https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 16:54:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2143312 Tue, 14 Apr 2015 10:32:08 +0000 littlejoy 2143312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Peasinapod: We just use a pen or marker and write on the book ... My dd has a bunch like this from when she was born, and I LOVE seeing the notes as I read. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2143300 Tue, 14 Apr 2015 10:26:43 +0000 Keybee 2143300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would love to get books for my baby shower. I have yet been to one that asked. I also feel like it's hard to ask that of your guests, but I think there are some pretty cheap board books and paper backs. Go for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2142887 Tue, 14 Apr 2015 05:48:42 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2142887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: as someone who feels a little mixed feelings about specific gift requests I totally agree with you on the straightforward requests- the cutest rhyming thing would get an eye roll but a straightforward request would probably just get them a book. :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2141776 Mon, 13 Apr 2015 08:58:43 +0000 Anya 2141776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2141768 Mon, 13 Apr 2015 08:49:26 +0000 Anya 2141768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldnt think too much of it if I received an invitation like this, but I wouldn't want someone to do it on my behalf. The host of my wedding shower did something similar (without my knowledge) and it made me sort of uncomfortable when I found out. I feel like books are a pretty typical baby gift anyway? I received a lot of books for my LO's library, many with sweet messages written inside, and I have done the same for most children that I know.</p> <p>To all those who said you would much prefer gifting a book than a card, wouldn't you just do so? Or do you feel that it's not something you would do unless specifically prompted by the invitation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2141741 Mon, 13 Apr 2015 08:36:24 +0000 Chillybear 2141741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with the previous poster, I hate buying cards and i think they are so expensive. i would rather buy a book and write a cute message any day. However, I do think that most people dont see it that way and would (should) take it from the cost of the gift. I can only speak from my experience and the showers I've been to that most of my friends family would normally do a gift from the registry and a cute little outfit. Since the popularity of the Book as card showers I've been too I see more gift and book, not gift, outfit, and book. For the most part i think thats fine, but i know that after my own shower my LO had a full library and zero clothes. I didnt mind though because then I got to go pick out outfits that I loved with GCs i received. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2141673 Mon, 13 Apr 2015 07:59:31 +0000 Dandelion 2141673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The idea of a baby shower is to give gifts, so I see no problem in requesting books instead of cards. I'd rather do that, anyways! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2141657 Mon, 13 Apr 2015 07:46:11 +0000 Alivoo01 2141657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Peasinapod: My hosts requested guests write messages inside the book to DS if they wish to. Lots did and that's cool too so we have a way of knowing who gifted what book, but also DS can read the loving messages from his gifter when he's older. I think it's sweet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2141649 Mon, 13 Apr 2015 07:38:43 +0000 meredithNYC 2141649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: No, but I AM against including registry information on/with an invitation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2141643 Mon, 13 Apr 2015 07:35:32 +0000 meredithNYC 2141643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I get it - I'm just old-school, etiquette-wise. And I know that my style of things is increasingly outdated, but I can't help it. My grandmother and mother had strong ideas about these things and they have stuck with me. Curmudgeon for life over here, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2141624 Mon, 13 Apr 2015 07:11:54 +0000 looch 2141624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't buy cards anymore, instead, I do a sticker on the package, since cards always seem to become separated from the package. Or, I write to/from on the gift tag that comes with the bag.</p> <p>But, my standard gift for almost any occasion is a book with a gift card. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2141609 Mon, 13 Apr 2015 06:50:23 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2141609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meredithNYC: @MamiMami: you two weren't the only ones that mentioned a dislike for this, but for reply purposes you're it. LoL I get what you mean it's like asking for two gifts. Here's my expanded thoughts. </p> <p>First, if someone doesn't put the baby registry info on the shower invite then the book request isn't so bad. Guests can easily Google the parents name and fine the registry. Second, I find the book request no different than people specifically asking for diapers and wipes when it comes to dad showers or diaper raffles at mom showers, which you may disagree with too. I don't participate in those at all. Third, I like how BabyList let's you register for books in general- used/ new, so a couple using that registry could skip the invite request aktigether. Fourth, when it comes to stuff like this my agreement with it boils down to the approach. Cutesy rhymes and assumptions are a turn off. I much rather get a straightforward request. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on/page/2#post-2141586 Mon, 13 Apr 2015 06:19:20 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 2141586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm curious- for those who said that you're against anything that dictates how a guest spends money or asking for specific gifts- are you also against gift registries? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2141526 Sun, 12 Apr 2015 23:18:16 +0000 Emilia80 2141526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: sorry but I would never personally ask for certain gift items no matter how resourceful. just not my style. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2141443 Sun, 12 Apr 2015 20:25:55 +0000 lawbee11 2141443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love it! I've actually started doing this even when it's not on the invite. Cards are such a waste of money...would much rather add to a child's library. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2141427 Sun, 12 Apr 2015 20:10:03 +0000 meredithNYC 2141427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know it's popular to do this, but it still doesn't sit well with me since 1) I feel like I'm being asked to spend my money in a particular way and 2) it's like asking for two gifts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2141419 Sun, 12 Apr 2015 19:58:46 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2141419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sisters did this for my shower and I loved that they did. Some moms gave me previously loved books- several got some from secondhand stores- so it really isn't any more $$ than a card! All kids books at my local goodwill are .99- cheaper than a card. </p> <p>My friends/family wrote notes on the inside of the books and I love that they did- I still read the notes when I read the books to J :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2141376 Sun, 12 Apr 2015 19:21:31 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2141376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love the idea &amp; wouldn't be offended in any way. Just as with cards, you can find books in a wide range of prices. I've bought our baby girl many books already from Goodwill, even, &amp; they were all gently used &amp; super cheap! It kills me to think many cards ultimately get tossed out, where a book should last a long time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2140517 Sat, 11 Apr 2015 08:56:41 +0000 Truth Bombs 2140517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm generally not a fan of anything that specifically dictates how a guest spends their money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2140515 Sat, 11 Apr 2015 08:50:18 +0000 WinterBee 2140515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: I love that insert! It evens offered a 'loved' book... AKA no more money out on a book. What a fun way to pass on an older cherished book! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2140514 Sat, 11 Apr 2015 08:47:41 +0000 WinterBee 2140514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: I think it's a great idea, and a fun way to build up a baby library.<br /> Really, books aren't even THAT much more than a card, but they're so much more useful.<br /> You can always find a cute book for a couple dollars at book stores if you don't want to spend much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2140509 Sat, 11 Apr 2015 08:43:26 +0000 travellingbee 2140509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Peasinapod: yes we did this and have many books with lovely messages in them including one from my grandparents before my grandfather passed away. It is quite special to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2140483 Sat, 11 Apr 2015 07:38:32 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 2140483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're doing this for my shower, and the last few showers I attended did it as well. Like others have said, I'd much rather spend $5-10 on a book than $1-6 on a card. As long as the wording makes it clear that it's optional, I think it's a great idea. If anyone is worried about the few extra dollars they might spend on a book, I'd assume they'd take that amount out of their budget for their other shower gift. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2140454 Sat, 11 Apr 2015 03:42:34 +0000 turquoisemama 2140454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did it and everyone seemed to like writing a special note in the book. A lot of people still have cards too though.</p> <p>ETA there are plenty of children's book that are comparable in price to some fancy cards, so in my opinion its a much better use of money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2140435 Sat, 11 Apr 2015 00:21:07 +0000 lamariniere 2140435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did this for my shower. I don't think anyone felt pressured and it was nice to receive books for LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2140420 Fri, 10 Apr 2015 23:02:20 +0000 QBbride 2140420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really like the idea. My friend wanted us to write in the books but I was hesitant to do so since I was sure she would end up with doubles. The host could always provide pens/markers so guests could leave a note after all the books were opened. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2140386 Fri, 10 Apr 2015 21:47:44 +0000 cmomma17 2140386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: yay! You will love it! So much fun </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2140382 Fri, 10 Apr 2015 21:39:32 +0000 simplyfelicity 2140382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17: I sent the pic to my sis and she said they were already planning on it-- so I guess she made the decision for me. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2140378 Fri, 10 Apr 2015 21:33:08 +0000 birdofafeather 2140378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My shower was storybook themed and we got a wide range of gifts and books because my SIL requested people buy a book instead of a card and leave a note for the baby. I love looking through her books and remembering who got them for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on#post-2140376 Fri, 10 Apr 2015 21:28:18 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2140376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't mind a book request at all. </p>