Is It Okay To Ask For ‘gently Used Hand-me-downs’ On My Baby Shower Invitation?
28 December 2009
I have several friends who have babies who are outgrowing their infant clothes and have offered them to me. It seems like it would be ashame for them to have to go buy something new for me when they already have gently used stuff themselves.
Would it be tacky to ask the person who is throwing me shower to put something like:
Registered at Babies R US and Wal-Mart.
Gently used hand-me-downs welcome.
?
I personally think, in today’s terrible economy, that what you’re suggesting is AWESOME! I’m sure that many of your friends and family will really appreciate it! I don’t think it’s tacky at all. Just the opposite! It shows that you’re not an “all about me” kind of person and you’re realistic about today’s world.
Good luck to you with your new baby! It sounds to me like he/she will be getting a great Mommy!
This sounds perfect! I did the same thing, i urged people to shop at used children shops like once upon a child and children’s orchard. And if they had anything in the mix that they wanted to throw in. I have 4 little girls and i needed to have a baby shower for the last one because i wasnt expecting to have anymore little ones so i had sold EVERYTHING that i had from the previous babies. So i didnt want to be a burden and i wanted to have everyone just show up if anything. They loved the idea of buying alot more clothes for less price and they still added a few brand new items to the bunch. I think its an awesome idea and it doesnt sound tacky at all! Its up to everyone to pick which ever one to give you =) Congrats on the upcoming baby and good luck!!
yes – its kind of tacky. These friends dont have to get you anything huge – but they could also include a card or even tell you that they will be passing along the stuff to you – which they will probally do anyways. I dont know anyone that would feel comfortable giving away a box of already worn baby clothes – no matter how gently used they have been.
Just make it clear to your friends you would love to receive the hand – me – downs…..leave it up to them about the gift for the shower
i dont think so- i think the people with babies would appreciate it. i know that i wouldn’t want to just give people used clothes at a shower otherwise, but if they say they are welcome then i wouldn’t feel bad at all. i kind of feel a friend who said that was actually being considerate and thoughtful of me, to be honest.
btw- you should also register at target, too, they have great things there and we do virtually all our shopping there now. plus its cheaper than a lot of other places.
good luck.
When I first saw this question I was going to tell you not to do it but I think the way you worded it is perfect. I wish I would have thought about that for my baby shower. People gave me hand me downs anyway but not as a gift. I think this way you might actually get more clothes. Its much cheaper to give hand me downs then to buy a new present.
I think that would be fine. I know when I go to my friends baby showers I bring them a bag of gently use goodies left over from my son and a new present from their registry. I personally couldn’t just give them something used. That’s just me though. But if the said they didn’t mind that I just may have
Good Luck & God Bless! CONGRATS!
Great idea. You could also say something like “We’re going green with baby Geren and welcome gently used hand-me-downs.” This is really good for the economy and fantastic for the environment. FYI, do check on the gov. recall site once you recieve any hand-me-downs to make sure nothing has been recalled- its rare, but not everyone knows to check. Better safe than sorry! Best wishes!!
I think it is a wonderful idea. With the way the economy is right now, some people probably can’t really afford to spend alot. This makes a great way for them to get you something nice and save money at the same time. — And since it’s on the invitation, they know you won’t mind, so they won’t feel bad about it.
I think you are VERY cool to ask this.
If you don’t ask, you’re basically asking your friends to throw away the used things AND buy something new for you.
You get so many new things anyway. Your friends will be happy to offload some of the used things without having to throw them away, trust me!
I don’t think that is tacky AT ALL! It is actually very polite and useful. They will love the idea that they can bring their hand-me-downs. It is so much better to reuse stuff. And given how quickly kids outgrow their stuff, way more intelligent
The way you put it, yes sounds fine. It’s not like these are strangers, you know the people going to your shower so i don’t think they will mind.
Yes! You don’t even need to to do it for your baby shower politely ask your friends who’s children have outgrown their clothes if you may plase have them
I think it’s a good idea. I would love to give some of my baby’s nicer outfits away to a friend rather than seeing them go to Goodwill…
i don’t think it’s tacky at all! i think it’s pretty cool of you!
Not tacky at all. I think that’s pretty nice, actually.
It is tacky to ask for gifts at all for a baby shower. You have a shower to allow people to share their love with you and with your soon to be baby, not to get gifts. They are more than welcome to bring you something, but asking for something is tacky.
You could specify on your invitations something like:
“Please do not bring gifts to the shower. Any gifts can be given to (your name) at a different time.”
This way you’re not saying that you don’t want any gifts at all, but you’re making sure that people don’t bring gifts to your shower. Then you can privately accept the offers for outgrown clothes with the individuals who are offering them.