Sending a baby shower gift that will not arrive in time.

oldsak

My friends are having a baby shower soon. I'm not going because they live across the country, so I am sending a gift. Is it poor form to send something from the registry that is on back-order and will not arrive until a month after the shower? Should I just pick something else?

I have a feeling the mom to be just clicked on stuff she liked and did not pay too much attention to availability as several things on their registry listed as back-order.

Magus`

Well if they really want it enough that they request it, it's not really your fault that it might take a bit. You aren't exactly obligated to gift them anyhow.

GnomeTank

Normally the prudent thing to do in this case is to send a card in lieu, sometimes with a gift receipt, that says "Hey sorry the gift didn't arrive on time, it's on back-order, but it's coming!".

mts

here is my take as someone who has a 6 month old.

don't worry that you missed the shower. as long as its getting there within a couple weeks its fine otherwise, i would just wait and send it after the baby is born. unless its something that the absolutely want and will buy if they dont get it at the shower

Kipling

Call and ask. They are specifically asking for something, and you buying it is not a surprise.

I've done it for weddings on things that are slightly different than what they put on the list. Just frame it that you care so much you want their OK, and if not you will get them something else just as great.

Figgy

You can also try finding the same item at another store and calling the original store to have it checked off.

ToddJewell

as a parent and having dealt with baby showers -- I don't know what it is you are buying, but considering buying clothes... but not newborn clothes. We got inundated with clothes that latest maybe a month and then after that point the baby is out of newborn clothes and wearing 3 month/6 month clothing. If someone had gotten us a box of 6 month diapers and clothes to go with it, we would have probably adopted them. Course now our daughter is almost 5 and I'll be damned if I even know what size she wears, it seems to change on a daily basis.

oldsak

Thanks guys. I decided to just buy the thing and send a card.