We recently moved away from all our friends and family so a baby shower is out the question. Our family and friends are scattered around the country at every end. Since we are not having a shower is it appropriate to send out some sort of announcement before the baby is due, to formally inform friends and family and let them know where we are registered? If so when? At how many weeks should something like this go out? Thanks for your help in advance..
2007-02-09 02:32:40 · 13 answers · asked by mskissty1 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
i dont see any problem with that. you should write something to the effect that theres no obligation just appreciation. especially if its your first one you should definitely have some sort of announcement and registry!!! guaranteed you'll get alot of stuff you need. i would send out we're expecting cards and then when the baby is born i would send announcement cards also. definitely do something though you'll need help getting everything. my shower got me everything to keep me occupied until the baby was almost 4 months old and then some. CONGRATS!!
2007-02-09 02:59:53 · answer #1 · answered by toolate 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Generally, birth announcements are sent out immediately after a baby is born. I would suggest that you wait until you are at least six months pregnant if you want to send out a notice of where you are registered, and even then I would only send it to family and very close friends. A better solution would be to call them on the phone, and explain the situation so they would not get offended. See, if you have a baby shower, it is expected that you are to be registered somewhere. But for getting a gift, the person always gets something in return, even if it is just getting to go to the party. If you send out notices that you are registered, it might seem offensive because it would seem like you are asking for a handout, and most people I know are offended by that. But if you call them on the phone, you can explain the situation and let them know if they want to get a present for the baby that you are registered.
2007-02-09 10:48:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
There is no reason that a baby shower has to be out of the question. My brother is in the Air Force. When he and my sister-in-law were expecting their first baby, 21 years ago, I had a baby shower for her at my house despite the fact they were living 1200 miles away. Everyone brought their gift unwrapped along with wrapping paper. We had food, games, and everyone got to show their gifts then we wrapped them and boxed them to be shipped to where they were stationed. I do not suggest that you send out anything to let friends and family know that you are registered somewhere. I don't think it is appropriate and it seems rather presumptuous as it sounds like you are asking for gifts. If someone wants to know if you are registered they will probably ask someone close to you. So, just let your close family and friends (such as your mom, sister, best friend) know where you are registered. Then if someone asks they will be able to tell them. After the baby comes, send out birth announcements to all your family and friends. Don't mention you are registered anywhere, though, but many people will probably send a gift.
2007-02-09 11:43:01 · answer #3 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with alot of the posters here, the mother herself doesn't throw a shower and it does seem a bit tacty to be sending out the register for yourself. Have a friend do it, or your mother.
I have the same problem, my family is all over and this is our 3rd baby, and not a single shower of reach of the kids or this one yet. So not only do I feel really left out considering my sister got one for each of her kids but I'm stuck with no friends or family to throw me one this time around..again..
This time I'm going to send an annoucment out afterwards, we dont' really need anything as of yet but after baby is born there are so many things that could come in handy..even a gift card! So hopefully that will work out. I should have done that the first two times around, but hey, what can you do?
Hope something helps, looks like everyone else is saying the same things in here though.
Send your annoucment out with a picture of your new family, or just baby inside, maybe add even a footprint with it to make it extra special.
Good Luck!
2007-02-09 10:57:17 · answer #4 · answered by Bugster 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand your dilema and know how hard it is to be away from friends and family.
Usually, a baby shower is thrown by a friend or relative FOR you (as a gift)...the mom to be does not throw herself a shower...this could be considered tacky.
I would ask or hint around to your mom or close friend that even though you can't have a shower you would still like to register somewhere but 'how will everyone find out'? This may strike up a convo and the friend can send out this information to everyone.
If that doesn't work I would tell people verbally during update conversations *only* - I wouldn't send out anything myself...some people may be really offended!
2007-02-09 10:42:58 · answer #5 · answered by Jen 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
No, no, no, nooooooooooooooo!
You have one of two respectable choices here.
1) Have a good friend or family member (who would have been the person to throw you a shower if you were to have one?) mail out announcements that they would like to have a long distance shower for you.
Have THEM send out the registry info and have them include a pink, blue, green or yellow page asking the person to mail it to you with their best parenting advice they ever heard of is:___________________.
This way it doesn't seem like a "hey! send gifts!" note.
2) The second (and I think preferred way) is to simply send an announcement AFTER your baby arrives with a lovely picture of JR. with the date/weight..etc. on it.
Most adults when recieving a lovely announcement of a child's birth will know (without being clobbered on the head) that this means..."Hey! I'm here! I need stuff! Send a present!"
Good luck....and congratulations.
2007-02-09 10:46:14 · answer #6 · answered by foxinsox 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I t does not sound appropriate to me. I would suggest sending out announcements after the birth and I am sure that your family and friends will send gifts but it should not be expected by any means.
2007-02-09 10:45:02 · answer #7 · answered by KathyS 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
well, my husbands family all live very far away from us, so a shower for his family is not possible, so we registered at Target.com and they have the option to send out announcments about being registered there and we did that this morning, but only to close friends and close family, they should spread the word for you.
i'll be 7 months next week
2007-02-09 11:25:17 · answer #8 · answered by TN girl 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is NEVER appropriate to send out registry info except to people who specifically ask for it. It looks very gift-grabby.
It's fine to send out an announcement when the baby is born, but there should be no mention of gifts or registries.
2007-02-09 13:52:37 · answer #9 · answered by Maggie E 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i think it is toally fine. u could either send them out around ur 7th month or wait until the baby is actually born so maybe u can send out a pic of the baby too. that may have people WANT to give more cause they see a cute lil baby they are buying for. All u would need is a car seat! onesis, diapers, outfits 0-3mos and a few other things. All the big things u wouldnt need asap. im sure u will want to rest some right after the baby is born so things like strollers can wait a lil bit. OR u could send a registry out befor the baby is born and when u have the baby send another registry with the pic of the baby with the rest of the items u may need still. im sure family and close friends will want to splerge a lil. I would!
2007-02-09 10:48:11 · answer #10 · answered by goober 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