https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:31:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts/page/2#post-2272336 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 07:56:09 +0000 LuLu Mom 2272336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I understand your feeling, you don't want to be ungrateful but you receive a lot of stuff you don't necessarily need. Having a girl I ended up with a LOT of ruffles/pink/princess/ect. attire. Some I returned, some I kept, but it was pretty well known that I'm not a pink/ruffle type person. I returned what I didn't need and then used the credit toward stuff I did need, but in the end it didn't matter. Those homemade gifts are great to save for your son to pass on to his kids, my most cherished gift is a quilt my daughter's great great grandma made before passing way. It doesn't match but I could care less who else can say she's got something made just for her by hee GG Grandma? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts/page/2#post-2272036 Mon, 24 Aug 2015 19:07:06 +0000 BSB 2272036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kaliopey: So glad to hear from you! Don't forget to check out consignment sales. JBF (or just between friends) usually has a fall consignment sale. You can pick up some used gear and clothing for a great price. Plus, they usually allow first time moms to shop early. There should be a JBF sale local to your area. Best of luck to you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts/page/2#post-2271965 Mon, 24 Aug 2015 17:41:49 +0000 youboots 2271965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kaliopey: xo. It's going to be great Mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts/page/2#post-2271951 Mon, 24 Aug 2015 17:33:59 +0000 kaliopey 2271951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you to everyone who took time to respond. It's nice to hear from those who have had a similar experience. All of you are right, especially those who reminded me that I need to be grateful for the handmade items, even if they are not practical or necessarily my taste. I myself love to make things by hand for friends and family, and though I try to make things I think suits them and is useful, I may have been wrong (and they may have cherished it despite that). </p> <p>I am very grateful for all of our loved ones who drove many miles to celebrate with us or sent a gift in their absence. It also means a lot that they spent time making or buying gifts (though they didn't have to). We are very blessed that our little one is already so loved.</p> <p>I will return duplicates and exchange items that may have been purchased in the wrong color or pattern. I will learn to cherish the handmade items. I will try not to stress about all of the unpurchased registry items. We can look for second-hand big ticket items, use gift cards, and wait to purchase anything that is not a necessity. </p> <p>Thanks again to everyone who took the time to read and respond. I found all of your input very valuable and humbling. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts/page/2#post-2271203 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 21:58:51 +0000 peaches1038 2271203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I TOTALLY get where you are coming from. My shower is Saturday and only a couple things have been purchased from the registry. We are revealing the gender at the shower, so I'm not sure if people will still be getting clothes. I'm bummed about the lack of registry action and am just hoping people get something! It's not that I need the stuff, more that I bought really nice things for all my friends and family when they had their showers and was hoping they would reciprocate. Anyway, I understand how you feel and am sad that people aren't taking the time to check the registry I worked so hard on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts/page/2#post-2271192 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 21:33:32 +0000 Ms. RV 2271192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You may be surprised after you have your baby what gifts you use/like. I received a pink rock n play despite the fact that someone had already purchahsed the gender neutral one off our registry. Turns out having two rock n plays was a blessing, because I need to put DD down when I switch sides nursing, and I will BF on two different floors in the house. It isn't my favorite thing to look at but I am so glad we have it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts/page/2#post-2271039 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 18:29:42 +0000 youboots 2271039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Babies need very little. Each child is also different. We bought our crib from Craigslist, car seat from my sister, pnp from my sister, chair from my Aunt, jumper from a friend. Take people up on their offers to loan items or you can find nice stuff used. If your gender neutral esthetic is important to you that may not work. I got so many handmade items, which comes from a generous and thoughtful place, a registry is just a suggestion people can gift whatever they want. Seriously buy some kimono tops, a few swaddles, diapers and something for your baby to sleep in. Pick up other things as you need them. Return what you don't need for gift cards to keep on hand for when those needs arrive.</p> <p>Watch the documentary Babies- it's a good reminder that children are raised all over the world with very little. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts/page/2#post-2271030 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 18:19:46 +0000 simplyfelicity 2271030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I meant to add earlier that you will probably find you treasure all the handmade things. I ended up returning a bunch of blankets that people bought of my registry because I got so many handmade things. I was absolutely blown away by how creative people were and they are much better than what I registered for. I also got quite a few gift cards as I got closer to my due date and hopefully you will, too.