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I'm sad for a dumb reason

I'm feeling really bummed that we haven't gotten a single baby gift yet. I know gifts aren't everything...it just makes me feel like no one really cares. You can flame me for being greedy if you want, I deserve it.
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Re: I'm sad for a dumb reason

  • Don't feel bad! We didn't get anything until a month after D was born, and that was at his 1 month celebration (chinese custom). Is there any custom like that in Ethiopia?
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  • Not that I know of, but almost everyone we know here is American. So many of my friends already had dozens of gifts and like 2 or 3 showers by this stage of their pregnancy. I've not only had no shower but not even a small gift from one person.
  • Do you have a shower planned? Just speaking for myself, I don't usually buy a gift pre-birth unless I am attending a shower. I would be waiting for the shower, or if there were to be no shower I would wait until after the birth. Gifts will come. :)
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  • That sucks! I'm sorry :(
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  • I agree, is there a shower?  If you want one, tell your mom.  Better to be upfront than disappointed.  Did you register anywhere?
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  • I think it is a valid reason to be sad. I am surprised your parents have given you anything, are they excited about the baby? I am sure you will get some gifts, but I totally understand being disappointed :(
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  • imagebluegirl2006:
    Do you have a shower planned? Just speaking for myself, I don't usually buy a gift pre-birth unless I am attending a shower. I would be waiting for the shower, or if there were to be no shower I would wait until after the birth. Gifts will come. :)
    No one has said anything about a shower. It's not like I'm going to throw one for myself. Many of my friends are too far away to come to a shower anyway.
  • I do have registries. Told my mom and sisters about them. No one appears to have looked at them. I'm kinda feeling panicked at this point. We have virtually nothing for the baby, not even a car seat or basic clothes, and we are literally broke (our rent check is about to bounce if I can't get in touch with the landlord and get him to hold off cashing it for a few days). I know it's our baby, not anyone else's, and we are responsible for making sure we have what we need. But I see people I know getting SO many gifts and of course often I'm giving a gift. It never crossed my mind that we'd be completely on our own.
  • imageMrsBini10:
    I do have registries. Told my mom and sisters about them. No one appears to have looked at them. I'm kinda feeling panicked at this point. We have virtually nothing for the baby, not even a car seat or basic clothes, and we are literally broke (our rent check is about to bounce if I can't get in touch with the landlord and get him to hold off cashing it for a few days). I know it's our baby, not anyone else's, and we are responsible for making sure we have what we need. But I see people I know getting SO many gifts and of course often I'm giving a gift. It never crossed my mind that we'd be completely on our own.

    I am so sorry you are going through this. If you are worried about not getting anything you should start looking at craigslist or consignment stores to get some basic clothes. The only things you absolutely need, and can't come home from the hospital without, would be a car seat (and I would be very leery of getting one used since they expire and you can't use one that has been in an accident), diapers, and a few clothes. I would get a few bottles just in case bf'ing doesn't work out for you, and usually the hospital will give you formula if you need some (and probably diapers/wipes as well). Do you have a crib or pack and play? 

    If you feel you won't be able to afford a car seat you should talk to your family, and if they aren't willing to help you out maybe they can loan you some money to help you out. 

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  • I'm sorry. I know it's not just about the "stuff." You want people to seem excited for you, that's normal. I hope they're all just saving it for closer to your due date and that you get a nice surprise.
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  • I do think most people wait until the baby is born to give a gift unless there is a shower.  I don't recall getting anything until weeks after having my babies from people stopping by to visit, etc...  We didn't register or have a shower though.  

    I think having a shower would be your best bet which will generate some excitement in people, and in the meantime, like pp said, pick up some necessities, trying 2nd hand stores & craigslist.  

  • I agree with frlcb. As long as you have the very basics (place for baby to sleep, a few basic outfits, a way to feed him and a car seat) you're good. Even if you can't afford a pnp or a crib right away, you can always have him sleep with you and B if you're comfortable with that. I'd definitely check out ebay, craigslist, consignment shops and even goodwill. Sometimes you can find a crib, pnp or moses basket there at goodwill. I've been there a few times when shopping for my niece, and it's a great place to get clothes as well. Just watch out for stains. Babies don't know the difference between designer and consignment shop clothing.

    D slept with DH and I for the first few weeks even though his crib is in our room. He was swaddled, and we had blankets on either side of him (a few inches away from him) on either side so we wouldn't roll on him at night. It never became an issue, and DH and I are the same as you and B. I'm heavy and he's super skinny. Our bed is a full size, so it can be done!

    Even if you don't get a single gift before minibini is born, I'm sure gifts will come afterward. It's not a dumb reason, I was sad for the exact same thing. Chin up, MrsBini!

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  • I agree with others, unless there is a shower, I do not send baby gifts until the baby is home from the hospital.  Too many things can happen for me to be comfortable sending gifts before everyone is home and ready for visitors, you know?  I think there are many people who feel the same way.  They are all probably planning to send gifts, but just waiting until you are home and have baby safely in your arms to do so.

    I know it's disappointing not to have any gifts yet, but they will come, people can't resist babies once they have arrived.

