Is it Acceptable to Ask For Cash Rather Than Gifts at Your Baby Shower?

Are you planning a baby shower?  If so, it’s likely that you’ll be hoping to receive all the items that you’re going to need to care for your new addition.  However, this is often not the case.  In fact, the vast majority of baby shower gifts tend to be non-practical or duplicate items, which you may wish to return to the store, either for a credit or for cash. 

So is it appropriate for you to try to save yourself that hassle by asking for cash gifts, rather than traditional presents at your baby shower?

First, in these financially difficult times, you should understand that asking for cash rather than gifts at a baby shower is completely acceptable.  However, you will possibly offend a few people attending, usually those in an older generation who most likely had planned to bring you a treasured hand-me-down or even an item of baby’s clothing that they have made themselves.

There are also those who feel that gift giving is important for the process itself, those who enjoy picking out something that they hope you’ll like and use.  Tell these people that it is totally fine to give gifts, but you’d prefer cash.

Second, you might just give some of your baby shower attendees some peace of mind.  It can be enormously difficult to choose the right baby shower gifts, particularly if the buyer has never had a baby themselves and is unaware of what exactly makes a good gift for a soon-to-be new parent.  Telling these attendees that cash is certainly acceptable will take a load off their minds.

However, when asking for cash gifts at your baby shower, never state that you want only money.  Make an effort to tell all potential attendees that cash or traditional gifts will be appreciated enormously and be happy with what you get out of the process.  After all, you can always take unwanted/ unneeded gifts back to the store or an exchange, if not a refund.