BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Office Baby Shower

I just got a reminder email about a baby shower for a fellow employee that is occuring tomorrow. I wasn't planning on going there anyhow (I have the day off tomorrow for an installation of some TV equipment at home) but here is the text of the email:



I was thinking if I was to find something that was to "brighten their day", what would that be?

Since I am a guy, so by nature, I am not attracted to baby showers in the least. Being CF, that adds to the desire to not actually "celebrate" a baby's arrival from my POV.

Something I could bring, as was mentioned somewhere on here, would be a book on helping with dealing with troubled teenagers. Yes, I know that could be seen as being kind of mean. The obvious gift is a big bag of diapers. I guess what I don't get is that I don't see any part of that process of having/taking care of the upcoming baby as being anything that would "brighten their day."

Those were the thoughts as I read that email today. I consider this to be a prelude to my immediate co-worker, whose wife will be having a baby in about 4-5 months, for which I will feel obligated to do something. The way I see it, any advanced preparation would be helpful.

Any thoughts or ideas?

I do like the book idea. But seeing as how they will be new parents, they probably will not have the time or energy to read it. I say keep it simple. A gift certificate to someplace that you know they will use. I say Target. That way, if they don't appreciate the fact that you did think about them, you can turn around and use the gift for yourself.

I like the gift card idea to a place like Target or even a grocery store.

The comment in the email about "Bring something to brighten their day" makes me wonder if they're having financial problems or something. Maybe it's just my imagination, but it strikes me as strange.

Get them condoms! They did that on Sex and the City when they went to a baby shower, and it was hilarious! I think it's too late to brighten their day LOL! Too bad they didn't use condoms earlier!

A box of diapers wouldn't brighten my day, but apparently parents love this stuff. It's pretty awesome that you have off tomorrow.

For your immediate coworker, I would maybe get him something for himself. Like you said, maybe a book. Maybe a box of cigars? Or ear plugs. You could put together a fun gag gift that would also be helpful. Maybe an air freshener for the baby's room? I'm so bored with buying that [censored] for people that I've been getting more creative about it. Children's books are fun, and a little less depressing than some of the other gifts. Or, maybe you can tell your immediate coworker that baby showers aren't your thing, and you could take him to lunch instead? Sounds reasonable to me.

I like the gift card idea to a place like Target or even a grocery store.

Seems reasonable and good to me.

The comment in the email about "Bring something to brighten their day" makes me wonder if they're having financial problems or something. Maybe it's just my imagination, but it strikes me as strange.

I know -- the wording did strike me as being strange. That is why I was asking/stating that in the forum here.

Get them condoms! They did that on Sex and the City when they went to a baby shower, and it was hilarious! I think it's too late to brighten their day LOL! Too bad they didn't use condoms earlier!

I also thought of that. However, this being a shower at a school system, plus I don't really know this person that well, err .. it could get ugly

]A box of diapers wouldn't brighten my day, but apparently parents love this stuff. It's pretty awesome that you have off tomorrow.

I realize I wouldn't appreciate diapers, etc but from someone in that position, it might be something good.

As far as being off tomorrow, that was a coincidence. The earliest install date for the TV, the installation and placement of the speakers, including in-wall wiring, etc, was this Thursday. Since this is a long installation (about 4-5 hours of time with the installers, I felt I needed to be there to make sure that everything was up to speed. I did not know about the exact date of this shower until about two days ago, so it really was a coincidence. I'll take it.

Children's books are fun, and a little less depressing than some of the other gifts. Or, maybe you can tell your immediate coworker that baby showers aren't your thing, and you could take him to lunch instead? Sounds reasonable to me.

He pretty much knows that baby showers aren't my thing. He has actually been good about not bringing up the baby or other things since the announcement. But I know that they have done good things for me (ie by throwing me a mini-marriage celebration two years ago) so I feel the need to return the favor and be sociable at least a little bit.

That shower, etc stuff with him and his wife, at least I know that is coming, so I can be ready for such things.

I have a feeling that he will be a good parent. He is in his early 30s, as is his wife, and they seem to be happy and really want to have this child. Good for them. Just because they want to experience a child, good for them. It is definitely not me, but then I am unique

I usually buy something for the mother when she gives birth - they get so much stuff for the baby...pampering type things...bath salts, body lotion...
We gave one new Mum a gift pass to a day spa for a massage and treatment - she said it saved her sanity.
I'm a baby shower virgin however, I have contributed for group gifts over the years and bought gifts for coworkers & others over the years.
A 24 year old woman in the office accidentally fell pregnant - they were going to struggle big time - she had already arranged to return to work 6 weeks after the birth so, we all bought her the pram. Sometimes, people need the practical things...older and/or established people have that part covered usually...
I've given things like six little ducks for the bath (I wanted to keep those), a boxed rattle, blankets and books.
I love books so bought the classic books from my childhood also, books we read to my younger siblings, when my nephew was born...they were put away until he was older - things like "The Magic Faraway Tree"..."The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"..."The Magic Pudding"...
My brother and his partner are having a son in July - I recently bought them a pair of coloured prints from a children's book printed in the 1940's by an Australian author - I thought they'd be nice for the nursery and I loved the content - fairies, pixies, koala's, acorn butter, sea foam cakes...hope they like them as much as I do...
Fortunately, in your line of work, if it gets too painful - you can always find an excuse to leave, "Sorry, I have to go, something has just crashed"...

Mothers-to-be often like Babies-R-Us cards, if there is a store around your area.

Scary store, though. Very, very scary.

::snicker:: Every time I hear the words "baby shower", I'm reminded of the first comic of Something Positive:BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!

That's too funny! LOL. My Mom was telling me that an acquaintance is pregnant with her second child. I said, "oh, really?" And my Mom said, supposedly it's a good thing, and they are happy about it. My response was like the woman had just been diagnosed with cancer or something. It's all relative I guess.

I always wondered if this couple was liking parenting. Do you think it's safe to say they really like it b/c they are having another, or do you think that even if someone isn't that happy as a parent they would have another? Just curious.