Use proper etiquette when requesting baby gifts from a registry.
Proper etiquette for showers has become more lenient in recent years and baby showers are no exception. Customs such as hosting duties, choosing gift registries and issuing invitations have evolved in recent years giving hosts, attendees and the honoree a bit more leeway than in generations past.
Hosting
Traditionally, showers are not hosted by family members of the guest of honor. According to Emily Post, this would imply the mother-to-be is asking for gifts. Close friends, sisters-in-law, cousins or other more distant family member are more appropriate hosts. However, guidelines have changed in recent years to be more understanding of personal circumstances and family-hosted showers are no longer considered improper.
Invitations
List the name of the honoree, the date, time and location of the event and contact information for the RSVP on the invitation. The invitation itself usually does not include any mention of gifts. Include a separate brief note listing the registries or a few gift ideas. Some retail stores even provide business card-sized inserts specifically for inclusion in the shower invitation. Be prepared to offer suggestions for guests who inquire about gift ideas.
The Registry
The registry is designed to guide gift-givers as they hunt for the perfect gift for the mother-to-be. However, shower guests should always be permitted to purchase whichever gift they deem is most appropriate. The number of gift ideas included in the registry should vary to include both moderately priced items as well as more inexpensive ones, allowing guests to choose a gift that fits within their budget. Only one or two stores should be selected for the registry.
The Shower
The shower itself should be timed according to preference. Some mothers-to-be prefer having the shower before the baby arrives. This gives her a chance to acquire necessities before the baby arrives. Some expectant parents want to wait until a few weeks after the baby is born. This allows parents who do not know the sex of the baby to receive gender-specific gifts.
Acknowledgement
If a gift did not come from the registry, the mother-to-be should remain gracious and thank each guest for her thoughtfulness, whether or not the gift is to the honoree's taste. If the item is a duplicate, Emily Post suggests being straightforward and asking if the gift may be exchanged for something else. Honorees should always follow up after the shower with a handwritten thank-you note for each gift.
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