For those of you that have kids...

california_haley
california_haley Posts: 220 Member
in Chit-Chat
For all the moms and dads out there that already have had kids, or that are currently pregnant and have already had your baby shower I'm interested in knowing what kind of things did you get as gifts? And who got you what kind of things?


What did you get the most of at your baby shower? And who got you what?
Small items off registry $5-$45
Big ticket items (crib, play yard, ect)
In the middle $50+ (but not large enough to be considered a "big ticket item")
Nothing off our registry
A little bit of everything
Nothing we actually needed


I'm NOT looking to be spoiled with gifts, I'm wondering because im trying to prove a point that just because im having baby shower that doesn't automatically mean we will get everything off our registry.

Edit: Im not trying to sound ungrateful of any gift we get, but in my experience (just attending showers) you DONT get those big things that you really need, unless its from your parents.

See im trying to prove this with your guys experience to compare to. I made this really organized list from my registry items in a weekly order so we can start getting the things we are really going to need but probably arent going to get at a shower. my MIL flipped on my husband for spending money on the baby when were "getting this big shower and everyone is going to take care of you" and btw we only got the crib, mattress, one water proof fitted sheet, and one fitted sheet, total $322
and on black friday (couldnt pass up the deals) i got a digital two camera baby monitor for $250 off retail price. and a carseat for $200 off retail price. items we could have never afforded if not for the sale.

I didnt see a problem with getting the big things before the shower. if we dont there wont be enough time to get the things we dont get from the shower because money is tight.
I didnt see the harm in this, do you?

Replies

  • Sarahs2576
    Sarahs2576 Posts: 418 Member
    Pray you get gift receipts and return the much appreciated, thoughtful and adorable gifts for what you actually need. People should understand why they never see your new arrival in the onesie they gifted you.
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    I was just grateful I had one presents were the least of my worries, and you are right you will probably not get much off your registry usually its clothes
  • JessieGurlJb
    JessieGurlJb Posts: 441
    Yep generally people pick out what is cheap and what they like.
  • valmaebel
    valmaebel Posts: 1,045 Member
    For both my wedding and then with my baby shower, we registered only for the bare essentials. The result: most people got us a gift card to the store we registered at, or they would go in on a gift in a group.
    There were always those who went off and bought their own cutsie thing and we just figured it was more than we would have had without the shower and were happy with that.
    Best of luck!
  • valmaebel
    valmaebel Posts: 1,045 Member
    Also, there is no harm in buying big items before the shower...as long as you didn't register for them. I just made sure my shower was early enough where we had plenty of time afterwards to get what we needed. Obviously too late for you, but it helped in our case.
    As for your MIL, just focus on the big sale items you got. I would flip it back and say I would have felt guilty making someone else pay full price on something when I had a chance to get it so cheaply, and would rather they spend the money on something I wasn't able to get at such a large discount.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,284 Member
    I did not have baby showers for my 3 kids.

    Registries for baby showers are not the done thing in Australia anyway - have never been to a baby shower with a registry.

    If I am invited to a baby shower, I would buy a small present - a cute onesie and some baby toiletries, something like that.
  • Jewlz280
    Jewlz280 Posts: 547 Member
    We got a few 'big' things, but most things were the small to mid-price. But NONE of the big ticket items. My suggestion? Do what works for you. I've been to showers where the Mom got almost everything needed and I've had experience the other way. Buy what you NEED and if your MIL asks, tell her you got it to be safe because it was so cheap but that you kept the receipt so that if you get it at the shower, you can return yours. That way she realizes you are trying to be practical and prepared and not trying to poo poo on her parade. There is NOTHING wrong with wanting to be practical and prepared. I've had a few friends who waited and were MAJORLY stressed after knowing they had literally hundreds of dollars worth of things to purchase. It doesn't mean you aren't thankful for what you get or anything. It just means you are trying to think ahead. Good luck!
  • RaggedyPond
    RaggedyPond Posts: 1,487 Member
    I think only one person bought something off my registry. The rest bought blankets and diapers.
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 8,520 Member
    Never try to win an argument with your MIL. You just can't. :noway:

    Good luck.:flowerforyou:
  • RaluKitty
    RaluKitty Posts: 62 Member
    In really depends on the circle of friends/relatives invited to the shower. Most of my friends who had showers work in IT and both partners/spouses work. We're also all in our 30s. My experience is we follow the registry and do buy items over $50 and big-ticket... There are always friends who buy the big ticket items, or sometimes 2-3 girlfriends will chip in for a larger one like the car seat or stroller.
  • Napier_mum
    Napier_mum Posts: 88 Member
    I am the same as Paperpudding. You don't register for gifts in NZ.

    I got a surprise baby shower thrown for me and got loads of clothes (very handy with a reflux baby!) and some cute little toys etc which I am still using now with my second baby.

    When I buy gifts for friends I usually buy nappies (diapers) and some clothing in a few sizes up from newborn. Depending on the person I might buy something else as well.

    We just have to buy all the big items ourselves.

    Random advice (haha that you constantly get when you are pregnant or have children) make sure you get a stroller that you love. Nothing worse than an impractical stroller!
  • 40Jamieful
    40Jamieful Posts: 28 Member
    My dad got me the Medela pump so I could give my baby breast milk and also go back to work. I don't remember how I got the little bathtub for newborn, but that was nice. My dad had to buy me a stroller/newborn carseat after I had the baby, because we had the wrong kind. I was very blessed.
  • california_haley
    california_haley Posts: 220 Member
    Thank you everyone. Thats pretty much what i thought would be most of the answers. :)
    So im going to stick with doing with works best for me. I think thats only fair to cut down on my stress level, theres no need to wait and pray someone will buy me my car-seat/stroller set for $160 when i can get it myself, and knock an item off my list before its too late and i have a melt down! ha

    Thanks so much everyone!

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