To request no gifts for my new baby?

[BobbieDog]

I know this is possibly unheard of but is it rude to request no gifts for the arrival of dc2?

When i had dd who is 4, i got quite abit of stuff that was not practical, stuff that was 12 months too big, pointless things etc. If im honest 99% went to the charity shop.

I hate storing clothing in bigger sizes (this time round i will struggle for storage space) and i hate dresses, tights, stiff denim etc.

I would much rather people saved their money and just brought themselves when they come to see the new baby.

What would you think to this request?

Um don't really think you can ask for no gifts, but as someone further up the thread said, you can usually exchange stuff from high street shops for something else without a receipt (maybe even something for your older child?) The stuff you don't want either put on Ebay or donate to charity.

I can see you are genuine, but I cant think of any way you can put the request without SOME pple seeing it is rude

"We have lots of lovely things that were gifted to DD1 that we have saved, so DD2 will not be short of clothes or toys! For that reason we thought it would be nice to ask for donations to X charity in her name instead"

We'd love you to meet our new daughter,
But there's a couple of things you oughta
Know.

All she needs, we have already got.
Every toy, dress, book and what-not.
We'd like you to see her, to love her and greet her
But save your money just now please.

Our house is full to the top
And she's growing so fast, she won't stop
So your time and your presence mean far more than presents
That she'll out grow before she even sees.

If you feel you must bring us something,
Then vouchers or cake for the munching
These take up no space and so won't go to waste!
(Or do my laundry, hoover, make teas!)

(Yes, I am trying to avoid going to bed!).

Take everything you don't like down to your local clothing bank in 3-4 months. There are some people who would give anything to be in a position to turn down gifts. I would feel a lot better giving stuff to a women's refuge than telling people (those who are able to afford to it) not to buy, knit or donate anything. You could always say 'no new gifts'?

It's up to you at the end of the day but yes, there will be some people who will look at you funny if you start telling them they can't give you and the new baby presents!

I had a lot of unwanted baby gifts. I returned a lot to the stores. Even without a receipt most will exchange or give a gift voucher.

Where I couldn't return items I gave them to charity.

Could you ask people to make a donation to a baby charity, Bliss or one of them?

Like someone up thread I had twins and found the mass of stuff we were given really depressing and anxiety inducing. To remember who it all came from to say thanks, and then looking at all these little fancy clothes when in the early days we had time enough to get them into a babygro and no more, and they were anyway early and hated being dressed.

I got a few clothes in newborn sizes (was never going to fit my monster sized baby) I gave them to the health visitor I first saw and asked her to pass on to a mum who didn't have

She was very surprised and grateful - woman's aid would also have ppl in need of what you don't

Anything you cannot use, smile, say thank you and pass on to someone who has nothing