I just gave a baby shower for my daughter-in-law a few weeks ago. It was very traditional. I put on the invitation where she was registered. I had a luncheon, and played baby shower bingo while she opened the gifts. My son and DIL are from out of town so stayed at our house that night. She came right into the house, set down and wrote out the thank yous.
I would have a hard time getting an invitation telling me they want gift cards.

I haven't gotten one of those yet but you can be sure I wont be going if I do get one.

I think that is very tacky.

I never got an invitation that wanted gift cards only. It does seem tacky, but maybe there's a reason.I personally would never put that on an invite. My daughter just got married in April. And there were 2 showers. One was up north where we used to live given by her Maid of Honor and a Bridesmaid and I had one for her work friends. The guests knew where she was registered and some got gifts from the registry and others gave gift cards or money.I just drove the gifts from the up north shower back home with me.She got the things they really wanted with the gift cards.Some of the ladies got her frilly baby dolls and sexy underwear.

I agree--it is tacky. They might as well suggested the amount of money the gift card should be for. It's like they are charging admission or something. As for the older couple who already have everything, perhaps a favorite charity would benefit instead of sugesting what gifts should be given.
Sue

If a couple has already set up house and is living together why even have a 'bridal shower' I thought the shower was to help a new couple set up house!!!!!!
I opt for the charity also!!!!!!!!!!!1

This may be a good idea as a suggestion, but not as a directive. I think I would pass on this situation. This event sound like gift-fishing.

The thank you cards are another issue. I read where a bride to be wanted to write one thank you card and pass it around at the shower. Yes, the attendees heard about it in advance. I would not attend that shower for sure!

That is so awesome that your DIL wrote out the thank-yous right away like that. I know that people wonder whether you need to write thank-yous when you've opened the gifts in front of the giver at a shower and hopefully thanked them then, but it's always nice to get a written thank-you later. And especially for anyone who mailed a gift, getting a prompt thank-you is so nice - otherwise, if you didn't put a delivery confirmation on it, you don't know if they even got it!

Couple of thoughts here.

Sometimes gift cards are the best way to go ...
- if a soon to be married couple already have their own places and don't need much 'stuff'. Coordinating the cards for certain stores - like Home Depot, Lowe's, or such - makes total sense. Remember these are guidelines, and sometimes have a purpose.
- if the person the shower is for lives far away and gifts would be hard to take home. Then there might be the option of giving a picture of the gift and then mailing the gift to them.
- if there are a lot of hand me downs already for a baby or the parents to be don't have much room for more 'stuff.'

Of course you could always call whoever is hosting the shower and talk about preferences/reasons/ etc and then decide if you can make it or not.

Funny topic in a way. This summer one gal I met said that there had been so many divorces that now she only makes picnic quilts for newly weds and waits til the 5th year anniversary before making a bed quilt.

My bridal gifts have ranged from addressing the invitations with calligraphy to decorating the reception hall. These were really appreciated gifts, too.

ali