Why does everyone buy clothes for the baby when gifting?

We had enough clothes to last us the year. Have only really started buying clothes now at 11 months because we didn't get many 9-12m ones and very few 12-18m. His birthday is coming up so will probably get more clothes which means I can spend my money other things for him lol. I guess it depends on what kind of things you were given.

In my opinion the best gift is food (ideally meals!) or pjs for those early days when you’re just living in them.

Clothes are a nightmare 🤦🏻‍♀️

At least you get nice stuff from White Company, I just ended up with a load of hideously gendered clothes from Primark and second hand muslin cloths that had been picked up at a charity shop! 👀

I know what you mean! I’m the same but with toys. We had so many rainbow coloured baby toys for Christmas to the point we had to buy a toy box for a baby not even born yet! We’ve also got so many clothes to the point we have nowhere to physically put them mostly in larger sizes, and I still have my baby shower next week so will no doubt get more clothes then x

I loved all the clothes I got! All so cute was sad when my little girl grew out of them but then I had another little girl and she got to wear them too!

100%!! I asked my mum to get me PJs and loungewear which she did which was amazing as I'm constantly living in them now!

I totally agree! I spent many hours making a practical registry for my baby and no one bought anything from it, all I got was clothes and it was so much he ended up growing out of it so fast! A lot of wasn’t my style either, or super impractical like shoes for a newborn lol.
Then I had to buy all the practical stuff myself, when I really wanted to pick out the cute clothes for my own baby 😭

oof 2nd hand Muslins not ideal haha. Yeah like the clothes from white company are obviously really nice I just find it wasteful to spend lots of money on baby clothes generally as they barely get any wear before they grow out of them and it hurts my heart lol.

Yeah I know what you mean, it can feel wasteful. There are lots of baby banks though, just donate and feel good for helping out others in need 🙂

Because it’s a small token and doesn’t cost that much that can be given after the baby is born.Plus it’s nice to actually buy something rather than receiving gift vouchers.
My parents brought us the cot and my mil the bouncer. We brought the rest while bil handed over their car seats and bundle of clothes from my nephew plus blankets. There wasn’t really anything we needed apart from a pram and steriliser both expensive items that we needed before birth.
Although my sil brought some beautiful dresses however they weren’t very practical but that’s only something you known after changing a few nappies!

I agree

We got a lot of clothes, we are lucky that our little one is tiny and clothes seem to last a while

Couldn’t feel more opposite 😂 from all the clothes we’ve been given (first and second hand and stuff we’ve gift exchanged for different items/ sizes) my wee guy will be one before I need to buy him anything. Result!

Yep, I got so many clothes, and most ended up on vinted or the charity shops!!!

no i was annoyed too tbh. we’re STILL getting baby clothes as gifts and she’s two weeks old. i was more upset that we got so many clothes it took away the fun for me to shop for her i was so excited for.

Not alone. I have 3 girls and currently pregnant with a boy. And since I know people always buy clothes I've listed on the invite the sizes we don't need at all. Hoping people will listen so I don't have to worry about returning stuff. I'm the same way and try buying everything 2nd hand especially clothes!

I get it and agree, I am the one Dressing him so I will chose the clothes I want to put him in. Also most of what people buy is cute but not practical and you have to put the clothes over his head which he hates. Also had people buy clothes with no mits on them that I don't want to use.

Buying clothes is a little selfish, its not your baby to dress up and of course Im going to buy clothes for my child!?!

I have told friends of mine without children that when I they have a baby I will get them whatever they want food, money, I will wait for them to name it.

I planned to get clothes from newborn to 12-18 and I told people if they were to get anything, it had to be in that size. Every person has their designated size to buy but I’ve started telling people not to get anymore because I’m drowning especially since a lot of it is not to my taste and I want to be able to buy her outfits myself!

I’ve now told people I need muslin cloths, bibs and socks if they feel the need to give us more stuff (because for some reason we haven’t got any socks for her?) or help us stock up on nappies and wipes, or sensitive bath products.

