

I think that a lot of people would find it bad etiquette for sure and many people might be disappointed because guests find it part of the fun to buy baby gifts. They love to buy the little clothes and whatnot. I would make a registry or spread the word around that you don't need clothing etc.

 

[hotslinthesun]

I agree that you shouldn't ask for cash, and a lot of guests get a lot of enjoyment out of shopping for baby things. Do you still have the receipts for some of the stuff you've already bought? What if you made a register and put things on there that you already have and then act surprised when you get it and use your receipt to exchange it? Then it's like getting the cash/gift card without anyone knowing or being offended. It's a little sneaky, but better than the alternative I would think...