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35 Moms Share The Worst Baby Shower Gifts They Ever Got In This Honest Online Thread
Baby showers are a time to celebrate the little one on the way and give special (and needed!) gifts to the mom-to-be. So imagine you were invited to one. And that means you gotta find a gift. The reality is that expectant parents already have so much on their plate, so you want to get them a gift that’s going to be actually useful. A quick Google search shows thousands of baby shower gift ideas, from cute little toys to useful gadgets, the options are endless.
So picking up a present shouldn’t be much of a challenge. But many moms out there who received pretty questionable stuff from their baby shower guests claim this is not exactly the case. “What is the worst baby shower gift you received?” asked one Redditor on the Baby Bumps subreddit. The question seems to have hit close to home for many moms out there as they shared the weirdest and most inappropriate stuff they got to unpackage during their baby showers.
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#1
I got a kids size 10 shirt… like, one that a big kid could wear. We were really confused but said thank you and moved onto the next gift… the friend pulled me aside and apologized because he didn’t know anything about babies. We had a laugh about it and it’s still in my (almost) 4 year old’s closet. We have him put it on around his birthday every year and send a picture of him to our friend who gifted it to us. It’s tradition now lol
Bored Panda reached out to Tiffany Jenkins, the internet’s most loved content creator, best-selling author, wife, mother, and the author of her blog, “Juggling the Jenkins”. She has more than 5 million followers and counting on her Facebook page, and has been featured on national TV shows like The Today Show and The Doctors. Tiffany happily shared a couple of great ideas for baby shower gifts as well as some other insights into parenting.
When asked what is the best baby shower present a guest can bring, Tiffany said it’s hands-down diapers and wipes. “Babies go through an astronomical amount of diapers, having a stockpile of all different sizes ready to go is magical. There's nothing worse than going to grab a diaper when your baby has a blowout, and realizing that you're out. Taking a newborn to the store wrapped in a towel for diapers is always awkward,” she explained.
RELATED:
#2
I was super excited to find a turquoise pottery barn crib on craigslist for $75!! Made a fb post and everything.
Well for my shower my BiL and SiL decided to buy me a crib! Not so bad, but when I opened it she goes "this is so that you don't have to use that street crib, cuz let's be honest, it's a street crib". In front of everyone!! I grew up on second hand items and it was such a slap in the face, I wanted to just cry
#3
A cross…for my Jewish child. Yes, they knew.
Laura Mende (Human) 3 years ago
My mom had a friend who was Turkish. We are German. In their culture (she said) it is normal to gift a new baby a necklace or bracelet made of gold. It is lucky or something... We didn't know this tradition and mom was very confused when her friend showed up with jewelery for me, then 2 weeks old. I mean it's nice, the necklace got a big "L" on it and the bracelet spelt "Laura". But for my mom it was weird. She put it on me when we visited this particular friend and otherwise never. Now I'm thinking about selling it. I mean solid gold...!
#4
A giant bag of sexist girl clothes from Target from my MIL, after we specifically had a discussion about how much we hate sexist baby clothes and will never put our daughter in anything like that. We tried to return them but they were so deeply discounted Target couldn’t even take them back. They all went straight to Goodwill.
Miss Cris 3 years ago
Well, it isn't easy for them, neither. The organisation have to choose to accept it or to discretelly throw it. It's an agression to make people wear sexist clothes in order to not be naked. They only could be recycled to make balls for cats or the inside for some kind od cushion, for example.
K Sarfo 3 years ago
Theese are the only kind of clothes that should go straight to the trashcan. Phedophilia isnt cute" on any child!
Just Browsing 3 years ago
The thread is about baby shower gifts. She received onesies that were too 'girly'.
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
The same people who think that putting baby boys in pink will make them gay. (Idiots. The answer is idiots)
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Tristan J 3 years ago
I believe the OP meant sexist as in typically female. Like pink dresses when they wanted gender neutral. This thread demonstrates that quite a lot of commenters jumped to confusing sexist with sexy, which in this context reflects badly on them.
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
Nope, sexist was used correctly here. The notion that "Daddy" gets to determine who his daughter gets to date, as if she has no agency whatsoever, is incredibly sexist. It comes from the notion that men control women, and that women are property. The phrase written on the onesie implies that the father views his infant daughter as nothing more than an object to be sold when the time comes.
Bobby 3 years ago
My wife has some way of removing that stuff of its vinyl. The clothes are good, the message sucks
Blackstone 3 years ago (edited)
You can use a presser cloth and heat your iron up to the hottest the cloth type will stand. Warm up the vinyl and then use tweezers to pull away the vinyl. There are some other methods, but this is the only one I've used. I don't know how well it works for commercially printed shirts, but it worked with the vinyl I cut with my Cricut
Andy Acceber 3 years ago
What a shame. Target has especially awesome gender neutral baby clothes, too. 'The largest collection I've seen in any big box store. MIL would have had to specially seek out sexist baby clothes to find them there.
Kimi Tomminello 3 years ago
Not necessarily. Sounds like she found the clearance rack of stuff that no one else would buy without thinking about why no one else was buying them.
Anthony Nizza 3 years ago
Should have just thrown them away so no one else could get their hands on them.
AspieGirl88 3 years ago
No offence, but that’s fricking creepy. The only “dates” babies have are birth-dates & play-dates, so this kind of message is highly inappropriate! 🤨
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
The item in the picture illustrates how a parent can communicate that they already see their baby daughter as mostly being about having a vagina and being a sex object :-(
Lory 3 years ago
Please clarify. What made the clothes sexist? Was it a specific color or was something written on it?