I’ve not bought my own car seat / push chair, baby bath, baby bouncer or swing because these were all gifted (mainly from family members friends who getting rid of them but some were new)

I don’t mine getting clothes. I am like more the better. I give some to my son’s dad if I get a lot. I am one I get my stuff new and some from second hand store but I don’t really mind getting clothes. His birthday is a month before Christmas so he gets alot of clothes for his birthday and then Christmas. Then myself, his dad or his grandparents get him more.

Now that my LO is going into 6-9 month stuff, I am super grateful for any clothes as they run them so fast. Initially, I was kinda feeling the same, but now I'm asking for clothes for LO for even my birthday. I'd love to buy everything myself, but it feels sooo expensive for a relatively short time each time. I prefer clothes (thankfully, any clothes we get are to my taste!!) than toys which take up way more space and he doesn't really needs loads of atm! If there is anything I don't like I donate it x

You sound just like me 🤣 I felt exactly the same when I was pregnant. The truth is I actually ended up finding it quite useful. I thought I had enough stuff but by the time we were getting to 6-9 months he was wearing a lot of stuff he was gifted as buying him new clothes had slipped down my priorities list now I was actually caring for him. Luckily most of it was nice and to my taste.
What began to frustrate me was people dumping their hand me downs on me. My friends used to ask "do you want this?/can I drop these off?" But other people used to he like "I've left a bin bag of stuff with so and so for you" and we'd have no room anywhere for it. I hate the feeling of not being grateful but 😮‍💨
He is 2 in March and I have about 4 bin bags worth of clothes that need to go but I am struggling with parting with them as I don't want it to be wasted. I heard charity shops sell stuff to rag banks if they have too much (not sure if it's true). All his stuff is in great condition and I couldn't bear the thought 🤣

Agree! I purposefully didn’t disclose my baby girl’s gender for this reason. Myself and my husband are not fans of the typical bright and bubblegum pink for our little girl so we didn’t want this for the baby but this is all we have got since the baby was born. I agree with a few comments above too that it takes away the fun of you actually being able to pick clothes for “your” own baby and dress them how you want, I don’t think it’s fair. I think people asking what you need is more polite, or vouchers so that we can go out and get things of our choosing. My family have asked me what we need/want for our baby girl and I send them things they can get to save returns and exchanges. My in laws and that side of the family just buy what they want. Makes it more hassle for me taking things back to the shops so it would be more helpful if people asked or just got vouchers.

I feel the same! We have enough clothes! But I think that people can’t resist the little outfits, they look so cute.

One friend bought me a mama care pack which was really nice.

X

Because they’re poor. Don’t ask young people, you have to ask older and more established ppl lol

what does age have to do with it. That is just rude. I know older parents that also want clothes…

if you’re young and/or in your 20s, and you invite all your friends to the baby shower, they’re going to gift you clothes, cute little toys, stuffed animals, bibs, and blankets.
The more mature family and associates who have more experience typically purchase the stroller, the changing table, the bottle pack, the car seat, and they load you up with diapers of all sizes (not just newborn)
💚

I had family at my shower and they got all different sizes and they purchased clothes and baby equipment also. So that is a hypocrite statement

I shouldn’t have used the word poor, I didn’t mean to offend you. I apologize 💚
It was used in a joking way

The White Company are quite good at taking back gifted items without a receipt. I received quite a few of the same babygrows & blankets from there so took them back and exchanged for a gift card so I can purchase something else I need at a later date.

I think it’s because clothes are fun to buy for babies, and people like to see them in something they bought. I don’t mind it at all, I was very touched people wanted to buy her something.
What I did do though, and what may be an idea for you, is take some things back to the shop and exchange for bigger sizes, as I ended up with too much in size 0-3m. That way you can make sure your baby gets a chance to actually wear the clothes more than once.