DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Bad Manners and Brimstone
HTML https://badmanners.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Family and Children
*****************************************************
#Post#: 18705--------------------------------------------------
The work baby shower
By: MOM21SON Date: November 9, 2018, 8:27 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I just started working on the floor with my coworkers in July.
There are 15 on my team. I know/have talked to like 4. We each
sit at a single station, like it's impossible to talk to each
other unless you stand up and talk to someone around you.
We have had a few potluck type things. It is always the same
people that bring things. I only eat what I bring, which is
bought or made.
So one of the team members is having a baby. I have never even
spoken to her before. I am quite sure she has no idea who I am
either. So, the potluck baby shower is being planned. It is a
themed shower. I did offer to bring the cake VS chicken wings,
I figured the cake would be cheaper.
The "invite" email also requested gifts for baby such as
diapers, blankets etc. I can't decide if the themed cake is my
gift? If I purchase a token gift as well, how much? I have no
friends of baby bearing age. I am finding so many cute things
on Amazon related to her theme! BTW she has already had a
family/friends shower with the same theme.
Will it look bad if I don't have a gift also?
#Post#: 18711--------------------------------------------------
Re: The work baby shower
By: HenrysMom Date: November 9, 2018, 9:38 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
For the sake of “teamwork,” purchase a small package of diapers
or one of those bath products set (Aveeno has one that’s
hypoallergenic) and that, with the cake, should be good. No
need to go overboard, but since you have to work there, make the
effort.
#Post#: 18722--------------------------------------------------
Re: The work baby shower
By: Bada Date: November 10, 2018, 9:47 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Good token gifts if you go that route (I would):
Size 1 diapers
Size 6 months baby onesie (or set, some are very cheap).
They won't need any more newborn clothes, gusranteed!
We got too much baby bath wash, we're still using it up 2 years
later! And too many snuggly blankie we never used.
#Post#: 18723--------------------------------------------------
Re: The work baby shower
By: oogyda Date: November 10, 2018, 10:01 am
---------------------------------------------------------
The *event* is a shower. You are expected to bring a gift.
The *hosting style* is pot-luck. You are expected to bring
food.
The food one brings is not their gift to the GOH.
#Post#: 18724--------------------------------------------------
Re: The work baby shower
By: Kimberami Date: November 10, 2018, 10:15 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Bada link=topic=800.msg18722#msg18722
date=1541864831]
Good token gifts if you go that route (I would):
Size 1 diapers
Size 6 months baby onesie (or set, some are very cheap).
They won't need any more newborn clothes, gusranteed!
We got too much baby bath wash, we're still using it up 2 years
later! And too many snuggly blankie we never used.
[/quote]
Funny enough, I had very little newborn clothes for DD because
nearly everyone gave her size 6-9mo things. I had bought her
newborn things, but I made a mistake. Because she was born in
October, I assumed the weather would be cold and bought
accordingly. We had a fairly warm October that year.
I second the onesies suggestion. They are are great for layering
or for extra warm days. There are plenty of days that babies go
through them like tissues.
#Post#: 18729--------------------------------------------------
Re: The work baby shower
By: TaurusGirl Date: November 10, 2018, 11:48 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I think I will be the voice of dissent here --- I opt out of
baby showers at work.
I will go to your baby shower if I'm related to you, or if we
have been friends outside work for ages. But I don't participate
in showers for people I barely know, or don't know at all. To me
that is the ultimate gift-grab. And if it's another coworker
organising it, they should not be shocked when people choose not
to participate.
#Post#: 18732--------------------------------------------------
Re: The work baby shower
By: Aleko Date: November 10, 2018, 1:26 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote]To me that is the ultimate gift-grab.[/quote]
To be fair, the mother-to-be may not even have wanted this
shower, let alone have angled for it. Many workplaces have one
or two people who are fanatical about organising gift
collections, showers, wreaths, donations etc. on the slightest
pretext; and - if the workplace collectively doesn't firmly nail
their feet to the floor - railroading all their colleagues into
contributing.
#Post#: 18734--------------------------------------------------
Re: The work baby shower
By: guest657 Date: November 10, 2018, 1:28 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I like to give useful shower gifts. One of my favorites, which
is easy to put together and can be scaled up or down to your
desired price point, is the "midnight emergency kit". Because
sooner or later, parents are going to run out of some basic
supplies at the most inconvenient time, and having a little
stash can save them a midnight run to find an open store. Some
possible items:
Small pack of diapers & wipes
Diaper rash ointment
Lanolin cream
Bottle of Pedialyte
Infant Tylenol
Baby Vapo-Rub
Saline spray
Baby wash
Gripe water drops
Earache soothing oil drops
Basically anything consumable you might want on hand if the baby
is teething, sick, or blows out both ends in the middle of the
night. You can put one together at any pharmacy in about 10
minutes.
#Post#: 18740--------------------------------------------------
Re: The work baby shower
By: TootsNYC Date: November 10, 2018, 4:03 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=oogyda link=topic=800.msg18723#msg18723
date=1541865677]
The *event* is a shower. You are expected to bring a gift.
The *hosting style* is pot-luck. You are expected to bring
food.
The food one brings is not their gift to the GOH.
[/quote]
I agree.
And I would also say that in your situation, I personally would
be cheerful about both.
I might not bring an expensive present, but it also doesn't
sound like they're expecting expensive things.
And I'd think of it as a way to make myself more of a person to
the people around me. I'd probably include a note with the
present, and I might put a little more personalized effort into
it. (Like, I might look for a really good dribble bib w/ a tiny
neck opening, and then give that w/ a note that says I really
liked this style when mine were little, or something.)
I would see it as a public-relations opportunity.
I also don't see it as a gift grab--I would see it as a way that
this workplace tries to keep some sense of community going.
#Post#: 18742--------------------------------------------------
Re: The work baby shower
By: TootsNYC Date: November 10, 2018, 4:04 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Kimpossible link=topic=800.msg18724#msg18724
date=1541866515]
[quote author=Bada link=topic=800.msg18722#msg18722
date=1541864831]
Good token gifts if you go that route (I would):
Size 1 diapers
Size 6 months baby onesie (or set, some are very cheap).
They won't need any more newborn clothes, gusranteed!
We got too much baby bath wash, we're still using it up 2 years
later! And too many snuggly blankie we never used.
[/quote]
Funny enough, I had very little newborn clothes for DD because
nearly everyone gave her size 6-9mo things. I had bought her
newborn things, but I made a mistake. Because she was born in
October, I assumed the weather would be cold and bought
accordingly. We had a fairly warm October that year.
I second the onesies suggestion. They are are great for layering
or for extra warm days. There are plenty of days that babies go
through them like tissues.
[/quote]
I have several times been the only person to give newborn-size
clothes or diapers.
The first time I gave a baby gift was for a boss one level up at
one of my earliest full-time jobs. I bought teeny little summer
outfits for a summer baby. When she got back, she told me that
she was SO glad of those outfits, because she'd bought all the
jammies for newborns, but no clothes--and nobody else at all had
given tiny things.
So now I often do that--I buy one outfit in the tiniest size
for the season the baby is expected int.
*****************************************************
DIR Next Page