Would you knit any more gifts?

No thanks is out of order.

But no, won't be knitting any more gifts as the recipients have no idea how much time and skill it takes, and how expensive good wool is. Even for my own close family, who put everything in washing machine and dryer- so they are only worn couple of times. Shame, but it is what it is.

I know both my daughters loved having hand knitted cardigans as they said they were easier to put on new barns and much softer. They loved bootees as well and hand knitted baby shawls more snuggly.

I purchased and posted a gift to my friends son when his baby was born and she thanked me on their behalf .At Xmas I did the same but no acknowledgment so thought I had perhaps got their address wrong so did not comment .When the baby was a year old another gift was posted having first checked the address was right ..it was ..and again no acknowledgement.So that is me done with this ungracious couple

No definitely not,..
How ungrateful, if I were you I’d knit for someone who’d appreciate it, or a charity shop etc
Hand knitted clothes are lovely, and would be really appreciated in the right hands, or someone with some manners..
enjoy your knitting x

Do you honestly want a 'thank you' for a card?

Where does it stop? It seems as though in some cases the thought behind sending things to others has been subsumed into an obligation, with the sender taking the 'power'.

Sending cards is one of those things that people did as a way of saying 'happy birthday' or whatever to people they couldn't see on the day. Usually they would get one in return on their own birthday, but now there are posts on FB and texts etc (whether or not we choose to use those methods) so the fashion has gone out of date. It's really not personal.

We have relations who thank you for nothing I have stopped sending.
Don't knit anymore for them phone the local hospital and ask if they need bonnets or bootees for the newborns in incubators a lot do.
I have also attended a wedding of DH brothers child at great expense hundreds of miles away needing overnight accommodation and we weren't even going to be on a photograph until BIL stepped in and asked for one. We never saw the photos.
I know this is not what is being discussed but I am afraid is yet another sign of the times when people especially close relations are not thanked for giving or attending.
One of mine does right away the other is tardy and often has to be reminded. the explanation given they are too busy so were we but we knew what was good manners.

Your sister obviously felt bad so I imagine you and she would both expect to give and get thanks for presents and see not getting one as an insult and a rejection. But this may not be the intention or meaning her grandchildren are trying to convey who are of a different generation. We have no way of knowing really whether people like and are grateful for presents even if they thank us. It is disappointing but you could try not to feel too hurt and let it go as resentment is such an unpleasant feeling to have and could come between you and your sister. You were generous with your presents, you could be generous over this too. I wouldn’t knit them anything more at the moment. Babies get a lot of things when they are new born and grow out of them so quickly. There may be all sorts of opportunities to knit things in the future.

To add - I have bought knitted baby wear for many of my nieces and they absolutely love them and send lovely messages of thanks.

Not really about whether parents want hand-knitted garments or not but more about the lack of an acknowledgement or appreciation of gift(s) given.As for being busy/sleep-deprived - nonsense - just an excuse for peoples' lack of manners.As a single-parent myself for many years - I appreciate that new-born babies are hard work.However,I always acknowledged gifts as I received them.People today have a far wider range of communication methods - from texting/emailing/WhatsApp etc - alongside the more traditional means.So (in my opinion) it's just down to lack to manners.For many years I sent a card/money to a nephew on his birthday and at Christmas - without ever receiving a 'Thank you'.Last year,I sent him a selection box (he's 15).If the pandemic has taught me anything - life is precious - spend your time on those who love/appreciate you.

Unfortunately I am not a knitter and my daughter
loves hand knits. She has
been buying these on Etsy at what I consider
to be very high prices, since she became pregnant. She is a very
modern girl and surprised me by buying
knitted rompers and matinee jackets. These
were considered old fashioned when I had her.

Most young parents nowdays do not want hand knitted items. One of the reasons for this appears to be that it makes it look like you are poor and can't afford baby clothes. Strange I know! There are lots of lovely fluffy baby wools so a blanket is a good idea.

I think people need to ask themselves why they are sending gifts. If it is because they want the recipients to enjoy them, or because they want to send them, then they should go ahead. If they want to be 'appreciated' and thanked, and will hold a grudge if this doesn't happen, however, then maybe they should hold back.

Like it or not (and on the whole I don't like it) many younger people don't feel the same obligation to thank others for gifts as we did. It's not personal, and it seems to me that when someone asks if it is worth bothering with family members who don't see things the way they do, then the answer is in the question, really.

Things have changed since we were young. People now marry and have children after years of living together, and many have far more than was average when we started out and were glad of presents of toasters and tea towels. They often don't need gifts of money either. Similarly, young parents often have two salaries and like to have fashionable items for their babies that weren't available in the past. They may also be very busy, with a new baby and a job, so don't have time to hand wash knitted items.

