Comments on: More On Baby Gift Registries

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 23:26:09 +0000

I completely agree–having had several friends have babies recently, I’ve seen firsthand the amount of needless stuff that babies now get. It’s ridiculous. My husband and I are trying for our first and, just for planning purposes, I tried a “what will the first year cost?” calculator on parents.com. Even with frugal answers, the result was something like $9,000. Ridiculous.

By: Ashley S.

Ashley S. — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 05:19:54 +0000

Your library coworkers sound like all you would need for a great shower. My shower was a nightmare affair and besides the clothing, I don’t thik I kept anything. Living in South Africa and working in an orphanage really opened my eyes as well.

And having knitters in the group would be fantastic if they wanted to make you some wool pants or soakers to go over your very frugal diapers.

By: Tina

Tina — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:30:18 +0000

If only we could convince our family and friends of this. My mother and my mother-in-law compete to see who gives the best gifts. They are usually tacky, expensive, unnecessary stuff that we will never use. They expect to see it when they visit, whether it’s clothing, furniture, some fancy bottle, etc. And act like we’ve insulted them if we have returned/exchanged it. So we end up trying to remember who gave what and have it ready. It’s so useless…

By: FrugalBabe

FrugalBabe — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:32:49 +0000

As far as my friends, family, or coworkers throwing me a shower… My closest friends and family know how I feel about this, and wouldn’t do it. Plus, my two closest girlfriends have moved recently, one is about a three hour drive from here, and then other is about a three hour flight.
Coworkers could be a different story. My department at the library has 8 women in it; all of us are close and we tend to get each other birthday and holiday gifts. It’s always small stuff, under $10, or homemade treats. I would not be surprised if someone were to bake a cake and everyone showed up with a little gift. And that would be fine. I know that all the gifts would be small and inexpensive, and would be something that each person picked out or made (lots of knitters in the group) on her own - not stuff that was on a shopping list I created.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:40:00 +0000

I totally agree with you on the whole ’stuff’ issue. We don’t have much either, basically what you listed. I do have a stroller though, for when the babies get big, and heavy to carry.
When people ask what they can get you for the baby, answer ‘Food’! The best gifts I’ve gotten (and given) are dinners. It’s heaven not to have to cook!

By: Michelle MacPhearson

Michelle MacPhearson — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:23:47 +0000

AWESOME POST!!! I couldn’t agree with you more (and this has been a post topic brewing in my mind for a while too). Babies don’t cost much, unless you buy into all the *stuff* that’s advertised to parents. I’ll have to put together my big baby rant now!

-Michelle

By: April

April — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:44:52 +0000

I just wonder where people put all the “stuff.” Between playpens and Johnny jumper thingys and baby “gyms”…where do you store it all?

What do you say if someone wants to throw you a shower, such as friends or coworkers?

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:56:16 +0000

Very true. I haven’t been to Africa, but I lived with a girl who’d taken care of a particular baby over there and she said the wrap thing was all the baby really needed.

I learned from visiting friends that there’s a little, cheap, folding mat which is perfect for changing. The best part is that it’s portable (and the baby can’t roll off). Seemed to me like the best idea ever!