First, I hate this term. But it seems to be commonly accepted vernacular.
Wife and I (well you know, HER) are having our first in early April. We run in a few differing crowds, the main two of which are A) Upper-middle income (or higher) yuppy'ish types with McMansions and fancy cars (though we don't have fancy cars, or a McMansion), or B) rather frugal, more "salt of the earth" people. Not sure we're exactly B either, but we're definitely at worst frugal compared to our "A" type friends, and hold our own with our "B" types.
The letters I used having nothing to do with the importance or closeness of friends.
But "baby bling" has kind of come up a bit recently. Our "A" crowd friends of course take it to varying extremes. If not pretty fancy jewelry (stuff that cost more than engagement rings of our "B" type friends), then other stuff that is a chunk of change. Our "B" crowd friends either don't do this, or are way more realistic about it.
Any trends in this? Is it basically assumed for all but the most frugal/cheap of couples? If not a super fancy ring, or diamond earrings etc (and I think it is clear by now I'm not really inclined in going that route), what would make more sense? Something more heartfelt and personal? Obviously not baby-related.
For reference, we're very "functional" gift-oriented types. I get ties when I need them, got a suitcase once, she's gotten kitchen stuff she desperately wanted, a nice DSLR (that was 2 bdays and 1 Xmas worth of gifts).
Wife and I (well you know, HER) are having our first in early April. We run in a few differing crowds, the main two of which are A) Upper-middle income (or higher) yuppy'ish types with McMansions and fancy cars (though we don't have fancy cars, or a McMansion), or B) rather frugal, more "salt of the earth" people. Not sure we're exactly B either, but we're definitely at worst frugal compared to our "A" type friends, and hold our own with our "B" types.
The letters I used having nothing to do with the importance or closeness of friends.
But "baby bling" has kind of come up a bit recently. Our "A" crowd friends of course take it to varying extremes. If not pretty fancy jewelry (stuff that cost more than engagement rings of our "B" type friends), then other stuff that is a chunk of change. Our "B" crowd friends either don't do this, or are way more realistic about it.
Any trends in this? Is it basically assumed for all but the most frugal/cheap of couples? If not a super fancy ring, or diamond earrings etc (and I think it is clear by now I'm not really inclined in going that route), what would make more sense? Something more heartfelt and personal? Obviously not baby-related.
For reference, we're very "functional" gift-oriented types. I get ties when I need them, got a suitcase once, she's gotten kitchen stuff she desperately wanted, a nice DSLR (that was 2 bdays and 1 Xmas worth of gifts).