Chancey 3 years ago
I'm thinking that they were pink and obviously girly looking with lace and ruffles.
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SilverSkyCloud 10 months ago
i saw a baby boys outfit with a top that had "ladys man" written on it
Littlebunnyfufu 3 years ago
I wondered the same thing. Is there a pic I'm missing? I feel like sometimes the accompanying pic doesn't show up. Haven't quite figured out if it's some sort of weird security setting I need to change?
SuperiorRat 3 years ago
The picture specifically shown here is "sorry noys, Daddy says no dating." on a baby's onesie. so yeah, it's mostly the stuff written on them.
kim morris 3 years ago
Honestly, I would have put them in the trash. I wouldn't have wanted to subject another baby to this kind of thinking.
Daniel Marsh 3 years ago
I don't understand modern society wherein pink and long hair and makeup and bras are treated like the true definition of gender. If a girl likes monster trucks and robots and dinosaurs, get her monster trucks and robots and dinosaurs;.
Amy Tarleton 3 years ago
Very concerned at how many people in the comments think sexist means sexy. Also confused as to how baby clothes are sexist.
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
When my niece was born, among the things I bought her was a black onesie with the caption, "You remind me of the babe." Needless to say, my brother and SIL loved it.
tabithapaquette98 1 year ago
So, not only did they not listen, but but the cheapest thing they could find? For their own grandchild? SMH
Shirley Heyn 3 years ago
Donate to a charity and let her know that is what you did and why! Take control of the situation and you'll be the winner here, else it will continue with her trying to control you & yours.
Ryan Parker 3 years ago
It’s a f*****g joke!!! Lighten up, you “woke” liberals!!! These comments are why nobody likes liberals!!
LaurieAnne Smith 3 years ago
Good on you for sticking to your guns-yourMIL aka OUTLAW will get the rules eventually
Fabian Meresse 3 years ago
Same issue with my mother's gifts for my daughters birthdays: ''What does she wants? -She's into dino's and Marvel Heroes these times'' Brings a doll as a birthday gift. Then blames me for them not playing with the toys she gifted....Then why do you ask if you'll stuck to YOUR idea anyway ?!
Blackstone 3 years ago
Can we stop putting dating, flirting, etc. phrases in baby clothes? I couldn't even in good conscience donate the stuff because I feel like it promotes early sexualization. I absolutely hate it.
Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago
So dump them on poor people so poor girls grow up with a complex. Smart.
Chris Hills 3 years ago
So, let's put it on another child. Good thinking. A BBQ or dumpster fire would have been appropriate.
Let’s All Just Try And Be Decent 3 years ago
In a way, clothes are clothes, they grow out of them so fast, it might have been that she thought she could afford more this way and provide for you as they were discounted? I obviously don't know the whole situation, and I'm glad they went to Good Will and not in the bin, but yeah, I don't know. Some of it must have been usable, sew a patch or just put a bib on the slogans? Use them for sleepwear / painting or some stuff like that? I'm guessing some of it was down right offensive so I get it, but in the context of this list, clothes are clothes... that will last maybe a month anyway before going to good will. I'm sure a lot of people will be grateful to get anything. Still, just, not the worst on this list maybe?
MyOpinionHasBeenServed 3 years ago
I recall when Target was in Canada. They were ridiculous with their no-returns policies, even with a receipt. One lady was distraught she couldn't even get an exchange for a pair of 2 left toddler shoes.
Pamela Blue 3 years ago
And that was why Target only last 6 months in Canada. They had to pack up and go back to the US because they were such a disaster.
NotTodaySatan!! 3 years ago
If this is the worst thing that has happened to you I think you'll be ok. What a weird hill to die on. What a weird thing to be so upset about at all....
Glirpy 3 years ago (edited)
Sorry, but this is a lie. Target will take back ANYTHING! It’s fine if you take them to Goodwill and the clothes are indeed awful, but don’t lie! I worked there while in college and we took back a floor rug that was literally 3 years old and the backing was all worn off and it was all dirty on the front. The person brought it back with a receipt and we accepted it.
Don't Look 3 years ago
The picture kinda rubs me the wrong way. I see where it would be funny or whatever but it's ... so very wrong.
Another great idea to bring to the baby shower is baby clothes in larger sizes. “My babies grew like weeds and would only get to wear an outfit a handful of times before it became too tight,” Tiffany said and added that “Having new clothes in bigger sizes already in the closet is incredibly helpful.”
“ZIPPER pajamas,” Tiffany added to her go-to baby shower gift list. However, it should never be snap-button pajamas. “I learned this the hard way. Waking up exhausted at 3:00 am to change a diaper is hard enough... Trying to snap 64 buttons back together while your kid thrashes around like a baby alligator is like the eighteenth level of 'Jumanji,’” she told us.
#5
My MIL gave me this beautiful "sleeping bag" that was handmade and my SO used it when he was a baby so it actually ment a lot to me cause we dont really have the best relationship. The day after my baby shower she told me she wanted it back and I can borrow it from her if I wanted to use it. felt very awkward about it because I told everyone of this lovely present...
#6
First baby... A card from my sister in law, pretty much saying I'm not ready to be a parent and that she hopes i "don't damage the child." It came with the "What To Expect," book series for birth through age 5. Lol. Also... She spent the entire party ragging on me to everybody. I had met her once prior to this. She was excused
#7
MIL had a shower with all her friends and gave me the presents afterwards. I wasnt even invited
Final score:
306points
For those guests who are in for a splurge for the expecting mom, the best expensive gift is a gift card. “Sometimes moms don't realize what they need until they are already knee-deep in motherhood, remembering you have a gift card to use for it is a huge relief later on.”
