Baby Shower Invitations – Is There A Tactful Way To Say I Don’t Need Baby Clothes For A Gift?
Between some family members and coworkers, I’ve got plenty of baby clothes already coming in. I know cute little outfits are a hot gift for baby showers, but I don’t need that at all, I need the every-day, not so adorable, useful items.
Is there anyway to be tactful or creative in stating this? I haven’t got a theme (or even a date) for the party yet, so I really welcome any and all ideas.
Thanks
register at a store that has baby shower registry and in the invitations let them know where you are registered. they can look there to see what you need and they will more than likely buy from that list.
add a poem to the invites
thanks to all our family and friends
our unborn baby is fully dressed
baby is going to be so cute
but what we lack is all the rest.
I had a relative who was on a second child and didn’t need clothing, so in the invitation they just indicated it was a sort of “supplies” shower and suggested bringing diapers, creams, lotions, etc. I bought her an awesome medicine kit, and it was a hit!
just include a gift registry from like walmart with the things you really need that is the only way i can think of doing it. hope this helps.
I worked for many years as a baby registry adviser at a baby boutique. One thing I know from experience is that when people can’t find something they like on the registry, they tend to buy clothes following the logic that “the baby grows so fast, he/she will need plenty of clothes.” I always suggest that moms-to-be open a registry on a website like myregistry.com that lets you add things from any store you want. This way, you can fill up your registry with tons of cute non-clothing items so there will be plenty to choose from. You can also make a cash fund so that there’s always something left for people to give (this is also helpful for people who have a specific budget in mind). You may want to make a welcome page for your registry as well–that way, you can include a note (or a poem, as one commenter suggested)to let people know you are all set with clothing. Happy registering!
No, there’s absolutely no way to be “tactful” about that sort of unmitigated greed.
Getting presents is not some sort of bloody right.
Let me guess — you’re throwing your own, too, yes? In that case, just be honest; it would be refreshing. Your “theme” is simply “Gimme.”
when ever you send out the invitiations, put in your registers that way people can look at your list and see what you really need, unfortunately you more than likely will get clothes
but if they still have the tag on them you can take them back and exchange them for larger sizes!! congratulations!!
I wish I had done that with my shower because I ended up with so many outfits that when I was washing them all, a woman asked how many children I had..and this is my first! I think you can just put on the bottom of the invitation: “While kindness in any form is appreciated, please do not purchase any baby clothes for this shower.” That doesn’t sound rude at all, and I’m sure most people will abide by that rule. Some might not, though, and if you find that you have too much, you can always return them (if you left the tags on). Best of luck to you and congrats!
Added: Also, while you can register at a certain place, some people do not make purchases according to the list you compiled.
The best thing you can do is register for ONLY non-clothing items. Make sure your hostesses know you don’t need clothes so they can pass this on to people who inquire.
There isn’t really a tactful way to say “don’t bring clothes” because it would be viewed as kind of like saying “BRING THIS, INSTEAD!”. You can always return or exchange items later…..or put them on Ebay or swap them for what you need on Craigslist??
If you let your hostesses know….and if you tell people if they ask you what you need, word will spread. But don’t be surprised if you still get some clothing items….some people just can’t resist an adorable onesie when they see one!!
Good luch, have fun and CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Here’s the easiest way to do it have your sister or mom or relative give you the shower and let them send out the invites and simply say “She doesn’t need baby clothes anythign else would be great” This way its polite but its not coming from you and have someone elses contact numbers or your own if they need to discuss something. Just explain to whoever is hosting the party/invites what you want the cards to say and what you don’t want. This way it doesn’t look bad on you or anyone else. Good luck and CONGRATS on the baby!!!
Just put a note on the bottom of the invitations saying *already have lots of baby cloths. Everyone wants to get you something useful anyways
Congrats!!
well, one party I was invited to stated that there would be a raffle for a gift for whoever bought pampers, swimming pampers, and wipes. maybe you can give a raffle to encourage others to buy what you want also everyone includes their registry list , people might get a clue you don’t want clothes if none are included on your list
Get a gift registry at one of your favorite stores. You can put all the essentials on the list, and your guests will clearly see that you do not need clothes!
Instead of a baby shower have a diaper shower. On the invitations simply state that it is a diaper shower. Most people know what a diaper shower is so it shouldn’t be a problem. At these kinds of showers people often give diapers, cloth diapers, diaper ointment as well as tylenol, motrin and things like that. I have had a few friends do this and they had enough diapers to last them a couple months and thats always a huge plus.
Say: “In lieu of clothing, disposable gifts, such as diapers, wipes and cream would be greatly appreciated.” You can tailor that to fit your needs.
