I'm getting ready to send out the invitations for my sisters' baby shower and she had hinted at wanting me to include a little note asking that people bring a book instead of a card. Here's the actual wording that I'm thinking of using -
One Lil Request ... It Shouldn't Be Hard,
Please Bring A Book Instead Of A Card!
____ and ___wish to read each night,
Before they kiss their sweet __ and turn out the light.
Any children's book that you love should be the one you choose,
Just remember to sign inside a special message from you.
Thank you for helping their library grow,
They really appreciate it just so you know!
I have mixed feelings on this. It is a very cute idea but a decent (new) book is more expensive then a card and I just feel it sounds tacky!
You could definitely request a book instead of a gift. But I don’t see that you can ask for two gifts (the regular gift plus another one instead of a card).
Bring a book instead of a gift…not instead of a card. The way it is stated, the parents to be are basically asking guests to provide two gifts which is a bit rude no matter how cute the rhyming verse is.
A children’s book is one of my go-to gifts for a new baby. If I want to give a book and can’t afford the new price, I check out second-hand bookstores, thrift stores, garage sales. So what if it’s not brand new? The STORY is what’s important.
But the book IS the gift, not a substitute for a card.
I can see what you are saying, but a shower is a way for people to shower the family with gifts. You are not really asking for a new book and many cards are $5. This will be so much better than a card.
I do recall a book request at my shower. I was new to the whole shower thing, but I am happy to have the books with the note inside. Books have lasted a lot longer than a wipe warmer.
I think this is a great idea. It is practical, meaningful and environmentally friendly. I hate buying cards that are just going to be thrown away, but I love buying books that children will love for years to come. I see lots of people spend $5 on Hallmark cards that go into the trash, yet I am looking at my kids Scholastics order form and I am seeing dozens of excellent titles for as little as $1.99. As the books are for mom and baby to read they don’t need to be hardcover or board book, soft cover is fine for building a library.
I’m torn on it honestly. One part of me thinks reading is very important and it’s an awesome way to bond with your kids and I personally don’t care either way. But another part of me knows there are people out there who will either A. Not show up to a shower that requests that or B. get just a book. Like previous posters said…you basically asking for two gifts and yes..that is kinda rude.
Overall, my opinion…YOUR the one planning the baby shower. Not her. This is in favor for her and she should just suck it up and appreciate what she does receive. If you find it to be tacky then you don’t have to do it.
CUTE!
So are you asking for a book AND a gift? You may want to be clear on that.
Would you accept a used book - one of their favourites or one that they kid has outgrown?
Do you want a bunch of books as gifts or do you want other gifts too?
Is this her first baby?
Does she need other stuff?
Gifts are a touchy subject, people like to give but they don’t like to be asked.
Maybe a regular invite and then CALL the people you are close to and let them know her preferences…when she has them figured out.
I do not think it is tacky at all. I love it and always include books with baby gifts myself. I have been at showers where we discussed it (it wasn’t requested at this shower-but myself and the others at my table included books). We all agreed that it’s better than cards and the gift giver knows that their boom will last much longer than baby clothes or diapers.
You can buy little board books at the dollar store. I wouldn’t worry at all about it being an additional cost.
not at all tacky!! i love bringing a book instead of a card and never feel that it’s an inappropriate request. all those wonderful books with the inscriptions is a great way to start off a nursery. most books are inexpensive and can be bought right along with the registry gift. if i did have a problem with it, i would simply politely decline. have fun!!! Sharon
The wording is cute and clever, however you are requesting 2 gifts and that is tacky. Although I do agree some books can be bought for less than the price of a card! How about a book themed baby shower or once the baby comes, to host a sip-n-see. One sip-n-see I went to was diaper themed. Brilliant.
If she’s asking for a book instead of a gift, great idea! If she’s asking for a book in addition to a gift, that’s tacky. I’m with you…books cost way more than a card.
I think it’s like asking for two gifts. We did a diaper raffle at my sister’s baby shower in December and that was a big hit. Guests were told for each bag/box of diapers they brought to play the game, they would get a ticket. A grand prize would be provided for the winner. So it was a game, not a gift…but my sister made out on diapers.
Maybe you could do something like that? Books can be cheap, but I bet she’ll get a lot of the cheap ones (and repeats) if it’s a big shower…
I think she ask for it to be a “book shower”, like a “diaper shower”, where that is all that she gets. But I think it’s really tacky to ask for a gift and a book. That’s technically 2 gifts.
I think that if you agree with that, you’d be doing her a favor to tell her. She may not be thinking about it that way.
Sharon