Although according to Tiffany, any gift is a nice gift, there are a few that aren't the best, if she’s being honest. “A baby drum set, for example—is not a fun time for the mom. Toys that make a lot of noise or take up a lot of space aren't the greatest. Definitely don't get her a gift certificate to a gym, and I'd skip the lingerie.”
#8
My husbands family thought it would be funny to give me a box of condoms, this was a shower for our second son. I was NOT pleased as a 38week pregnant woman. 1 because sex was the last thing on my list, and 2 how tacky and rude can you be. Oddly enough nobody fessed up to who brought the gift when I asked? I know my face indicated I would be murdering whoever it was.
#9
A gift set of baby medicine that all expired before she was born
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
Why would you even give baby medicines as a baby shower gift? You get them for free from your health care insurance if they really need medication.
#10
Fisher Price Rockn'Play bassinett...we got lucky but the headlines were so true. After I told the gift giver about the near deadly encounter with our newborn, she became annoyed that we returned it through the recall claim. We're no longer friends.
When asked whether guests are always expected to bring in a gift, Tiffany said that there is definitely an expectation to bring a gift, “since that's pretty much the main purpose for a baby shower.” She added that “I do think some people just enjoy being around others and feeling like the center of attention for a day as well. I wrote on my invitation that they didn't have to bring gifts, I just wanted to celebrate. They brought gifts anyway, of course.”
#11
My mother in law got us an ugly bookshelf after asking us if we had one and after we told her we did (and had it all set up in our small nursery). She also got us a wipe warmer after she knew that we were against using one (don’t need babe getting used to warm wipes when we are on the go so frequently). She then made a loud comment about how this other babe in the fam is probably much more protected from Covid because of all the breastfeeding (and I’m vaxed AND freshly boosted). She knows we’re not breastfeeding and just took it as a chance to give a jab. I made up for it though - after opening all of the gifts at the shower I proudly announced and thanked my mom for giving us the best gift of all - several weeks of sleep (via a night nurse). Everything she does is deliberate - but two can play the game.
RaroaRaroa 3 years ago
A wipe warmer!? You've got be kidding me. I can't even believe such a thing exists.
#12
I got birth control pills…
#13
So when my son was born, my brother in law gave me a card. When I read the card, he wrote that he bought 2 football game tickets. One for him and one for my husband…… And he got me, the one who had a baby in her belly for roughly 10 months absolutely nothing.
J. Normal 3 years ago
Cute that Dad got thought of, but in general it would have been even nicer to give a gift to both ( football tickets for Dad and a day of babysitting for Mom). When I had my Son the only gift I got was a diaper service for 1 month. Everything else was 100% geared towards the baby.
Moreover, Tiffany said that she’s noticed lots of her friends doing "virtual" baby showers nowadays, “which is cool. They put out their 'wishlist' on social media a few weeks ahead, then on baby shower day, they go live and open the gifts.”
“I think moms feel like they need a ton of gadgets and contraptions and baby furniture and the latest carseat in order to bring a baby into the world,” she said and added that “The truth is, babies don't need nearly as much as we initially think. All they really need is food, a place to sleep, something to catch their poop, and love. The rest is just a bonus!”
#14
My own mother gave me a notebook for my baby shower that was supposed to be filled with supportive messages from people who attended. Except that her own message was so scathing and pretty much just repeated in different ways how much I was going to struggle as a mother. I got good mileage out of passing it around and laughing at it with my husband's family, who are well aware of how insane my parents are
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
As long as they know that their parents are insane, there's nothing that the parents can do or say that will hurt or upset them.
#15
A onesie that said “they did not stay 6 feet apart”
#16
My sister got me a random basket from target that says "Baby" on it with a target grocery bag with random baby goods like wipes and such ._. Not wrapped or anything. The gift itself wasn't so bad but then my mom went on a 15 minute speech about how beautiful her gift is and how wonderful my sister was to take the time to make me a beautiful basket despite her busy schedule.
They came to the baby shower for a full 10 minutes, complained about the party, my sister only talked about herself and her pregnancies and how much she had it worse than me.. asked how much I weighed and tried to compare. then left. I was glad they left before other people showed up.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
Don't get why OP let them stay for 10 minutes. She should have thrown them out after 5.
#17
A box of uncooked pasta and girl stuff ....FYI I don't know if its a boy or girl and made that clear to everyone that the gender is a surprise.....and the pasta i can't even explain
#18
A “my first 5 years” memory book, with a kids name already in it and the “when we found out we were expecting” says Thanksgiving 2013
#19
Not me but my SIL received a “time out chair” from a relative when she had her first. It was a children’s rocking chair with a clock imbedded in it and lots of s**tty sayings on it like “you have to think about what you did” and creepy stuff like that. Also it was clearly for an older child and not a newborn. We all had a good laugh about it after then donated it.
#20
A dirty teddy bear that smelled like cigarettes. When we called for the story, thinking maybe it was a childhood toy that had been saved, he said “ohh no, I just found that at the thrift store”
#21
Used and open items. came from my SIL’s brother in law and his wife. I am all for hand-me-downs, but like..open containers of baby power and butt cream that are half used, as their present…lmao. Oh, and it was all packed in a dirty, used diaper backpack.