You can get a registry with a store you like, so people can have a list to go from. But a lot of people don’t even use the registry when shopping for baby gifts. But I’ve got a few ideas for you….
Who is throwing the shower for you? In your invitations, write RSVP and leave the number of the person in charge of throwing the shower. Often people will ask them if they know what you need. Then they can be the one to tell them no baby clothes. Or they can politely mention that in the conversation. Then it’s not like YOU are trying to be picky about what you get.
Also, a lot of people include gift reciepts so you can take things back and exchange them for what you need.
OR instead of a baby shower, you could have a baby welcoming party after he/she is born. Then there would be more inquiries as to what you might still need. I also think a baby welcoming party is a great idea for your second or third kid. Thats what we are doing for our second. A lot of people think it’s innapropriate to have a shower for each kid. But I still wanted to have a get together and I think this way not everyone will feel as inclined to bring a gift, as it is more of a celebration than anything. I don’t want people to think that I am being greedy.
However, there is really no polite way to write it in the invitation. Although it is probably taboo to NOT bring a gift to a baby shower, it is even more taboo to more or less assume in the invitation that you WILL be getting a gift (atleast to some people).
the only way to tell your family and friends that you dont want the clothing IS to just tell them thay are you family and friends Come’on now thay love you and if thay give you Stuff thay must not care that much eh? just say you need bottles or diapers or something more practicle for your babyy thay will understand dont be shy thay love you
bring some toys
bring some diapers
bring me money
or bring me wipies
i dont need clothes
or shoes
or boots
so if you bought them
bring reciepts
If you are expecting people to buy things for your baby so you don’t have to then you can’t be picky. Be greatful for what you get. Or heres an idea:
You are invited to my baby shower only if you buy a car seat, you can bring your mom if she buys a stroller, oh yeah, i don’t like your taste in clothes so please, save me the trip of returning it!
People are so ungrateful
Do a baby shower registery at a place of your choice. List all the items you need and then people can choose the exact gifts that you want and need. Choose gifts with a wide range of prices so that everyone, even those financially strapped can afford to get you something.
Include in your invites where you are registered and mention that “because of the generosity of those looking forward to babys coming, we already have plenty of clothes.”
You can register at many places,
Walmart,
Target
Macy’s
etc…..
call around.
yes you can go to babies-r-us and register for what you need and enter a registration slip into each invitation
My wife and I went through that recently. We weren’t telling what we were having (boy/girl) so we didn’t want a bunch of clothes for the wrong sex…so we just said something along the lines of:
“Check our registry to get an idea of what we need, if it’s not in the registry, we probably already have it! As far as clothes, we should be set there too!”
It sort of worked, some people ignored it and gave us clothes anyway. What do you do…..
I personally wouldn’t be offended if I were going to a shower and the person told me they didn’t need clothes. I would be happy, then maybe my gift would be more appreciated it was what they ACTUALLY needed.
Generally, the person throwing the shower can add a list of the things the mother to be needs for the new baby or you can register at baby stores and add that information to the invitations.
Good luck!
Theme the shower something to deal with useful items. “Baby Care Shower” Just put a statement on the invitation something like, ” any and all baby care items needed as the stork and his many friends have already dropped clothes in plenty”
ANOTHER good idea that really seems to work is to state on the invitation that everyone who brings a bag of diapers will be put into a drawing for a nice door prize. You will be amazed at how many diapers you will recieve!!!
Good Luck!
Just put at the bottom of the invitation reading:
Baby clothes are not necessarily needed but appreciated
Thank You.
Sign up for a gift registry…..like at Target and ask for what you need thru that – I think that most people use the gift registry if you register for one…..personally, I think it makes the whole process easier for the gift buyer.
Do a gift registry at a local store. Ask people to stick to the list.
One really good idea is to pick a store and register. can be astore ranging anywhere from neiman marcus to target. this way you register for the gifts you need, and each person who makes a purchase removes it from your list preventing unneeded duplicates.
good luck with the new baby
xxoo
Put it on the registry notes. Not the invite.
Or include a little extra note on a seperate pc of paper with specifications to put in the envelope.
Your invitation should be a keepsake.
“While kindness in any form is appreciated, please do not purchase any baby clothes for this shower.”
This was a REALLY good answer, you could also word it like this: “While kindness in any form is appreciated, I have already been gifted with an abundance of baby clothing, and would appreciate other necessities instead.”
That way it sounds like you have already been given lots of “gifts” not necessarily “hand me downs”, as there are a lot of people out there who think they or their babies are too good for hand me downs, and will buy you clothing anyway.
Good luck!
say you are having a diaper party. that way people will hopefully bring only diapers or other disposables like lotion, wipes, powder.
I would say…
Respectfully I request for no clothing items.
And add a somewhat humorous comment
(My dressers are overflowing)