    I don't mind being held to a higher standard; I mind being held to a lower one. (Sam Seaborn, The West Wing)
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  • Everyone is saying no one gets gifts until the shower or the baby is home. Why has basically everyone I know who's had babies recently gotten plenty of gifts while still pregnant? Not shower gifts but just friends and relatives sending gifts? Do I just know lots of really popular people, or what?
  • I'm sorry! I agree with the opinion perhaps people are just waiting. And I agree with whoever said just get the essentials. Honestly, babies don't need that much. Look on craiglist and get a bassinet (can be used until about 6 months old) and a carseat and a stroller/ pram. Ugh, worrying about this stuff is not fun! I hope it all turns around.
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  • I don't think it's a dumb reason, I would be sad too. I think wait until after the baby is born, people will send gifts, and in the beginning you won't need the crib, toys, etc right away, you'll have some time.


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  • (((hugs))) Maybe it's a regional thing because I've always known people to get gifts while still pregnant and I'm a bit surprised that everyone is saying that's not normal. It's not dumb at all and I'd be upset too. If you were having a girl, I'd send you a mess of stuff!
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  • Oh, do they have free stuff clubs? Like here you can sign up with some of the big brands for diapers and stuff, and they'll give you a box of junk for free. I got a diaper pail, some clothes, a book, lots of dipes, etc. that way. I know it's not the same, but it still felt nice to get stuff just for being pregnant.
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  • Thanks girls. I'm such a hormonal mess these days. I was seriously up til midnight crying about this. I know it's not a big deal...I just don't feel like anyone but me is really excited about the baby. Between no gifts and not really looking pg until a few weeks ago I guess I've felt attention deprived. The world doesn't revolve around me though and I should know that by now.
  • Dont you work at a school? I am sure your coworkers will do something for you before you go on maternity leave.

     

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  • It's OK to feel that way, especially considering the fiancial strain you're under right now. Is this something you can talk to your family about at all? Even if they don't throw you a shower, maybe they can help you out with a few necessities.
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  • imagedulcemariamar1:

    Dont you work at a school? I am sure your coworkers will do something for you before you go on maternity leave.

     

    I've been hoping they would. I don't know though. It's only my 2nd year there, I don't know everyone super well.
  • I'm so sorry you're going through this, that must be so hard :-(  I agree that if you need help financially, maybe try talking to your parents to see if they can help. But I understand why you're sad, I certainly would be too. ((((hugs))))
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  • I'd be upset, too.  It's not dumb at all.  Gifts make you feel like people are excited for you.  I really don't know what to tell you.  Do your friends usually have baby showers?

    I agree that it's worth looking for used baby stuff.  We went to a couple of these sales called "Just Between Friends" when my sister was pregnant and we were able to find clothes that still had price tags on them.  It's definitely worth a look. In the very beginning just little onesies are all you need really as far as outfits go.  I loved the plain little white ones.  

     

  • I don't think it's dumb at all.  I really don't know what to say, but I'm sorry you're going through that and I agree with Lorry that it's surprising so many people are saying it's normal not to give gifts until after baby is born.  

    ((hugs))

    If I were you I'd feel very sad as well, but like PPs have said it's time to find the basics for as cheap as possible.  The good thing is babies don't need as much as thebump makes you think.  I'm sure you'll be able to scrap up what you need for the necessities and hopefully after your LO is born you will be blessed with gifts! 

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  • I know around here there are tons of consignment sales for kids/babies this time of year, I would look into that as well.

    I didn't get any gifts, shower aside, until after my kids were born. I don't think people normally just send gifts before the baby is born, without it being for a shower.

    Honestly you should tell your mom and sister how you feel. Maybe they don't know how upset you are about this. 

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  • I?m guessing that you?ll have a shower from your school or family, or both, and that it?s supposed to be a surprise. I do remember seeing a comment on your FB status from your sister that would seem to suggest that it might be the case. If I remember right, you said you wanted a shower to be a surprise, so maybe that?s why?

     

    mc: 5w3d 11/11/07 missed mc: 7w or 8w, d/c @11w 4/16/08 mc: 6wks 12/24/08 Pregnancy Ticker
  • imagelelia:

    I?m guessing that you?ll have a shower from your school or family, or both, and that it?s supposed to be a surprise. I do remember seeing a comment on your FB status from your sister that would seem to suggest that it might be the case. If I remember right, you said you wanted a shower to be a surprise, so maybe that?s why?

     

    That's true, I did want a surprise. But isn't it super late to be having it? I guess I thought if I were having a shower at all it would've happened by now. Maybe not though. I'm kind of worried someone thought of it and then realized I had basically no friends and decided not to :(
  • imageMrsBini10:
    imagelelia:

    I?m guessing that you?ll have a shower from your school or family, or both, and that it?s supposed to be a surprise. I do remember seeing a comment on your FB status from your sister that would seem to suggest that it might be the case. If I remember right, you said you wanted a shower to be a surprise, so maybe that?s why?

     

    I'm kind of worried someone thought of it and then realized I had basically no friends and decided not to :(
    MrsBini have no friends?! I don?t think so!! I know there is a whole board full of people here who like you, and I?m sure you have friends there, too.

    As for being kind of late. Well, you technically have six more weeks to go, so maybe it?s supposed to happen in the next couple of weeks. I think my Sister had a shower for her twins about six weeks before her due date, and twins come early usually. But I?m not super up on what?s the norm or not.

    Where did you register?

    mc: 5w3d 11/11/07 missed mc: 7w or 8w, d/c @11w 4/16/08 mc: 6wks 12/24/08 Pregnancy Ticker
  • Be careful what you wish for!  lol

    Honestly, it would never occur to me to send a gift before the baby is born. Wait until the baby is born and reassess.

    image
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