Is it tacky to tell guests to bring food/refreshments to a baby shower? Normally, guests bring gifts.

P.S.: I'm not the hostess, nor am I close to the mother-to-be. Just wondering because, every culture is different. Do the same etiquette rules still apply? Currently find myself in this scenario.

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hami1091 · 41-45, F

Are you supposed to bring a gift or is the request to bring your own food/drinks in lieu of the gift? Things are so different today, I didn't want a baby shower when I was pregnant with my daughter and I was thrown a surprise baby shower and then I was criticized when the inner mouth runner informed everyone I donated mostly everything I got. I'm old, I have a stable income, my baby didn't need anything so I could see the in lieu of gift bring some refreshments, but at the same time had I known about the baby shower I would have provided those too. :/ I have no idea how these things work these days, cause in my case I got one I didn't want and your situation if it is in lieu of perhaps the mother has everything but still wants people to contribute to the shower kind of like a pot-luck thing, otherwise she is either too broke to have a shower and needs things or she is too entitled and wants everything, you decide, I don't know her.

DiamondPrincess89 · 31-35, F

@hami1091: Originally, a gift - either via registry or wrapped up. It's only after (or before, in some cases) people RSVP'd, random calls and texts were asking people to bring specific meal platters/dishes.

DiamondPrincess89 · 31-35, F

@hami1091: I'm sorry you had to experience that, too. I don't think it is appropriate (by a long mile) to go against the wishes of expectant parents. You sound like a humble person, and that shouldn't be thrown off by misjudgment (considering, you did not want a shower in the first place).