Gift Cards at a Shower

cottonlily84 · March 2012

To me are the same thing as cash, and you shouldn't ask for it. But SIL has requested in my lawn and garden shower invite to include that they would like gift cards from home improvement stores. I don't know how to politely do this, or if I should at all.

Mrs.B6302007 · March 2012

I don't see the point of encouraging GCs at showers since that leads to awkward gift-opening. "Aw, thanks so much for the $25 GC!" "Wow, Aunt Sally! $100 GC? Thanks so much!" Obviously, I'm exaggerating a bit but if there aren't boxed gifts to open, there really isn't much point to a shower.

Meegles4 · March 2012

I'd just express the theme on the invitation. If people know that it's a lawn and garden shower, they'll know to get your lawn and garden gifts -- which might include gift cards to lawn and garden stores.

I agree with Mrs. B that if it's a gift card only shower, that's kinda weird, but if you also expect boxed gifts, I think it's fine and people will get the hint to stay within the theme.

DramaGeek · March 2012

I wouldn't. If people call and ask where they're registered, you can say "I know they're planning to do quite a bit of home improvement so i'm sure they'd appreciate anything that woudl help them reach their goals."

AceTT · March 2012

I agree with the other posters. Gift card showers are really awkward. A friend of mine received almost exclusively gift cards at her shower, which was really awkward. She luckily had enough class to just say "It's a gift card to BB&B, thank you!" or "It's a gift card to Macy's, thank you!" rather than "It's a $100 gift card to BB&B," since some people gave more or less, as always happens in gift giving situations.

I think having a lawn and garden themed invitation is fine, but to expressly state that it's a lawn and garden themed shower is a little weird. What if I want to get her a blender and not a rake??

Meegles4 · March 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_gift-cards-at-a-shower?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:335dbe19-e341-46fd-b7c5-fea6ab943db7Post:5fbdf911-eae7-42ae-990a-1e09ef5475f8">Re: Gift Cards at a Shower</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree with the other posters. Gift card showers are really awkward. A friend of mine received almost exclusively gift cards at her shower, which was really awkward. She luckily had enough class to just say "It's a gift card to BB&B, thank you!" or "It's a gift card to Macy's, thank you!" rather than "It's a $100 gift card to BB&B," since some people gave more or less, as always happens in gift giving situations. <strong>I think having a lawn and garden themed invitation is fine, but to expressly state that it's a lawn and garden themed shower is a little weird. What if I want to get her a blender and not a rake</strong>??
Posted by AceTT[/QUOTE]

I don't think it's weird to have a themed shower. Some people have kitchen showers, lingerie showers, and hey, Rachers had a "stock the bar shower", my personal fave :-)

I personally wouldn't want to have a lawn/garden shower because I have neither a lawn nor a garden, but hey, whatever floats her boat.

To Eagles' point, duh, you're hosting the shower. I stick by my original advice. Focus on the theme, and people can get her what they want - gifts or gift cards. Eagles is right that it's probably worth explaining to her why you don't want to put anything expressly about gift cards on the invitation.

chumlee7478 · March 2012

I wouldn't put anything related to the home and garden shops/gift cards on the invite, but I'd spread the word that they're saving for renovations/yard projects. I don't think there's harm in that.

Did she register at Target (where she could pick out yard stuff) or did she not register at all?

My shower was over the weekend, and I know we got 3 gift cards, the rest were wrapped/boxed items. They were from people who couldn't attend in person but sent cards with the gift certificates inside. I couldn't imagine sitting through a shower watching someone open envelope upon envelope. I'd rather watch someone stack hay bales. YAWN.

DramaGeek · March 2012

I think the theme thing is really regional or circle specific. It is totally normal in my circle to have a theme for the shower - in fact, we had a "honey-do" shower since we bought our house two months before our wedding and had absolutely no home maintenance stuff. H's aunt threw it for us and it was really nice to get things like hoses, rakes, a wheelbarrow, a drill, the things you need to keep up on a home but don't necessarily want to go out and buy, especially if you're just starting out.

Even so, a theme is a suggestion and people can take it or leave it. Really, you can tie just about anything into a theme. An outdoor bar set, lawn games, even towels (especially if paired with some sunscreen and flip flops) work for the theme.

lstruggles · March 2012

I think telling the bride to be that you don't want to include it on the invite but you plan to spread the word is the best thing. Personally, I wouldn't be offended at being told what someone wants (you end up asking someone anyway "do you know what they want?" if they aren't registered) but spreading the word is the best way to avoid offending other guests who may think it's rude.

OR tell you SIL to register at Lowe's and Home Depot.

[Deleted User] · March 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_gift-cards-at-a-shower?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:335dbe19-e341-46fd-b7c5-fea6ab943db7Post:440f5090-e824-42c4-a500-421f811fc7ea">Re: Gift Cards at a Shower</a>:
[QUOTE]Also, watching someone open gifts can be boring enough. Watching someone open envelopes? That's like sitting there while someone goes through her mail. No thank you.
Posted by EaglesBride2012[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>THIS. I was getting ready to say just this.

</div>

j-harvey · March 2012

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