<br /> It's obviously the thought that counts but it can be overwhelming when you think of all the stuff you have to get. As @Mae: said, babies really need very little in the beginning. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts/page/2#post-2271002 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 17:08:28 +0000 akcoffeebean 2271002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kaliopey:<br /> That stinks and is tough. I remember looking at all the gear lists and baby must haves when I was pregnant and thinking, "how are we going to afford all of this?". It was really stressful and it really brought home the point that my life and priorities were changing dramatically. Buh bye super fancy haircuts every six weeks, hello cases of diapers and wipes. </p> <p>I totally get the disappointment that your baby shower isn't going to help offset those costs. One thing that really helped us out was taking friends up on their offers to loan us stuff, as well as getting stuff off of Craigslist. </p> <p>I'm sorry you're bummed out- I hope your week gets better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts/page/2#post-2270974 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 16:05:32 +0000 Mrs Panda 2270974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also don't mean to be harsh, but what does it mean to get an "incorrect gift?" I think of registries are things people can go to for help in picking out a gift if they want, but not something your party guests are bound to or required to even consult.<br /> As an aside, our local toy store here now has registries kids can make for their own birthday parties...i get the convenience and the attraction of getting exactly what you want, but it seems like we are really starting to lose grasp of the spirit of gift giving, even at a very young age now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts/page/2#post-2270898 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 13:25:03 +0000 Mae 2270898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think everything seems like a bigger deal when you are pregnant and a bit hormonal and unsure of what is to come. Honestly there is very little you really NEED when your kid is born. One of those things, is clothes-- so yay for those! And who knows, you might have another boy anyways. I don't really get the counting to reuse clothes thing because even if they are gender neutral, they are pretty useless unless you have a kid the same size/same time of year. And you can always get cheap clothes from the resale shop so it is just not a thing to stress about. </p> <p>Handmade blankets and whatnot are really sweet. Those people spent so much time on your kid! Especially if they are from people dear to you. Even if you don't use them right away it may be a thing your kid treasures when they are older. I didn't register for any blankets and I got 7 (at least!) at my shower. I've gotten great use out of 5 of them in the last year and two of them have become my LO's favorite things. </p> <p>I feel like you just need to sort unwanted things into two categories: sentimental (which you suck it up and keep because thats what we do in polite society) and non-sentimental (go ahead and return it/donate it-- NBD). And just go buy what you think you still need. Sure it'd be nice if you'd gotten everything you needed from other people but it never works out that way. Baby gear is the least of the expenses you're facing, you get numb to it pretty soon ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270897 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 13:24:24 +0000 catomd00 2270897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's pretty typical for people to be drawn towards cute baby items and clothes to buy instead of registry items. Return what you can and get what you want. Honestly, as for the whole patterns of things - you really won't have time<br /> To care about it when baby arrives. They use that stuff for such a small amount of time. You can never have enough blankets. I would have loved a handmade quilt! They're beautiful and so thoughtful for someone to spend that time. At the end of the day, it's our job as parents to supply the necessities. Anything else is just a bonus. I know amazon and target both offer registry completion discounts, so we just made a big order after our shower. In hindsight, I should have waited until after baby arrived because we didn't really even need every thing I thought we would. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270886 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 12:59:11 +0000 BabyTsMom 2270886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely get that you carefully chose the items that you put on your registry, as I did the same - spent hours comparing gear/products..... but at the end of the day, 1) no one is obligated to buy you anything, whether it's on the registry or not, and 2) you don't even know what will work for you and your LO until she/he is here....<br /> All this to say that perhaps rather than feeling disappointment at the lack of pre-chosen gifts you received, try to appreciate those gifts that were lovingly hand-made and picked out for your baby. I would've loved to receive more hand made stuff but the grass is always greener on the other side, I guess.<br /> and if you're stressed about the gear that you didn't receive, try craigslist or other venues where you can get secondhand stuff for less. I personally have bought and sold a fair amount if stuff and it's almost always in great condition, for a fraction of the original cost. