Send thank you cards for baby gifts?

[Itsbeen84yearss]

Is it me or is it bad form not to send thank you cards if you’ve invited people to a baby shower or even any following baby’s birth? I didn’t do a shower when I was pregnant but I still sent out cards for gifts people had been generous enough to give. Just wondering if I’m being OTT.

@linerforlife

We did a baby announcement card with a line like "thank you for all the good wishes and gifts" because we got so many I couldn't reply to everyone who sent a card with a personal note. I obviously thanked people by text first, and then we sent all the cards out later on.

We did this, posted a photo announcement and I wrote on the back a thanks you for the xxx gift . It's probably quite old fashioned to do a MN announcement by post too now.

I always make my kids write thank you cards and I really resent not even being told that someone received my posted gifts glares at ungrateful teenage nieces A thank you even by text is much appreciated

If YOU like thank you card tradition that doesn’t mean everyone else has to.

Exactly. It is a nice sentiment but a waste of paper. People just bin them or feel obliged to collect them. I feel guilty binning them with the babies photo on it but can't hang onto them forever. We've stopped birthday cards and only give presents.
There anyone else here who gives a gift and all you want is for the recipient to like it/find it useful? Isn't that what it's about? Not getting your back up because you need a card for validation.

because you need a card for validation.
Oh, honestly! Validation 😂

I would honestly rather not have the gifts than endure the obligation of sending thank you cards. I'm hoping the trend for this kind of formality will die out soon as a pointless waste of energy and the trend for digital communication will prevail!!

What complete nonsense. It takes two minutes to write and post a card. It’s unbelievable how lazy people have got.

I suppose if you only get one present that's a reasonable position to take. My kids and I receive loads and it takes a lot longer when you have 20+ to do.

@GreyhoundG1rl

because you need a card for validation. Oh, honestly! Validation 😂

Validation? Oh please.

As for the time - does it really take longer to write a card than send a text?

I’m sending cards and also said thank you in person, but the cards are still a work in progress at 8 weeks! I’ve done most now but is taking time with a baby and toddler

The card obsession os frankly ridiculous. Sending a generic thank you card or generic fb mesaage is exactly the same🤷🏻

As long a speople say thank you somehow it's fine. This is honestly just some kind of martyrdom on women's side "oh no. I absolutely must give myself extra work and send cards instead of just saying normal thank you when recieving a gift"

I sent a present to niece for new baby recently. Had a text saying thanks with baby photo. I think that's perfectly fine and I never gave it another thought other than it was nice to hear from them. If you look out for disappointment you will find it . Also, thanks in person is fine too. No need to send a formal thanks as well. Lighten up .

@GreyhoundG1rl

because you need a card for validation. Oh, honestly! Validation 😂

Get over the need for cards in return for gifts. Send the gift because you want to give the gift, not with these expectations attached about the level of 'thank you' you need in return. Give the recipient a heads up about the stipulations so you're not otherwise offended.

I don't have a need and I'm not particularly offended.

I just couldn't get past "needing a card for validation", it's such an utterly ridiculous comment.

Everyone I know has sent thank you cards for baby gifts, usually printed photo cards. I didn't rush that much though - I had around 60 to write both times and decided I wanted to nap sometimes when the baby did not always sit doing cards so they took me a couple of months to get out.

Sure thing. Of course it's validation. If that levels met then you're happy that the recipient has appreciated your gesture enough. Nonsensical expectation. If you get one, it's nice but not something to get your back up over if not. Giving a gift isn't about the sender.

If it's validation, how come I send them myself? You've assumed I'm primarily the one giving gifts and demanding the receiver validate me, but these things go both ways, you know?
It's not an expectation, it's something I actually do.

It makes no difference if you send them yourself. I've sent them in the past but I've never expected it for giving some a gift or thought negatively about anyone who hasn't sent them. If ever there was a problem in the world.
Gift giving is just that, giving. It's for the person receiving it. Judging them on the level of appreciation shown clouds something nice with a whole load of negativity.

God, you're still missing the point! Still banging on about me judging negatively when I've said I'm coming at it from the other end.
Whatever... 🤷🏻‍♀️

I wouldn't say so, especially if it's a baby shower gift, which you'd give in person not post, and usually the best gifts are ones that are useful.

If I'd given someone a gift for their upcoming baby, I'd give something useful to help with the cost. I'd rather they spent their £1.50 towards nappies than something I'd look at for 2 seconds and stick in a drawer. Plus that's £1.50 not just on me, there. might be 10 or so to send out.

@GreyhoundG1rl

God, you're still missing the point! Still banging on about me judging negatively when I've said I'm coming at it from the other end. Whatever... 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hardly. You took umbrage against a comment that wasn't directed at you. The whole concept of requiring a thank you in return for sending a gift screams of neediness. Takes the meaning out of giving the gift in the first place. Some of us just don't require it.

@Wheresmrpenguin completely agree with you. I would rather that too.

Some of us just don't require it
Ok, I won't send you one . So militant...

@GreyhoundG1rl

Some of us just don't require it Ok, I won't send you one . So militant...

No need to be offended.

I'm not, really. We'll agree to disagree. I'm militant on a lot of weird things...

Did she not thank you at all?

Giving a gift isn't about the sender.

It is. It’s a two way transaction. The sender buys, wraps and sends the gift. The recipient opens it and lets the sender know it’s been received and appreciated.

There’s no need to over complicate it. Personalised cards with pictures of the baby aren’t necessary. A pack of thank you cards does the job just as well.

It’s a two way transaction
That's based on your own perception. Giving isn't about receiving. It shouldn't be about what you receive in return. It's your own choice to send something, putting unknown expectations on the sender isn't necessary. Send it or don't.

There’s no need to over complicate it.
That's my point though. Saying thank you should be sufficient. People have been labelled as rude for not sending a card, grudges held for not sending a card. Becoming annoyed if the card isn't received when there's no obligation to send it. All seems a bit ridiculous and petty. Certainly not enough for grown adults to fall out over.

^^sorry been logged in as old username above somehow.