Money Moral Dilemma: Can I buy a cheaper baby-shower gift?

selement

Gigervamp wrote: »

The American mums on another forum are horrified by how we've taken the baby shower idea and completely got it all wrong!


Apparently over there, it'll be a friend or relative who organises and hosts, and money is NEVER asked of the guests. The host pays for the party, which is usually in their house, not fancy venues.
The gifts are small, things like socks, nappies etc, or pampering items for the bride.

This has been my experience of baby showers. I've only been to 2 but both over someone's house and organised by someone else and gifts not expected

Red-Squirrel_2

selement wrote: »

This has been my experience of baby showers. I've only been to 2 but both over someone's house and organised by someone else and gifts not expected

Isn't it called a shower because you get 'showered' with gifts? The gifts are sort of the point, so there is definite expectation I feel even if it isn't spelled out.

I've never actually been to one, I always make an excuse, but when I see photos, hear them discussed etc. it does seem that there are always presents, just as at a birthday party or a wedding.

Gigervamp

We here in the UK have got it all wrong according to American folks. I don't know why it's called a shower, but it's more about celebrating the upcoming arrival than giving gifts, from what I understand.

Red-Squirrel_2

Gigervamp wrote: »

We here in the UK have got it all wrong according to American folks. I don't know why it's called a shower, but it's more about celebrating the upcoming arrival than giving gifts, from what I understand.

Still doesn't make sense.

Celebrating something as a given before the most dangerous and risky part of the whole process?

Gigervamp

Oh, I agree with that. Better to wait until the baby is safely here.

crmism

I think you're being taken for a ride by the organizers, who evidently have little idea of the value of money other than to line their own pockets.

Make your own arrangements to present what you buy to the impending mother, as a gesture that this tiresome and pointless import from the United States should be treated with the contempt it deserves.

wkeith

1. I never give a baby present before the baby is born - (Superstition). 2. Charging guests to attend seems very odd.
3. Give your present but do it in person when baby has arrived.

jobbingmusician

!!!!!! is the mum to be doing swinging around on rollercoasters?

JillieA

I think it's extravagant to have a baby shower party at a venue where you have to charge your friends £25 to come in, and the friends must be loaded and definitely not MSE types. If the hostess expects her friends to pay an entrance fee, they certainly should not spend a lot on the present. If she wanted expensive presents, she shouldn't be charging entrance - she wants to have her cake and eat it - and she's "eating for two".

heartbreak_star

All baby showers I've ever been to have been either at the mum-to-be's home or a little local community centre. We gave things like bibs and nappy packs

HBS x