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270876 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 12:49:35 +0000 blackbird 2270876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: watch, they'll be one of your favorite things for your LO's. Nursery themes come and go. I made a puff quilt for E when she was little-it doesn't match her room and she never took to it. But it was practical so we used it sometimes. Suddenly, at 2.5, she insists on sleeping with her "rainbow" blanket </p> <p>@jedeve: I feel like you can never have enough blankets! We use them more now, with an older LO, than we ever did when she was little. I keep them stashed in the cars, in the stroller, other rooms of the house....and T gets the pink and purple one quite frequently :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270806 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 10:48:50 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2270806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get where you're coming from. Getting ready for a baby is really stressful. It seems like there's a ton of things you need to be "ready" for the baby and I know I spent a LOT of time researching and choosing items I thought would work the best for our family. BUT, like @jedeve: said, the view from the other side is different. Stuff that seems practical or reusable isn't (our humidifier cracked; my son is still using his crib sheets for naps at daycare; etc) and those gender neutral clothes aren't very helpful (baby #2 is not the same season). Just try to exchange what you can and embrace the rest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270805 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 10:48:04 +0000 jedeve 2270805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: @bluestriped bee: I knit and sew too and I would be sad to know someone didn't like it. We got a couple quilts I wasn't a huge fan of (they were wall hangings, and I do feel it's odd to make/get someone decor without their input or approval.) And we did get some other blankets that don't "match" but it doesn't matter what we think - the kid loves them!</p> <p>@ShootingStar: agree on your last point! Our house is full of baby crap and other than our stroller, I don't really see anything we registered for. </p> <p>OP, I don't want you to feel piled upon. It is overwhelming the amount of stuff you need. We were in a bit of a financial spot when my first was born. We had just graduated and started new jobs and had little to no cash on hand (although we were ultimately fine and things got better quick.) I remember crying to my mom that pack n plays were too expensive and she laughed because they were "only" $60. And people would buy stuff and while I appreciated it, sure I would think its not what I would have chosen or wish they had bought the things I registered for and thought I needed. We didn't have a lot of cash to complete our registry, so we just didn't. I figured we would buy things as we needed them. And then we realized we didn't need a lot of it. And did need a lot that we didn't register for! </p> <p>It'll all work out!</p> <p> @kaliopey: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270803 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 10:40:17 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2270803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: yup, yup, and yup, as the mom of an almost three year old. :silly: </p> <p>And I'm another one where nobody's gifting us stuff for #2 so some of the blankets and what not that #1 didn't use much are in better condition for #2, who happens to be a different gender. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270802 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 10:39:41 +0000 sunny 2270802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A gift is a gift and I would have been thrilled that someone had the talent and time to handmake something special for my LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270801 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 10:38:28 +0000 Mamasig 2270801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you are expecting too much to think everyone is going to buy exactly what you put on the registry. While it may be a huge pain, don't stress about it. That's why you can return things. And honestly at this point, you don't really know what you will truly need - every baby is different and all have different must haves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270800 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 10:33:04 +0000 BSB 2270800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I can't remember but do you cloth diaper? I've heard many people repurpose their receiving blankets for cloth wipes.</p> <p>@blackbird: for our shower, we got no burp cloths/ rags. (Which is fine because I didn't register for them and with twins on the way, people gifted us cute clothes.) I ended up getting used ones from a fellow twin mom. Oh, we got two fox quilts from one of our friends that was not close enough to us to be invited to the shower (plus, she lives out of state. We reconnected recently because we visited vegas and met up with her). The fox quilts don't match our nursery but I doubt she knew what our nursery theme was. (Actually, not many people knew what our theme was because I didn't have a theme or color scheme until a couple weeks before the shower.) Anyway, I absolutely love the handmade fox quilts she made. I don't know of anyone that makes quilts so it was definitely a surprise to get them from her. So happy to get them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270786 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 09:54:08 +0000 blackbird 2270786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's a gift, not an obligation. I sew a lot of baby gifts for friends-quilts, blankets, burp rags, clothes. I have received many, myself. It would sadden me greatly to know my efforts went to someone who didn't appreciate it. Your baby is already loved, which is the most important takeaway here, so focus on that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270724 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 08:27:30 +0000 regberadaisy 2270724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I got SO many blankets. Only two were handmade. I really don't need a dozen plus blankets. I also got so many bath products that I'm only now, 3.5 years later buying my first bottle! LOL which is a good problem to have. I got so much cute but impractical NB clothing that we never wore because it was the wrong season. I wished I would've taken them in and exchanged them. We were running to the store after the baby's first check up because no one got us sleepers! