So you should put a 2 year supply of diapers on the registry?
@Consolation – you know those couples who do over-the-top, 3-day-long destination weddings; whose wedding parties include more than a dozen bridesmaids/groomsmen; who start the celebrations with pre-wedding trips to fancy resorts for all the bridesmaids/groomsmen; who have elaborate catered bridal showers; and whose registries include items from Tiffany and Porthault?
Those are the same people who do extravagant baby showers. And put eye-popping items on their baby registries.
Of course, these people can buy themselves anything and everything. When I’m invited to a baby or wedding shower for people like that – I give the smallest, most symbolic gift possible. Because I can’t afford to indulge them, and probably wouldn’t want to even if I could.
My mother made beautiful baby quilts for all the grandkids and probably all the grand nieces and nephews as well.
I give people my favorite picture books . More, More, More said the Baby and Go Away Big Green Monster. For special people I also give A Space Child’s Mother Goose which was written by my Grandfather. It’s not a baby book, but it’s great and still in print!
I also like to give books, especially the classic ones “Blueberries for Sal” “Go Dog Go” “Harold and the Purple Crayon” “Ferdinand the Bull” among them.
@katliamom , actually, although I do know some wealthy people, I don’t know anyone like that!
On the other hand, a top caterer/event planner I used to supply with truffles and caramels told me that the client for whom I was providing such items–for the dessert bar at the rehearsal dinner–had apparently ordered 30,000 roses to be flown in. Yes, 30,000.
They were from Texas, LOL. We New Englanders are highly unlikely to do something like that, even if we can afford to. 
I’ve been to a few big baby and wedding showers over the years for coworkers or friends. Not quite 100 but definitely over 50 guests. They were rich people just really big, extended families with cultures where tons of family lives in the area and everyone is invited. They also have really huge weddings. In these instances, it’s definitely been more of a cultural thing than a money thing. Groups of people often chip in to buy larger gifts like expensive strollers and such.
Amazon also has a completion discount. It’s 10% for everyone and 15% for Prime members. Some items can’t be included and there’s a limit. Still, worth checking out.
@Consolation – oh, those Texans. (Smile: I’m only partly serious.) Actually the biggest, most over-the-top baby shower I’ve been to was for two oil industry lawyers from Oklahoma. Lots of corporate types/legal types attended. I remember that one of the gifts were matching mother/baby cashmere throws from Hermes. @-)
Wow, I wouldn’t mind a cashmere throw but would never want a baby to have one—easy machine washable only.
Waterproof baby pads…just good to put under babies in many situations
That should read “They WEREN’T rich people just really big, extended families”
The biggest baby showers I’ve gone to have been in MA and NY. The MA one was for a high school classmate catered sit down lunch for 150+ the NY one was for a close friend that lived in MA but was from NY and was at least 100 people and that was mostly just family!
I always include this, among other presents to expectant couples. They all have told me later how indispensable it is.
@Consolation Nope, no Kardashian friends. It’s just a different world these days. Many couples are choosing to have their children first and maybe get married later (not talking unexpected pregnancies.) Perhaps that is why their loved ones are more apt to have wedding style showers. Those that don’t go elaborate still tend to want more a “party” with couples and beer than a traditional baby shower. Do some googling. You will see what I’m talking about.
My baby shower was actually with couples and drinks (for everyone else 
). It took place in a rather cool modern condo in lower Manhattan. It was a lot of fun. About 10-12 people and didn’t involve a registry. Gifts included a teddy bear, baby clothes, etc.
I could really go for that cashmere throw, I must say!
Back in the day of my own and friends’ baby and wedding showers, I always greatly preferred the coed ones. It’s definitely not a new trend. Since I’ve always had as many male friends as female, it felt much more natural to me.
@doschicos I disagree that this isn’t a newer trend. Because some couples did it that way 20 years ago doesn’t mean that the majority did or that it was a trend back then. Today, the majority want co-Ed, regular party style or wedding style showers. I just had another baby 2 years ago and travel with the new moms again. It’s definetly different than 20 years ago. My all male co-workers surprised me with a sprinkle with my middle 18-years-ago but that was more unusual.
People can have whatever parties they want. Personally, I really enjoyed the more traditional style and find the co-Ed ones lacking in bonding over birth stories and enjoying tiny clothing.
The topic is gifts though and going off a registry make a lot more sense if you’ve got a hundred people showing up.
All I’m saying is it wasn’t unusual 20-30 years ago in my circles at all. Quite common and we had a lot of fun - males and females.
As far as bonding over birth stories, I don’t think birth stories belong at a pre-birth baby shower. Everyone’s births are different. No mother-to-be needs to hear about other people’s “in the trenches” details because people always seem to want to share the trials and tribulations. Nor do I care for a lot of those shower games. Good thing is, these days people don’t feel tied to traditional customs. They can follow them if they want or choose another style that is more in keeping with their social style and friend groups.
Slight change of subject: Am needing good suggestions for a gift for granddaughter’s st birthday. They suggested a new carseat (she is outgrowing the baby one) and that’s a fine gift, but I thought I’d check the cc brains to see if there are better thoughts. Ideas? No specific budget in mind…
I would still get the carseat, since that is what they want and need, and then add something else on . Some fun little toy or book to open up. Membership to zoo, aquarium, etc.