#22
My friend’s BIL got them a giant abstract painting meant to personify the terror of a nightmare for their nursery….it was literally the scariest thing I’ve ever seen and he was not at all kidding. He really didn’t get why it freaked them out…
#24
I have a pretty “crunchy” friend who marked a bunch of stuff as purchased on my registry and then gifted “natural” versions of the items…I have to think it was just her being thoughtful (as in, she was thinking she got the “better” version of the thing I registered for) but a lot of the stuff she got is just packed with essential oils. I also put a good amount of research into the items I wanted so it was just kind of annoying and I don’t really believe in herbal tinctures or organic always being better. I just want diaper cream and soaps/lotions/nipple cream that works! Oh and a lot of it wasn’t returnable.
#25
My best friend got me a 50 cent machine ducky and five dollars. I wasn’t upset until she asked for the $5 back for gas money.
#26
A dog toy that I’m fairly certain had been used (no tags, and there was a stain).
#27
A homemade blanket with a sewing needle stuck inside it that we discovered when baby was a few months old.
#28
An absolutely hideous baby onesie dress in black, bedazzled with the words “My First Little Black Dress” in pink.
I think I threw it in the garbage instead of donating it.
#29
A thing to hang on the wall of the baby’s room that was covered in ribbon strung with loose beads. Nothing was knotted or secured in any way. Several beads fell off as I lifted it out of the box. So… they gave me a choking hazard for my baby
#30
MULTIPLE pillows for the tooth fairy. Like, what?? And they were shaped like teeth or had a pocket shaped like a tooth, no denying that they were designed as tooth fairy pillows.
Not offensive, just hilarious.
#31
Those puff snacks that expired before the baby was going to be old enough to eat them.
#32
a box of smoke infused dirty books
we seriously left them in the garage they reeked of smoke so much.
Anyone-for-tea? 3 years ago
I think smokers just don’t realise how much the smoke gets through to everything if they smoke in their home. My mum smokes and every time she gives me something I have to wipe it down, air it or wash it.
#33
My grandma got me a can of beans and canned enchilada sauce... pretty sure they were from her pantry and they were like 10 years old.
RaroaRaroa 3 years ago
Unless Grandma is always stingy, I'd like to say Grandma did her best. Be kind.
#34
Got a onesie from someone that said “best younger sister” when I’m a FTM with only one baby. I gave the onesie away.
Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
I assume it was second hand and the fabric was still okay? People are giving an awful lot of clothes away for stupid reasons. It is not that the saying was offensive or anything, it just does not fit (same as the one with the dog). Is it really that important? The baby will grow out of it in a matter of weeks! Be glad that you have another set of clothes to change the small one into after a carrot or spinach accident and be done with it...
#35
A pink Sonicare electric toothbrush, for my newborn son.
What do you think ?
Ace Girl 3 years ago
Chill. They're simply answering the prompt when asked what was the worst baby shower gift they received. It's not that serious.
Load More Replies... MyOpinionHasBeenServed 3 years ago
Yeah. It may be their worst but not exactly THE worst, and their worst may not even be terrible even in their eyes.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 3 years ago
I find baby showers tacky... I've gone to a couple that were just cwlebrations, no present needed. But the GoFundMyBaby attitude doesn't feels right to me.
Lindy Mac 2 years ago
Same thing with weddings.... I got invited to one... I barely new the father of the bride and I did not know the bride and groom at all.... but I felt obligated to get a gift.
SuperChicken 3 years ago
Seems that way. So many lost the art of being gracious and grateful. Don't forget, many people lost their sense of humor.
Glirpy 3 years ago
People get really weird when they have children. So many of these posts seem incredibly entitled. Like people owe them for having children. I’m tempted to give the next person I know that has a kid a card that says, “You owe me $50 for having to put up with looking at your kid and listening to it cry all the time.” That’s funny, right?
lenka 3 years ago
We asked our guests to gift a copy of their favourite children's book with a message written inside for the baby. It was amazing. We got beautiful books and amazing stories and wonderful messages. We received books for ages from baby to pre-teen. Its the shower gift that just keeps giving and our kids love the $2 cardboard books and the messages inside as much as the more expensive books (and some even more).
Gin. No tonic 3 years ago
What an amazing idea! And even less financially fortunate friends can participate evenly.
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Heather Pobicki 3 years ago
Yes we did that instead of a card. It's nice to see their inscriptions when reading the books
MeghanD 1 year ago
We did something similar by asking for a book, new or old whichever they preferred, in lieu of cards. My son was born with a full library and so many sweet messages written in them! He’s currently 2 and in his room pulling book after book making my husband read them as I type lol.
NsG 3 years ago
It runs the gamut between "ungrateful recipient" and "actively dangerous/thoughtless giver". And there's some overlap, just to be fair.
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Tonya Wallace 3 years ago
With the exception of the obviously malicious entries, people forgot the meaning of the word gift. People don't HAVE to give your ungrateful asses anything.
Lovin' Life 3 years ago
This posting just made me kind of angry and sad at the same time. I couldn't imagine being so ungrateful!
Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
I am totally with you! So many ungrateful and entitled people publicly complaining about GIFTS. How about - you don't get anything? Better? As a child I had clothes and toys that my parents already got second or third hand for my (much older) siblings. Then they travelled down the line to me and then further on to my nieces and nephews. Nobody gave a flying duck about what was printed on the shirts, if the colour is still in fashion or how many children all around our village had already worn this piece before. If it is still okay, say thank you, wash it - good to go!