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270711 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 07:55:07 +0000 ShootingStar 2270711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't want to sound mean, but unfortunately it's not your guests' responsibility to "set you up to help raise your children." I know it's really annoying when people buy or make things you didn't ask for instead of getting something else you would have liked. I got all sorts of weird stuff at my shower too. A lot of clothes that were inappropriately sized or wrong season we returned at Babies R Us for store credit. </p> <p>We got a lot of great stuff, but not everything on our registry. You prioritize what's most important or what you need soonest and buy it yourselves. The reality is, a lot of things you think you need as a first time parent, you really don't. Or, you use them for 2 months and then never again. A baby shower doesn't really set you up for very long. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270707 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 07:43:38 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2270707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were lucky that most kept to our registry.<br /> We did get a few outfits that I returned for wrong size/season. The things that surprised me were all the "baby's first Christmas " stuff we got in newborn size for our January baby. I packed it away but it looks like none of my three kids will wear newborn size at Christmas or ever really. Perhaps I'll regift it if a Christmas newborn ever shows up.<br /> I'd keep the extra blankets they come in handy. And for whatever you cannot return I'd donate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270690 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 07:08:34 +0000 rachiecakes 2270690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>People love to make stuff for babies. Our parents asked what we would like and bought the bigger items. My two best friends bought a couple bigger things as well. Everything else was handmade or sentimental. I will say we did use everything, all the blankets, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270688 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 07:04:47 +0000 misolee 2270688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try to return it if you can (a lot of stores takes returns without receipts for store credit) and buy what you need and move on. </p> <p>I had registered for a particular brand of play mat . I did not get that but a different brand and style. Although it would have been nice to get what I wanted, in the end the purpose of the gift (keep baby busy, tummy time place, etc) is the same and we used it fine. I appreciated the friend who took time to pick it out and give it to me </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270676 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 06:40:45 +0000 cascademom 2270676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a similar experience with my first. Tons of clothes and blankets. The blankets I adore because it's handmade and special. One my mom made is in our trunk for cold weather strolling. With LO 2, he's received some blankets, I'm relieved that he has his own heirloom ones given by family and friends different from his brother. As for practical stuff, we still spent money on a changing pad, etc before the baby's arrival the first and second time. The second time was because our upstairs neighbor destroyed our baby stuff with a leak in our son's closet. We had no choice but to replace it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270656 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 04:58:22 +0000 looch 2270656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The registry is a guide, right? I know people spend tons of time researching, but at the end of the day, if you really want certain items, you need to be very direct or buy them yourself.</p> <p>When my son was born, I looked at it like this: I would buy the big stuff, anything I was gifted was gravy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270640 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 02:19:14 +0000 erinpye 2270640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got almost all clothes for my shower, and lots of blankets. The only big ticket item someone got for us off of our registry was our crib. We bought the rest ourselves, and were grateful for the things people gave us for our baby, from their hearts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impracticalwrong-gifts#post-2270635 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 01:09:14 +0000 BSB 2270635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: Great advice! Good to know for the future. Going off that, my one nephew loves blankets. He always needs a blanket with him and drags his blanket everywhere so they are always in need of blankets. He is even picky with what blanket he wants. His two brothers aren't like that. It's so interesting. </p>