Help me find a poem...

[celestialstarco]

My friends and inlaws have an obession with giving DD stuffed toys. It's reached an amount I can only describe as out of control- even though I've given loads away, it's really impractical... they take up so much room, and they're not even suitable for children to play with. She's nine months, and the tags state NOT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3.
I tried hinting that she has too many toys shortly after her birth by lining them all up on the stairs and taking a photo, figuring that if people saw how many she has, they'd be less inclined to add to the pile. It hasn't worked. We live in an apartment, so it's not like we have unlimited storeage space. DP is also in the army, so we'll be moving often, and stuffed toys are so bulky.

I'm not a grinch, and I DO NOT mean to sound ungrateful... I'm so thankful that so many people love me and love my daughter... but there are other gifts I'd prefer. Something home made. Something practical- even a box of nappies with a bow, or a jar of sudocream. Books. Wooden toys. (They're easier to clean.) Or toys relevent to her age. Before Christmas I posted a few links on my facebook basically going "hey, isn't this the coolest? I'd LOVE to get this for DD!" Nothing.

So I had an idea. You know when people get married, sometimes they have a poem, saying they've been together for a while and they have everything they need, so just give them cash or something? I need a poem like that.
Would it be a bit rude if I put them in my christmas cards for 2011 and sent them in october?

The best I could find are:

Diapers, bottles, clothes galore,
we have some but still need more.
If you could pitch-in to help with these,
The parents-to-be would sure be pleased.
With your donation, your name please don't tell,
it's just a little contribution to our wishing well.
~Author Unknown

I don't need bottles or clothes. And I'm not a parent to be. :P But I like the idea of saying "this is what we need, please pitch in."


As (Mother-to-be's name) due date is coming near,
We're inviting friends and family dear.
To choose a favorite story or fairy tale
That you would like Baby ________ to hear.
Instead of a card, please let (mother-to-be's name)look,
At your special choice of a book,
and then to Baby _________ she will read
With all the love a newborn will need.
So with a personal touch, please choose a book
And in it then your name do put.
It need not cost more than a card
Just pick a favorite, it shouldn't be hard.
anon.

I really like this one, and it's easy to modify for being for a birthday instead. I do like books as gifts... Maybe I should get everyone to chip in for a new bookcase? Our two are already full and double stacked.


Guess what happened
Moms having one more
That means there are things they need
Like diapers galore.

We’re having a party
To help them out
We’ll give them gifts
And surprise them with a shout

Just remember for a minute
This is the second time around
So forget the expensive gifts
There simpler things to be found.

Mom already has the crib
The car seat, and high chair
So brings things like bottles
Some bibs and a toy bear.

Most things they have,
But they need a few things
So let’s work together
And give them some blessings.



Anyone got any more? Any that are more along the lines of

I'm very well loved and my possessions are many,
but other little girls aren't so lucky
please consider a small donation on my behalf
so another little girl can feel some love.

I'm not a wordsmith.

[Juzz]

Hi,

In response to your question 'would it be rude...?', my opinion is yup - sorry! However i think it is ok to put it out there that no more stuffed toys are needed. I think your Facebook posts are a good idea - and I would think that if someone is looking for suggestions they would have used this info (or even asked you separately) but I kind of think the lack if success this bought you shows that some people just like to choose a gift themselves.

I am really fussy with clothes/toys for My DS and so far my DS has celebrated his birth, christening and first Christmas so has received so many gifts, and to be honest, a whole heap of it has been stuff that he/I will not use. However i dont think its fair for my fussiness to offend people who have been kind and thoughful enough to buy DS a gift for me to specify to them what that gift should be. So where I have been able to I have quietly exchanged things (without receipts) to be more to my taste - that why I am happy and others are non the wiser!

I also think it's a tad rude expecting others to chip in for bigger items that you want (eg bookcase). If you want it, buy it!

I think wishing wells are socially acceptable for weddings, but i dont think they are generally as accepted for things like birthdays/Christmas.

One suggestion I have is to ring these people and ask them what they would specifically like for Christmas, and hopefully they will reciprocate the question and you too can be specific without offending. I do this alot as I am all for buying others things they want or need (but I like it's on my terms, not the result of a 'poem' in a card) and most people then do say 'what does DS need?'