Carbonel 3 years ago (edited)
Baby showers aren’t a thing in the UK and I’m so glad. Yes, we gift to friends and family when a new baby comes along. But it’s all very ad hoc … you tend to give when you visit, whenever that is. All this “look what so and so got me” and showing off presents sounds horrible to me. However, there’s a tradition in Scotland… which I didn’t know until I had a kid, despite being Scottish! … to put some money in a new baby’s pram. I mean total strangers in the street. Not everyone does it, but some older folk did it (just small, token amounts) when I went shopping with bubba for the first time, and a golfer stuffed a tenner in the pram when I was out for a walk! 😆🥰
Candia Lee 3 years ago
I like that idea. I'm sure USAers would take it wrong.
Load More Replies... NsG 3 years ago
I have my friend's baby shower next month. Based on this list, I'm pretty confident that what I've got her (and baby) will be a success.
Stephanie IV 3 years ago
..a faux fur onesie with „dad couldn’t keep his d**k in his pants“ sequined onto it. Loosely.
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Carol Emory 3 years ago
My mother and my aunt actually gave me one of the best presents...A huge box off second hand baby clothes. Why spend money on brand new clothes when second hand ones were used less than 4 months. There were some pretty good outfits in there. Turned out they'd spent a couple of weekends going to garage sales and second hand stores to find the best stuff.
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
It's a party that knocked up women have before they squeeze out their crotch goblins, with the sole purpose of expecting people to give you presents. If you're invited, it's basically been decided for you that you are to provide some of the extravagant "necessities" for someone else's kid, or be judged extremely harshly and maybe lose that person as a friend because you didn't drop enough money on them.
Mer☕️🧭☕️ 3 years ago
FB first-time-parent friends set up a wish-list on so people could send them stuff (they are NOT well-off) if they wanted so I anon selected and sent baby socks, a couple of onsies, and added 2 big jars of a very good instant coffee - tastes great and is instant... From later posts, that was the most appreciated thing, lol.
CatGirl 3 years ago
I probably shouldn't have read this post, but I think the idea of a baby shower is yet another stupid Americanism which just reinforces the tired idea of the 'celebrity' of motherhood. Yawn.
Alexandra Konigsburg 3 years ago
Well, that's what you get when you assume. The concept of baby showers in different forms is pretty old. Part of my (not American) family comes from a culture that's been doing a version of it for ages. More recently, more people seem to need to turn everything it a major event for social media although I imagine those people would have done so anyways. Then there are people having lowkey hang-out-with-friends-before-I'm-constantly-exhausted events that don't feel the need to broadcast it.
Lord Mysticlaw 3 years ago
My newborn daughter got a cute little hoodie that said "I love my daddy". I was a single mom who was getting regular nightmares and panic attacks about "daddy", who was an abusive douchebag.
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago (edited)
As a Brit I've never quite got my head around baby showers, especially when I found out the 'shower' means 'shower me with gifts'. In the UK, of course, people give gifts to newborn babies and their parents, but we don't have a system for demanding them. I find it astonishing that you can throw a party for literally no other reason than telling people they have to come and give you things. It always seemed a bit entitled to me. If people that know they don't know what to give are being told they have to, I'm not surprised some of the presents are a bit off.
Peter Weir 3 years ago
Lots of spoiled ladies...gifts were given..be greatful that you got anything.
Alexandra Konigsburg 3 years ago
There are so many weird assumptions that the receiver was rude or ungracious to the giver. A lot of these are just objectively bad ideas to give as baby gifts. Not recommended. That's all. It ain't that deep. The people commenting things like "Shut up and be grateful that you even have a grandmother to given you random expired foods." are doing a lot of projecting.
MyOpinionHasBeenServed 3 years ago
My MIL tried setting up a baby shower with the ladies at her church (at the time I was quite open about having other spiritual beliefs). I respectfully declined, worried they were going to try to take it as opportune time to convert me or shame me. But they showed up to my place, anyways, with the gifts. It was an awkward moment. I think I may have offended my MIL and I now feel like I should have just allowed them to throw me a nice shower. They bought my daughter one of those super saucers and an electric swing that drove my mom up the wall. It was not a fun time. I don't recommend those super saucer things. Although they look fun the "interactive" toys are all attached with limited functions. The teethy ring barely reaches your baby's mouth. It's super loud when they jump in it and it entertains them for maybe a couple minutes. It's awkward to play with them because they have this Saturn's ring separating you from her/him. I can't even say they're safe. I accepted the gift, tho.
Alexandra Konigsburg 3 years ago
Some of those rings are super loud, but others are fine. As for getting use out of it, this really depends on the kid. One of my kids LOVED bouncing around in it and the other would curl up his legs under him rather than go in. I'm lucky that there's a very active swap on FB in my area. You can give different things a try without spending loads of money. For example, a bumbo seat was super helpful for about 2 weeks with one kid. I would not have spent the $50 to buy one new but appreciated getting to use one while it helped and then pass it along.
Jo Choto 3 years ago
I would never have a problem with someone giving me a cheap gift, but I think it would bother me to be given something expired or dirty when it's for a baby. Fact is, most places have some equivalent of a dollar store and even if it's something just cute and funny, it can be clean and new for next to nothing. Then again, I think the general idea of having a party to elicit gifts from people because you're having a baby is also weird.
Paradise 3 years ago (edited)
Not a baby shower gift but my mom found a thrift shop lingerie top and gifted it for me when I got married, which I opened in a restaurant with her, my MIL and friends. I am not a lingerie person, attractive, etc. I never wore it.
