Save the date.....for a Baby Shower?

Tacky.

I'm okay with save the dates for wedding, graduation, milestone anniversaries because these are major life events. Yes, having a baby is a major life event too but having a shower to give presents isn't. To me, it reeks of "Save the date so I can get lots of presents!" Participants really aren't witnessing an 'event'.

Tacky. People do have lives and sometimes you can't make it to a shower. I'm probably not going to plan 6 months in advance to attend a shower. Incidentally, I got a save-the-date magnet for a baby shower 6 months out. I was planning to go, but my family came to town for a visit that weekend, so they won out over the shower.

Um, no.

I guess some people appreciate the heads up, but personally, I feel like not every event in every person's life is so utterly important that we all need to plan 3 months in advance for it. For me, a couple weeks is plenty of notice for a shower. If I can't go, I can't go.

Of course, weddings are different. An event with such importance deserves a little planning ahead. But seriously, people, not every event in life is that important.

Definetly tacky, sounds like someone really wants to get all the gifts they can.

tacky.
but then, i'm a curmudgeon. i think showers are tacky.
:) khairete
S.

We sent one out for our "baby welcoming," but to me that's a little different. We were having a celebration about 1 week after the baby was born, but we didn't want to send out invitations in case something happened and we couldn't have the party. We're a little superstitious : ) So we sent out a save the date that was basically like "we think we'll be having a party on this date, keep your eyes peeled for a very short notice invitation" (it was worded nicer than that!). That makes sense to me, because people do need more than a week's notice.

It would also make sense to send a save the date if the mother-to-be is from out of town and a lot of family members and close friends would need to travel to be at the shower.

But yes, without extenuating circumstances, tacky.

tacky! i refused to send one out for a bridal shower that I was planning, even though the mother of the bride wanted me to.

I Appreciate them. Why is that tacky? Some people may live out of town. Have busy lives, need to get baby sitters. Ask for the day off....

I HATE save-the-date cards for anything. I think it's another way for the industry to make money and sell you stuff you don't need. The way to invite people is to send an invitation, period.

For a shower, the hostess needs to check informally with key participants (like the guest of honor, her mother, etc.) and choose a date. Then send invitations to guests.

For weddings, I don't see why a family can't casually inform their immediate relatives and key friends ("we're so excited that the kids will be getting married on June 12th") while the bride/groom invite their wedding party. They can start to inquire about hotels for out-of-town guests and so on, but the real invitation is...THE INVITATION!

I agree that save-the-date cards are designed to make you mark your calendar before the hostess gets her act together to send invitations. But it's twice the work, really. For weddings, usually the save-the-date card also includes the wedding website to let you know what you should be doing about gifts. I find that offensive. None of this appears in any etiquette books of any standing.

I think it's fine. But maybe I am tacky! I just don't see the harm in giving people a heads up about something. They can still be busy or say they can't come.

Never heard of it either.

If it's being saved by anyone other than the mother-to-be it's not tacky. And as long as there's a mother-to-be. :-) And as long as it's not between 4-9 months away.

tacky? hmm. not sure.

we did it for my bridal shower, but that was just for family so it was no big deal - a good way for all of us to get on the same page since it was planned fairly early. my aunt made these cute little magnets and mailed them out. amd i can see doing it on facebook or via email, just a little blurb to let people know. also, is it the only one the mom is having? it may be more important to her that everyone gets to attend. is the question because it's a baby shower, instead of a more "important" event?

i don't know. in your area (i am from the midwest) maybe things like that are more strictly judged...i wouldn't question it. guess i'm looking like a bumpkin now. lol!

I don't think it's tacky. I haven't done it but I've had friends who have, and I never thought twice about it. A lot of us have a bunch of the same friends, and it's helpful to know what's being planned so there aren't conflicting events.

I don't think it's tacky, but I don't really see the point. I mean you aren't normally planning a shower so far in advance that you can't just send out the invitation. If you are afraid that people will forget, maybe send an email reminder closer to the event saying that you are looking forward to seeing everyone.

tacky? no not tacky....neccesary? nah, not so much....cute? possibly!

It might be because a lot of people will be traveling into town for the shower. That makes perfect sense. Why is that "tacky" to give people a head's up about a future event?

I think this is to ensure those who work, have very busy lives and such will have ample time and opportunity to ask for that night/day off if they plan on going - nothing more. Showers are fun times for those who go (usually) and I know I sent out a text stating the day I chose BEFORE I sent out the invitations... simply to give everyone a heads up. It's for July 2nd and I sent out the text last week.

Never heard of such a thing.

I appreciate the advance notice that 'save the date' cards provide, whether it's for a shower, wedding, or birthday party. The invitation that comes later is like a reminder, plus it has all the details. I guess if I didn't have such a crazy work schedule I might find it tacky, but I really appreciate knowing important dates well in advance!