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Originally Posted by kssinca  it will even survive one washing!
And my mom wants me to plan/do my shower, which is fine, but I am trying to come up with the right wording regarding gifts. I will have my registry done by then but people will still want to get us stuff that isn't on the registry. My family/friends won't be offended - so not really an etiquette question. So DH came up with the following wording, "Mom-to-be prefers items that do not have tv characters on it and prefers toys that are not made in China."
Do you think that is clear? I'm trying to think if that is good enough.
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Are there other people invited -- like your mom's friends or something? I hate to say it, but while I totally understand where you're coming from, I think you're going to offend people by telling them what they should or shouldn't buy, on the invitation.
If you're really afraid you'll get things you haven't registered for, that you'll be uncomfortable with, maybe try phrasing it in a more subtle way? I don't think clearer is better in this case. I think you'll upset some people and end up regretting it if you go with something terribly blunt.
Maybe instead of the comment on characters, put something about your nursery theme, for instance: "Nursery colors are pale blues and greens. Theme is soft watercolors" (or clouds, or whatever really vague thing you can think of).
Could something like that work? If you provide a vague enough "theme" for your nursery, then I think you can avoid the whole character clothing or gear theme thing entirely without offending people. You're giving them a nudge in the right direction, away from a blatant character-based "theme." Though keep in mind if you list something like, "jungle theme" then yeah, you might get some Curious George stuff. Or a "princess theme" is guaranteed to bring in the Disney Princess junk. Stick with very vague things. Our "theme" was shabby chic.
No one bought us character stuff. I actually bought some Classic Winnie the Pooh things because I'm fine with it. But we didn't put any mention of it on the registry, because we were afraid we'd be inundated with the Disney stuff. It worked.
We weren't.
I would not, however, put anything on there about made in China, personally. If they're buying you something you did not register for, hopefully you can return it. But unless you're 100% certain that none of the items you've registered for were made in China, I wouldn't say anything on the invitation. Spread the word informally that you prefer made in America or non-MiC, or European-based toys, etc. Mention the new regulations that will begin to take effect next month here in the US but aren't yet nationwide. But I wouldn't put any mention of it on the invitation. I think you'll alienate some people. If a friend of mine put that on her invitation, I'd be a bit put off, honestly. I'd understand her reasoning, but it would still sting a bit and make me less excited about wanting to buy her something really special. Hopefully people will be smart enough to figure out that you wouldn't want any MiC stuff if you're registered for all natural, organic, etc., goodies.
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