Registry Mania

[sal_amanda]

So I guess we're all set with the registry stuff. We have been pretty much for a few weeks now as someone suggested to me that we do it before the holidays so people could buy stuff from them for Christmas. But then I didn't really tell anyone about them and it's a week until Christmas now so I guess it really doesn't matter, but at least it's done for future reference.

Besides, I really don't want all my Christmas presents to be for the baby. If people want to buy presents for the baby, I'm all for it, but that doesn't mean I don't still want presents for me. And it's generally the mother that can get screwed on that one. Tell me I'm selfish, I don't care.

In any case, the registries are at Target and Babies R Us, the standards of baby registry land. We did a mix of stuff that's available at the stores and stuff that's available online as we have a mix of people that will likely be shopping for us, so we've provided lots of options. We registered for way more stuff than we probably need and goodness knows where exactly we'd put all that stuff anyway, but what the hell. Again, it gives people options.

Mom has already mentioned me putting together a guest list for a shower so she can get a head count and be concerned about invitations in about a month. Looks like it's going to be scheduled for February 24th, so I have requested a Mardi Gras theme as I will clearly not be going this year.

Incidentally, I need some advice at how far out of town do you go with inviting people to a baby shower ([Bad username or unknown identity: busybusymama  I'm looking specifically to you for input on this one)?  I mean, I know lots of people who have had babies and didn't feel they needed to invite me to their showers because I live so far away.  I'm just fine with that.  I usually send a present anyway.  And there are a few people that we'll invite regardless, like members of John's family despite the fact that they likely won't come, so as not to offend anyone.  But how do I determine how far out of town is too far to invite if it's just a friend?   edit: This entry seems to be having a major snafu, in which case this edit probably won't show up either.  Gah! ]

Comments

[busybusymama.livejournal.com]

Are you looking for a convenient way not to include the in-laws? Incidently, I know someone that calls hers the outlaws. I kinda like that!

[sal_amanda]

Ooh, I seem to have run into a problem. I didn't reread the post after I posted it. I had attempted to put your user name in asking you specifically for advice and there was at least a whole other paragraph after that explaining what I mean. Well, let me do so here. The in-laws we'll clearly be inviting, but it doesn't matter because I know they won't come anyway. Just like the bridal shower, John's great-aunt who lives in Buffalo and aunt who lives in Honeoye Falls (both on his dad's side) will likely attend and that's it.

Most people I know who don't live around here (which is most everyone I know) and has had a kid didn't invite me to the baby shower. This is fine with me. I usually send a present anyway and generally don't think I'd travel out of town for a baby shower. There are a couple exceptions for people who've already said they'll come if they can and know ahead of time. Those people I've given a heads up, but I find them to be in the minority of folks I know. So I'm trying to figure out my radius. Like, Kelly, for example, is in Rochester so that doesn't seem too far, but then you're out in Vermont and there's my friend in Albany and another about the same distance in the other direction in Ohio. I wouldn't expect you guys to come, but then again, I don't want to not invite people and find out I'm being rude. Does that make sense? I'm not sure I'm explaining myself clearly.

[busybusymama.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... I know that I put exactly two friends on my baby shower invite list, and both lived within 1/2 hours, so it would have been weird not to invite them. I was overly stressed about the entire shower-thing and didn't want to have to deal with one at all. I would have much preferred to have it JUST friends, especially considered it was primarily John-Paul's family, and they still hated us back then for leaving the farm. I didn't have one for Grace at all.

I think that it isn't bad to invite people that are far away. you never know what people might want to do. If it wasn't February, I would actually want to go, because it would mean a night away from the kids (ie a full night sleep without a certain little boy waking us up 5-15 times a night with night terrors). Oh, yeah, and it would fun to be at your shower. ;)

As long as the people that are far away don't perceive the invitation as "just looking for a gift", but if they are really friends, then they shouldn't think that.

Of course, you can just invite people that live close (Kelly would be considered close), and not worry about anyone besides that. Either way, I don't think that anyone would be offended.

I guess that wasn't very helpful...

[sal_amanda]

That was actually genuine concern of mine. I didn't want people to think I was just fishing for a gift. I think I'll do it on a case by case basis. And I'll send one to you just in case we're still having a warm winter and you'd like to come out. ;)

[i-am-solid.livejournal.com]

Ah, now I have a target date to get supplies. I will order them after the hubbub of Christmas dies down. But the 24th is a tricky date. I will actually be in SC since Mardi Gras will be over, but that date is Winthrop Day. Only the most important Open House of the year, when all admitted students roll in and we all run around trying to make everything perfect. Which does not trump your baby shower by any means. What may trump the shower is the cold/flu thing I get every freakin' year on the tail end of the Mardi Gras trip. We all call it the Mardi Gras Crud because everyone seems to get it from each other. But you never know. I just might be able to pull something off and show up. In any case, you'll definitly have the best themed party around once I get done ordering.

[sal_amanda]

Yeah, Mom wanted it that weekend because she has off the whole week before that so she can do any last minute planning, etc. I figured you'd not want to travel up here after just getting back from NOLA. I'd be fricking too tired for that.

I'll have to make sure to wear my KOE medallion for the event. Gotta represent.