https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 01:15:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28535 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:14:43 +0000 heffalump 28535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@belleoftheballe: well that's just silly </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28451 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:17:49 +0000 holdonforonemoreday 28451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: she cuts off the tags so they can't be returned. the store she buys them from won't return them w/o tags. I would dress him in them for their once a week visits but the clothes are so big they are falling off him. He wears 9-12 months and she buys him 18 months, 24 months etc... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28422 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:28:29 +0000 heffalump 28422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Red: I love girly and frilly, send it over!</p> <p>@Belleoftheballe: Why don't you take them back if they're still not opened? How often do you see his grandma? If it's not too often, maybe you can just dress him in the clothes just to see her? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28356 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:14:33 +0000 holdonforonemoreday 28356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Blankets... I got so many blankets, especially ones that were too small. I like big blankets. I have a pile sitting in his closet unopened.</p> <p>And I second the clothes that aren't seasonally or sized appropriately... Right now, I am having a huge problem with DH's crazy grandmother. My little boy has more clothes that will never fit than clothes he can wear. I am not going to dress him in clothes that are too big and will be too warm for him in the summer. It makes me really upset as she cuts off the tags so I can't return them to get a more appropriate size. She also gets mad I don't dress him in these clothes. I don't want my baby to look like a hobo in too big clothes. </p> <p>Sorry for the vent. She's annoying the crap out of me these days. I'd chalk it up to pregnancy hormones but she's been like that since day one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28346 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:39:22 +0000 Red 28346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely stuffed animals and clothes that weren't seasonally appropriate (eg. short sleeve in winter). We also got a custom embroidered blanket that although was very nice, was too girly and frilly for my taste. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28240 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:28:47 +0000 Andrea 28240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: yes, it has a nice sentiment and is cultural but the money is definitely better spent elsewhere. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28239 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:19:54 +0000 heffalump 28239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: Oh, that makes sense then! I think that's nice if it's your tradition and culture... but I'm with you. I'd rather use the money towards more practical things. Like formula so my baby actually doesn't go hungry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28237 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:16:02 +0000 Andrea 28237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: Chinese people definitely do it or maybe it is a Buddhist thing. I think they like to shower babies with expensive things like that for symbolism. I just remembered that I also got a 24k teeny tiny spoon which is symbolic that your baby will never go hungry. I am not very superstitious, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28232 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:11:17 +0000 heffalump 28232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: Baby jewelry? I've heard of buying things now for when the baby gets older. My friend bought her baby a Tiffany's necklace for her 1st birthday to give to her when she turns 18 (which I thought was kind of silly. Just buy it for her 18th birthday and get her a toy now....but it's a family tradition for her). But I've never heard of 24k gold baby jewelry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28230 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:07:48 +0000 Andrea 28230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Jewelry. Bracelets and even rings. It was all 24k gold and that is what Chinese people like to do but I am not a fan of putting jewelry on a baby. I gave it all to my mom (these were gifts from her friends) and told her to sell it, which reminds me that I should ask her if she ever did that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28226 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:51:01 +0000 ecogirl 28226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Artbee haha thank you. It does sound like a terrible lifetime movie! I cannot change the channel so oh well :) I only have to see them about 6 times a year so it isn't that bad. He is nothing like them either so I think they must have done something right. I just wasn't what they wanted for him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28058 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:09:08 +0000 cyndistar3 28058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: Well even after breastfeeding was over she would just make a mess.of the bib and pull it off making even more of a mess lol. I gave up on bibs pretty fast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-28053 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:05:41 +0000 heffalump 28053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cyndistar3: We got a ton of bibs too, and I started out breastfeeding and thought that they'd be a waste. But when breastfeeding didn't work out, the bibs came in very handy.</p> <p>@Ecogirl: Sorry you have to deal with such awful inlaws! That sounds like a story out of a movie. How often do you have to see them?</p> <p>@Sandsandmore: One of my mom's friend mentioned that she wanted to get me a Tiffany's silver toothbrush. Seriously. She said she had one when her kids were babies and she used it. Umm... my baby will be using a plastic toothbrush like the rest of them. Is it from a friend you see a lot? That's the only reason I keep things like that around... otherwise I just donate or regift. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27952 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:02:20 +0000 sandsandmore 27952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't a shower because my boys were born so early. But one friend did send a completely useless gift. It was a silver plated mug and baby fork. Um, thanks?? When the hell would I ever use something like that -- no one would. I'm not a tchotchke person and so wont' save it. Right now it's in a junk drawer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27939 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:52:23 +0000 ecogirl 27939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Artbee I love your sweetness! :) They have actually told him that I'm not good enough and have told me personally that I will never fit in with their family :( I come from honest and hardworking parents but we were middle class. My husband comes from very upper class socialite parents. They felt that I was not acceptable as a wife and certainly not to carry on their genes. It is what it is and I will always make them sound like amazing wonderful people to Liam and never speak poorly about them to my husband. It used to really hurt me but I think I've just put a wall up and dealt with it. Sorry to threadjack! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27938 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:51:53 +0000 cyndistar3 27938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For my daughter I ended up having two baby showers and out of everything I got, there really wasn't anything that wasn't helpful. Oh wait... I did get a crap ton of bibs that we NEVER used or even opened. I ended up donating them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27934 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:48:10 +0000 heffalump 27934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ecogirl: Well, that's not nice to exclude you. But maybe they just wanted to give the baby something with their heritage so he can learn about where he comes from?</p> <p>@TheMCMom: Oh no, that's not cool of her! My mom LOVES my diapers. She brags about them to everyone. Tells everyone I have the fanciest diapers ever, tells them how much I spent on them, and makes them look at them. She used cloth for us and back then they were so much different, so she loves these. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27931 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:46:05 +0000 sbjmorgan 27931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Frilly dresses, stuffed animals and random bottles that were not BPA free. What the heck??</p> <p>Everyone bought 0-3 month clothes instead of newborn and that was a pain, because we knew we had to deliver early and we knew that she was only in the 17th percentile growth-wise. We could have used a lot of newborn sleepers! We ended up buying about $60 worth of onesies and sleepers and she grew so fast out of 0-3 months, she didn't even get to wear everything. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27926 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:43:12 +0000 themcmom 27926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: My om told me she loved the idea and then badmouthed me to everyone behind my back. It was so my mother, but I would've stuck with it if I hated it just to make her mad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27924 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:42:07 +0000 ecogirl 27924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was his parents. My husband is Japanese and I'm Irish. I can't speak or read Japanese and they didn't approve of me as a wife for him. So I guess it was a way of giving my husband a gift for the baby while excluding me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27915 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:31:44 +0000 heffalump 27915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ecogirl: Why did your parents get you a book in Japanese? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27912 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:28:08 +0000 ecogirl 27912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a lot of designer label baby clothes. I don't think my newborn really cares about the subtle fabric upgrade but than you haha! :) I also got books only in Japanese but that was more of a dig from his parents since I obviously couldn't read them to him.<br /> @Junebugmama I think writing that on your shower invite is a great idea for guests. Also make sure to put registry information in it and put cloth diapers as your first thing registered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27886 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:17:18 +0000 heffalump 27886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@themcmom: So true! So many people told me I wouldn't last a week with cloth. It made me so angry.... and motivated! We'll so far it's been 4 months and I love them, and they're the thing we've gotten the most use out of for her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27883 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:15:14 +0000 themcmom 27883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: I think people don't buy them because they don't believe that we're going to stick with them and don't want to give a gift that won't be used. Most people don't realize how easy it can be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27874 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:08:42 +0000 heffalump 27874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@TJBee: I feel like when people say bigger sizes they mean 12-18 months. I know that we didn't need a lot of newborn sizes because she only wore that size for 2 weeks!</p> <p>@Junebugmama: I don't know the etiquette for that. Maybe you could spread it by word of mouth? I had cloth on my registry like @Mrstilly did, but apparently this person didn't look at the registry. I think people just always assume diapers are a good go to, easy gift. </p> <p>And nobody bought any of the cloth diapers for us. I think they're so expensive ($25 per diaper) that people felt weird buying us one diaper for a gift. But I would have loved it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27846 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:47:15 +0000 mrstilly 27846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugmama: I registered for cloth diapers at Jillians Drawers using their online registry. You can also put a note on your registry information at BRU, BBB for no disposable diapers. (and Target/Walmart too I think.) BRU is now selling some cloth diapers, so if you are using those kinds, you can add them to your registry.<br /> We did not do a neworn cd stash, so we used 2 cases of size 1 diapers (DS was well over 10lbs and never fit into newborn diapers) before we switched to cloth diapers. We waited until his umbilical cord fell off, which took about 2.5 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27837 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:39:13 +0000 junebugmama 27837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: I am too early to have had a shower, but I'm glad you posted this. Perhaps, I should ask my Mom to put no disposable diapers on the invites and maybe suggest what type of cloth diapers I am planning on using. Is that strange? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27834 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:36:53 +0000 MamaMoose 27834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrstilly: My mom always does this. When we were little she got so many 0-3 mths and 3-6 mths clothes that we outgrew them before she even had a chance to use them all. So she always gets much bigger clothes so that they'll definitely get use. Usually babies have plenty of room in their closets to store clothes until they are old enough to wear them. So while I know it is a little weird the givers probably had a similar thought process to my mom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27831 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:35:39 +0000 TJBee 27831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrstilly: That's so interesting. My MIL always tells DH and I to buy older clothes for a baby because "they will get so many infant outfits and they will grow out of them so fast, it's nice to have a variety of sizes". I always thought people appreciated it. Maybe we should stick to newborn sizes... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-least-favorite-gifts-for-the-baby#post-27823 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:27:41 +0000 mrstilly 27823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't have a huge shower, and I was appreciative that guests did stick to the registry or other useful gifts (diapers and clothes - we didn't put these on the registry). </p> <p>There were two people who brought clothes that were 2T. I was just baffled by this because it would be so long before he could wear them, but they are hanging in his closet and will likely fit him well next fall. </p>