Alexandra Konigsburg 3 years ago
As much as I love thrifting and some vintage lingerie can be gorgeous and well-made, that's a line I can't cross. Too intimate for me, even if it gets dry cleaned.
Lisa Intally 3 years ago
You need a car seat for the appropriate age, diapers, wipes, a bassinet, swaddling clothes, NON-BPA bottles, a bottle sterilizer, an electric pump (if you are going use a pump) and that's about it to get started. Then, check the new parents' baby gift registry to see what they want.
Little Wonder 3 years ago
"PeOPlE ArE So UnGrAteFUl" So many saints on BP who've never disliked a gift I guess.
MissyKrissy 3 years ago
My best friend gifted my second born son a football at my baby shower. At first I thought it was cute, she's really into sports, but then I read the note.... "So your son knows what team to play for when he grows up". I'm Pansexual and everyone around me knows that I raise my children to be WHOEVER and HOWEVER they choose. Screw her, my son is now 13.... His favorite color is pink, loves to dance and hates sports. I'm one very proud mama.
Aisling Raye 3 years ago
Some of these were awful, some of them were just not well thought out....all of them made me nostalgic for the times when my friends, siblings, and cousins were having kids and that spiraled into some weird existential crisis from realizing how old we've gotten. What I think I'm trying to say is that this BP post was a pretty wild ride to start the day with lol.
tabithapaquette98 1 year ago
If you can't afford to buy a gift, then don't. I would rather get nothing then some used old nasty stuff.
AzKhaleesi 3 years ago
I'm sorry but a lot of these people are just entitled, ungrateful people. A LOT of these things can be re purposed, cleaned, aired out what not. To get rid of a onsie because it mentions a dog and you don't have one... smh. The baby can't read, no one cares, I promise no one will stop you and be like omg you have a DOG?! no, they will be like awww your baby is so sweet ,cute, (whatever adjective you want).
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
So many of these just reeked of entitlement. Why do people have to drop a ton of money on you just cause you happened to boink without protection?
Monday 3 years ago
Registries have been a thing for decades. It's to help people who can't decide what to buy pick something the parents want or need and to avoid duplicate gifts. You don't HAVE to buy something from the registry, it's just there if you need ideas or suggestions.
Load More Replies... Alexandra Konigsburg 3 years ago
Yup. It's also common for people to get together and chip in for a larger item, like a stroller. Trying to figure out strollers for my own kid was hard enough, I don't want to spend all that money and have to guess what type of stroller would work for their lifestyle, carseat, etc. Especially if they already have one.
Rose the Cook 3 years ago
Understandable for a wedding where gifts are often expensive but baby showers used to be small gifts. Does it really matter if you get two nappy bags or toiletry packs?
Monday 3 years ago
Depends on your outlook I suppose. I hate giving someone something they didn't want or didn't need as a gift, since I know it's either going to sit and rot somewhere or be donated. I'd much rather get them something useful they actually want/need. If that's not something you focus on too much then no, it wouldn't matter.
lenka 3 years ago
We didn't do a registry (we asked for books) but I can see the benefit for those that want to avoid double ups. What am I going to do with two baby baths or three nappy bags or thirty newborn onsies? It's just a waste. I'm happy to buy from a registry (provided it is reasonable for every budget) because I'd rather gift the parents something they want/need.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Registries go back a long time, and are basically ways of saying, "Here's our ideal list, I hope you get something off it" for *most* people.
Aisling Raye 3 years ago
Registries are not a new thing. Most people use them for the "big stuff" necessities that close family would buy and items that are very specific/personal. Items like a crib, a rocker, a changing table, a stroller, and possibly more importantly, the very personal items like a breast pump, bottle warmer, co-sleeper, or other things that require intimate knowledge of how the parents will be raising baby. It's so that those very personal and/or expensive gifts are what the parents actually want and will use and so those items won't be duplicated. No expectant parent needs the stress (or has the time) to return and exchange things. IMHO registries only fall into the category of entitled when they include unnecessarily expensive (and generally useless) stuff like Tiffany & Co baby rattles or Gucci baby shoes. I hope my little rant helped to clear that up for you. <3
Ace Girl 3 years ago
Chill. They're simply answering the prompt when asked what was the worst baby shower gift they received. It's not that serious.
Load More Replies... MyOpinionHasBeenServed 3 years ago
Yeah. It may be their worst but not exactly THE worst, and their worst may not even be terrible even in their eyes.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 3 years ago
I find baby showers tacky... I've gone to a couple that were just cwlebrations, no present needed. But the GoFundMyBaby attitude doesn't feels right to me.
Lindy Mac 2 years ago
Same thing with weddings.... I got invited to one... I barely new the father of the bride and I did not know the bride and groom at all.... but I felt obligated to get a gift.
SuperChicken 3 years ago
Seems that way. So many lost the art of being gracious and grateful. Don't forget, many people lost their sense of humor.
Glirpy 3 years ago
People get really weird when they have children. So many of these posts seem incredibly entitled. Like people owe them for having children. I’m tempted to give the next person I know that has a kid a card that says, “You owe me $50 for having to put up with looking at your kid and listening to it cry all the time.” That’s funny, right?
lenka 3 years ago
We asked our guests to gift a copy of their favourite children's book with a message written inside for the baby. It was amazing. We got beautiful books and amazing stories and wonderful messages. We received books for ages from baby to pre-teen. Its the shower gift that just keeps giving and our kids love the $2 cardboard books and the messages inside as much as the more expensive books (and some even more).
