Results for: Baby Shower Etiquette

A neighbor’s unconventional request for gifts for her daughter’s baby shower without extending an invitation has raised questions about etiquette and the purpose of baby showers. The neighbor’s request via text message to a large group of neighbors specified a baby registry link for gift purchases, but no invitation to the event itself. The request has sparked debate among neighbors, with some offering congratulations and promising gifts, while others express discomfort with the idea of providing presents without being invited to the gathering.

As baby showers evolve, a new trend has emerged: virtual gatherings where guests are expected to purchase gifts without attending the event. In this instance, a neighbor has texted a group of people with a request for baby gifts, despite not inviting them to an actual baby shower. Miss Manners advises that such requests may cross the line of etiquette, as showers are traditionally occasions for bonding and celebrating the expectant mother.

Miss Manners offers guidance on two etiquette dilemmas: one involving a guest who consistently declines meals despite accepting dinner invitations, and another regarding a neighbor who requests gifts for a grandchild’s baby shower despite no invitation being extended.