[Kucingcantik]

Hi everyone

DH and I movd interstate only 18 months ago. We are both fairly shy people and are slow to make friends. We become friendly with people very quickly but it takes a lot of time to build up to outside of work/sport friends IYKWIM?

Anyway, we still don't have any friends here who we would see regularly etc.

I am 26 weeks pregnant and I really really wanted to have a baby shower. I was worried though that I would be inviting acquaintances/friends from work who I haven't known for very long and gelt awkward about it. DH asked my cousin to organise it and she has kindly agreed.

Shortly after DH asked her (about 2 months ago) I had said to her that I didn't want the girls I invite to feel as though they needed to buy me presents.

She mentioned to me about a month ago that I should register at Target. I had already set up an online registry thing as a way of keeping track of what we needed to buy for baby ourselves, so I added some inexpensive items to it and forwarded it to her saying that if anyone wanted to buy me a present and asked her what I wanted she could refer to it.

She then wrote back and asked if she could include the registry details with the invitations.

So I guess my questions are:
1. Is it common in Australia to have baby registries for baby showers?
2. Would you be taken aback by it for a work colleague (who you are very friendly with)?
3. Would you be taken aback by it if it was for a relative or closer friend?
4. If you were invited to a baby shower for a work colleague would you want to buy a gift or would you feel obligated to and be annoyed by it?

[Rainbow Brite]

Personally I would find a gift registry for a baby shower very tacky and don't believe this is usual practice.

My advice would be to not add the registry to the invites.

[carolinej]

Why would someone "really really want a baby shower" if not to get gifts? Well, that's how I see it, anyway. I think baby showers are a gift grab at best, and if these people invited are not close friends or family, it looks even more so.

I guess that doesn't answer your question as such, but gives you a pretty good idea of my personal views on baby showers!

[MiloandOtis]

I always buy a gift when I go to a baby shower, however don't think a registry is the way to go.

[fancie]

For me, baby showers are for giving singlets, bibs, socks, etc. All the little things.

Gift registries for baby showers are poor form and look incredibly greedy in my opinion.

[saxa]

Why do you really really want a baby shower?

If its for the gifts then add the registry.

If not then request no gifts, maybe a small donation to a baby related charity.

This post has been edited by saxa: 22/01/2012, 11:04 PM

[Katet_86]

Personally, I wouldn't care, but I'm very easy going and laid back. My friend wants that for this big occassion, my friend gets that, has always been my way of looking at things like baby showers and weddings etc.

[Aqua Kitty Kat]

I would never have a baby shower. The only reason they are held is to receive presents. I think they are really tacky.

I would not accept your invitation if I was a casual acquaintance or co-worker knowing I had to buy a present off your gift registry even if it was only small.

The only way I would have a baby shower in your situation is to ditch the registry and very clearly stipulate no presents on the invitation.

[Kucingcantik]

I want to have a baby shower to have a get together to celebrate our daughter coming into our lives, have a girls day out so to speak and to hopefully cement a few friendships, not to receive gifts.

I felt awkward about the gift expectation and that almost was enough to convince me not to do it, but I know that I will feel as though I have missed out.

My gut feeling was that including a baby registry would be weird, but I wasn't sure if it is the done thing in Australia now, as I have NEVER been to a baby shower at all, hence why I asked the question here.

[busy_bee]

I understand where you are coming from OP

I had a "baby-shower" for similar sorts of reasons (although only had family and a few close friends) - and admit it was a bit different to how it is usually done (I organised and paid for everyone to have a high-tea at a nice restaurant), and I specifically requested no presents (although people still brought things).


In relation to the registry - I would be inclined not to add it to the invite, especially if it has all your other baby-related items on it. Especially if you do not know the people you are inviting particularly well, it has the potential to look very 'tacky' and not in line with the reasons you have stated you want a baby shower