Gin. No tonic 3 years ago
What an amazing idea! And even less financially fortunate friends can participate evenly.
Load More Replies... Heather Pobicki 3 years ago
Yes we did that instead of a card. It's nice to see their inscriptions when reading the books
MeghanD 1 year ago
We did something similar by asking for a book, new or old whichever they preferred, in lieu of cards. My son was born with a full library and so many sweet messages written in them! He’s currently 2 and in his room pulling book after book making my husband read them as I type lol.
NsG 3 years ago
It runs the gamut between "ungrateful recipient" and "actively dangerous/thoughtless giver". And there's some overlap, just to be fair.
Load More Replies... Tonya Wallace 3 years ago
With the exception of the obviously malicious entries, people forgot the meaning of the word gift. People don't HAVE to give your ungrateful asses anything.
Lovin' Life 3 years ago
This posting just made me kind of angry and sad at the same time. I couldn't imagine being so ungrateful!
Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
I am totally with you! So many ungrateful and entitled people publicly complaining about GIFTS. How about - you don't get anything? Better? As a child I had clothes and toys that my parents already got second or third hand for my (much older) siblings. Then they travelled down the line to me and then further on to my nieces and nephews. Nobody gave a flying duck about what was printed on the shirts, if the colour is still in fashion or how many children all around our village had already worn this piece before. If it is still okay, say thank you, wash it - good to go!
Carbonel 3 years ago (edited)
Baby showers aren’t a thing in the UK and I’m so glad. Yes, we gift to friends and family when a new baby comes along. But it’s all very ad hoc … you tend to give when you visit, whenever that is. All this “look what so and so got me” and showing off presents sounds horrible to me. However, there’s a tradition in Scotland… which I didn’t know until I had a kid, despite being Scottish! … to put some money in a new baby’s pram. I mean total strangers in the street. Not everyone does it, but some older folk did it (just small, token amounts) when I went shopping with bubba for the first time, and a golfer stuffed a tenner in the pram when I was out for a walk! 😆🥰
Candia Lee 3 years ago
I like that idea. I'm sure USAers would take it wrong.
Load More Replies... NsG 3 years ago
I have my friend's baby shower next month. Based on this list, I'm pretty confident that what I've got her (and baby) will be a success.
Stephanie IV 3 years ago
..a faux fur onesie with „dad couldn’t keep his d**k in his pants“ sequined onto it. Loosely.
Load More Replies... Carol Emory 3 years ago
My mother and my aunt actually gave me one of the best presents...A huge box off second hand baby clothes. Why spend money on brand new clothes when second hand ones were used less than 4 months. There were some pretty good outfits in there. Turned out they'd spent a couple of weekends going to garage sales and second hand stores to find the best stuff.
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
It's a party that knocked up women have before they squeeze out their crotch goblins, with the sole purpose of expecting people to give you presents. If you're invited, it's basically been decided for you that you are to provide some of the extravagant "necessities" for someone else's kid, or be judged extremely harshly and maybe lose that person as a friend because you didn't drop enough money on them.
Mer☕️🧭☕️ 3 years ago
FB first-time-parent friends set up a wish-list on so people could send them stuff (they are NOT well-off) if they wanted so I anon selected and sent baby socks, a couple of onsies, and added 2 big jars of a very good instant coffee - tastes great and is instant... From later posts, that was the most appreciated thing, lol.
CatGirl 3 years ago
I probably shouldn't have read this post, but I think the idea of a baby shower is yet another stupid Americanism which just reinforces the tired idea of the 'celebrity' of motherhood. Yawn.
Alexandra Konigsburg 3 years ago
Well, that's what you get when you assume. The concept of baby showers in different forms is pretty old. Part of my (not American) family comes from a culture that's been doing a version of it for ages. More recently, more people seem to need to turn everything it a major event for social media although I imagine those people would have done so anyways. Then there are people having lowkey hang-out-with-friends-before-I'm-constantly-exhausted events that don't feel the need to broadcast it.
Lord Mysticlaw 3 years ago
My newborn daughter got a cute little hoodie that said "I love my daddy". I was a single mom who was getting regular nightmares and panic attacks about "daddy", who was an abusive douchebag.
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago (edited)
As a Brit I've never quite got my head around baby showers, especially when I found out the 'shower' means 'shower me with gifts'. In the UK, of course, people give gifts to newborn babies and their parents, but we don't have a system for demanding them. I find it astonishing that you can throw a party for literally no other reason than telling people they have to come and give you things. It always seemed a bit entitled to me. If people that know they don't know what to give are being told they have to, I'm not surprised some of the presents are a bit off.
Peter Weir 3 years ago
Lots of spoiled ladies...gifts were given..be greatful that you got anything.
Alexandra Konigsburg 3 years ago
There are so many weird assumptions that the receiver was rude or ungracious to the giver. A lot of these are just objectively bad ideas to give as baby gifts. Not recommended. That's all. It ain't that deep. The people commenting things like "Shut up and be grateful that you even have a grandmother to given you random expired foods." are doing a lot of projecting.
MyOpinionHasBeenServed 3 years ago
My MIL tried setting up a baby shower with the ladies at her church (at the time I was quite open about having other spiritual beliefs). I respectfully declined, worried they were going to try to take it as opportune time to convert me or shame me. But they showed up to my place, anyways, with the gifts. It was an awkward moment. I think I may have offended my MIL and I now feel like I should have just allowed them to throw me a nice shower. They bought my daughter one of those super saucers and an electric swing that drove my mom up the wall. It was not a fun time. I don't recommend those super saucer things. Although they look fun the "interactive" toys are all attached with limited functions. The teethy ring barely reaches your baby's mouth. It's super loud when they jump in it and it entertains them for maybe a couple minutes. It's awkward to play with them because they have this Saturn's ring separating you from her/him. I can't even say they're safe. I accepted the gift, tho.