I know that's harsh, and I know that it feels lovely to have our time and care acknowledged when we make something for others. I knit, and know how much time and effort it takes. There is also the fact that many of us will have fond memories of older relations who made things for us, or gave us little gifts that we did appreciate, and it's natural for us to want to be thought of in the same affectionate way by our own families.

Nevertheless, I don't think it's reasonable to expect a new generation to behave the way we did on pain of being cut off. I feel the same when I see posts about people getting really upset over bits of card. I completely acknowledge their sadness, but it seems such a shame to let something like that come between them and their family members, particularly when the young people won't have any idea what they've done wrong.

It’s just rude
My son and his wife have had to be reminded about saying thank you for wedding and baby gifts!
Even if it’s a simple text message that’s better than nothing

You are not being precious, no. However, whereas I understand that you went through a lot of trouble and expense and time to knit the things, you sent them out of the goodness of your heart... with no strings attached. They are rude not to say thank you, but please don't be offended. There are more important things in life. Ask at the preemie section of your hospital whether they want any of those hats to keep babies' heads warm. If only I had someone to knit for me!

I don’t mean to offend but I don’t think many people like hand made clothes anymore, I know I don’t and I’m in my 60s
However I would always thank the giver of any present even if I didn’t like it, it’s rude not to

Do young couples actually want hand knitted clothes anyway?

Antonia I realised when DGD was a baby that yes, DIL did love handknitted baby clothes so I started knitting again after years. However, now the DGC are older they don't want hand knits any more.
Some young parents love them, others don't. I can't think that a blanket would go amiss but you never know.

They are always very prompt with thank yous as well, but I notice that many aren't these days. I got a thank you for a wedding gift for a friend (money as requested) about 10 months later!
Someone else I sent a cheque to with a thank you didn't even cash it until I asked her DF if she had ever received it.

Perhaps knitting for charity is the way to go if it's not appreciated by family.

I don’t think knitted items for babies are the thing nowadays my daughter keeps receiving knitted jumpers for her children from my aunt but she hasn’t told her as she doesnt want to hurt her feelings. My other daughter is terrible at thanking anyone for gifts I keep reminding her she doesn’t mean to forget she is just doesn’t think she drives me mad but she is the loveliest person you could meet just forgetful

My MIL spent over £100 on lovely baby clothes, Oshkosh, and posted it to her new great granddaughter.
As she didn't even get an acknowledgement she never sent them anything else. Her niece told her the parcel had arrived.
I used to sent Xmas presents to all 14 children in my family (nieces nephews) and only one family ever said thanks so I don't bother anymore. I just buy for my 3 DGC and 3 DC.
I wouldn't bother anymore OP. No point if they don't even say thanks

I would imagine they are pretty busy with the baby.
If it gave you pleasure to do the knitting then think of that.
The special care baby units are always asking for knitted hats etc
You know then that they are wanted

Along the same lines, I stopped buying birthday and Christmas presents for my nephew (he is 27 now) a couple of years ago as I never got any thanks at all - not a text/call/card, nothing.

I still send cards but he never sends me one so I don't feel guilty at all about not sending presents.

I would expect them to send you a thank you note. It's lazy just to text, although some find it acceptable. Easy to buy thankyou cards. Write a few lines of thanks and put in post.

My grandchildren and friend's children always appreciated jumpers and cardigans when they were older, say 2 plus. Parents of newborn babies really don't need clothes that need care! so many clothes available nowadays that are easy to put on, take off, wash and dry.

Agree about thank you note at the momment but lack of thank you for wedding present 5 years ago is really rude.

I was always too worried about mess and wash damage to use given knits 'for real'. I only put them on if the giver was visiting. More bother than joy IMHO. Don't think about your knits, ask them about how they are getting on. - Sorry this is not the answer you wanted.

I have always given Christmas and Birthday presents to my step-grandchildren as I wanted them to feel as included as my grandchildren as they were growing up, but at 19 and 21 the last few gifts weren't even acknowledged with a text to say "got it - thanks" and we haven't had any contact with them for nearly two years. I've resolved to only give them a gift if their birthdays/christmas co-incide with a family get together as I refuse to become this faceless person that just puts money into a bank account a couple of times a year. Am I being harsh?

Thank you notes, card or even letters are of a time gone by I feel now. Not just for new baby but Christmas, birthdays, christenings etc.
My step daughter, hubby and their children never send them. In fact I would be happy with just a phone call. I cannot stop sending them gifts for family peace but I feel like it.