Alexandra Konigsburg 3 years ago
Some of those rings are super loud, but others are fine. As for getting use out of it, this really depends on the kid. One of my kids LOVED bouncing around in it and the other would curl up his legs under him rather than go in. I'm lucky that there's a very active swap on FB in my area. You can give different things a try without spending loads of money. For example, a bumbo seat was super helpful for about 2 weeks with one kid. I would not have spent the $50 to buy one new but appreciated getting to use one while it helped and then pass it along.
Jo Choto 3 years ago
I would never have a problem with someone giving me a cheap gift, but I think it would bother me to be given something expired or dirty when it's for a baby. Fact is, most places have some equivalent of a dollar store and even if it's something just cute and funny, it can be clean and new for next to nothing. Then again, I think the general idea of having a party to elicit gifts from people because you're having a baby is also weird.
Paradise 3 years ago (edited)
Not a baby shower gift but my mom found a thrift shop lingerie top and gifted it for me when I got married, which I opened in a restaurant with her, my MIL and friends. I am not a lingerie person, attractive, etc. I never wore it.
Alexandra Konigsburg 3 years ago
As much as I love thrifting and some vintage lingerie can be gorgeous and well-made, that's a line I can't cross. Too intimate for me, even if it gets dry cleaned.
Lisa Intally 3 years ago
You need a car seat for the appropriate age, diapers, wipes, a bassinet, swaddling clothes, NON-BPA bottles, a bottle sterilizer, an electric pump (if you are going use a pump) and that's about it to get started. Then, check the new parents' baby gift registry to see what they want.
Little Wonder 3 years ago
"PeOPlE ArE So UnGrAteFUl" So many saints on BP who've never disliked a gift I guess.
MissyKrissy 3 years ago
My best friend gifted my second born son a football at my baby shower. At first I thought it was cute, she's really into sports, but then I read the note.... "So your son knows what team to play for when he grows up". I'm Pansexual and everyone around me knows that I raise my children to be WHOEVER and HOWEVER they choose. Screw her, my son is now 13.... His favorite color is pink, loves to dance and hates sports. I'm one very proud mama.
Aisling Raye 3 years ago
Some of these were awful, some of them were just not well thought out....all of them made me nostalgic for the times when my friends, siblings, and cousins were having kids and that spiraled into some weird existential crisis from realizing how old we've gotten. What I think I'm trying to say is that this BP post was a pretty wild ride to start the day with lol.
tabithapaquette98 1 year ago
If you can't afford to buy a gift, then don't. I would rather get nothing then some used old nasty stuff.
AzKhaleesi 3 years ago
I'm sorry but a lot of these people are just entitled, ungrateful people. A LOT of these things can be re purposed, cleaned, aired out what not. To get rid of a onsie because it mentions a dog and you don't have one... smh. The baby can't read, no one cares, I promise no one will stop you and be like omg you have a DOG?! no, they will be like awww your baby is so sweet ,cute, (whatever adjective you want).
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
So many of these just reeked of entitlement. Why do people have to drop a ton of money on you just cause you happened to boink without protection?
Monday 3 years ago
Registries have been a thing for decades. It's to help people who can't decide what to buy pick something the parents want or need and to avoid duplicate gifts. You don't HAVE to buy something from the registry, it's just there if you need ideas or suggestions.
Load More Replies... Alexandra Konigsburg 3 years ago
Yup. It's also common for people to get together and chip in for a larger item, like a stroller. Trying to figure out strollers for my own kid was hard enough, I don't want to spend all that money and have to guess what type of stroller would work for their lifestyle, carseat, etc. Especially if they already have one.
Rose the Cook 3 years ago
Understandable for a wedding where gifts are often expensive but baby showers used to be small gifts. Does it really matter if you get two nappy bags or toiletry packs?
Monday 3 years ago
Depends on your outlook I suppose. I hate giving someone something they didn't want or didn't need as a gift, since I know it's either going to sit and rot somewhere or be donated. I'd much rather get them something useful they actually want/need. If that's not something you focus on too much then no, it wouldn't matter.
lenka 3 years ago
We didn't do a registry (we asked for books) but I can see the benefit for those that want to avoid double ups. What am I going to do with two baby baths or three nappy bags or thirty newborn onsies? It's just a waste. I'm happy to buy from a registry (provided it is reasonable for every budget) because I'd rather gift the parents something they want/need.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Registries go back a long time, and are basically ways of saying, "Here's our ideal list, I hope you get something off it" for *most* people.
Aisling Raye 3 years ago
Registries are not a new thing. Most people use them for the "big stuff" necessities that close family would buy and items that are very specific/personal. Items like a crib, a rocker, a changing table, a stroller, and possibly more importantly, the very personal items like a breast pump, bottle warmer, co-sleeper, or other things that require intimate knowledge of how the parents will be raising baby. It's so that those very personal and/or expensive gifts are what the parents actually want and will use and so those items won't be duplicated. No expectant parent needs the stress (or has the time) to return and exchange things. IMHO registries only fall into the category of entitled when they include unnecessarily expensive (and generally useless) stuff like Tiffany & Co baby rattles or Gucci baby shoes. I hope my little rant helped to clear that up for you. <3
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