Push Presents: Tacky Or Trendy?
Should you demand another $5000-$10,000 engagement ring or a cocktail ring for having a baby?
“I pushed out your baby and now I want diamonds!”

I kept hearing ladies describe certain jewelry to me as a “Push Present”. It’s been flowing in and out of conversations I have had with women who have an engagement ring times two. Sometimes, I will talk with ladies who have two engagement rings, yet the ‘other’ ring is on the right hand or on another finger of the left hand.
Recently, Arlene S. told me that she was pregnant with her second child and she was back at the jewelers to look for another “Push Present”. She already had a 1.5 Ct engagement ring and her 1 Ct. diamond cocktail ‘push present’ from giving birth to her first child.
I get it now, Arlene.
A push present (also known as a “push gift” or “baby bauble”) is a present a new father gives a new mother when she gives birth to their child. In practice the present may be given before or after the birth, or even in the delivery room. The giving of push presents has grown in the United States in recent years. Via
I had to write a post about this because I was so shocked by it. I had never heard of it.
But, not that it’s all out in the open, what do you think of it?
Is it trendy or tacky?
What does etiquette suggest?
What does Seriously McMillan say about it?
I say tacky! What I find tacky about the whole thing is that it seems like such a materialistic view to have during such an important time in the lives of a new mom and dad.
New parents have so much to think of. Is the baby healthy? Will the baby sleep through the night? There is so much to consider, it seems a bit selfish and greedy to request such a gift.
There is a fine line. It can be wholesome when it’s really something within the realm of the couple, yet it can be tacky when people start demanding. It’s one thing to be a diva and another to be a gold digger…and it’s even worse to be so self-absorbed that you are both.
Does that mean I am totally against it? Nope. I think it’s an interesting idea and it should be considered a present if a man and woman talk about buying such a gift. Talk it over. What does he say? Are you going to buy your own? Is he buying a push present or baby bauble other than a charm, pendant or a pair of P.J.’s and herbal body wash?
I think push gifts or presents, even using the words, puts a demeaning value on becoming a mother. It belittles pregnancy and the experience of giving birth to your child to nothing more than a womb-for-hire. Ewww. Tacky!
Read about the difference between a gift and present here!
Another way to look at it seems like payment or reward for having a baby. I think with your new bundle of joy, one should be overjoyed enough. Right?
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What do you have to do?
Write a blog post about a time that you have had an experience with a rude person. What did you learn from it and how did it make you a better person?
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Thank You Manners: 8 Reasons To Send A Thank You Card
This whole topic of writing letters and saying thank you can take up about a years worth of blogging time. When I write about it, I feel the need to be detailed so there are no mistakes simply because there doesn’t have to be a mistake.
Seriously, when I say I love sending cards, I mean it. Sending someone a card means so much for you and the person receiving the card. Why? It’s more like, why not. What do you have to lose by showing the other person, in your own handwriting, that you felt the need to take time to show some consideration for their consideration. It’s a win-win.
- After A Job Interview: It has become a standard of modern culture to send a thank you card after you have had an interview for a job. It used to make you stand out. Now, it’s not the most clever gesture, but it is worth doing. Doing so displays your ability to be civil, grateful and thoughtful. Even if you are not hired for the job, they still took their time out to interview you.
- Receiving A Resume: At some jobs, I was in charge of hiring staff. If I received an emailed or mailed resume, I responded with a thank you note in kind. Employers, take note!
- After Receiving A Gift: Wedding, birthday, bridal and the like. There are standard cards that you can send. Again, someone went out of their way to make sure you had a happy experience. Let them know they are groovy for having done so.
- Anytime: Is there ever a wrong time to tell someone how you feel about them and how they have affected your life in a positive way?
- After Receiving Great Service: There are times where I have had such a fine experience at a restaurant, hotel or other establishment that I felt I had no choice but to share it. I obviously would refer my friends, but more importantly, I have sent thank you cards to the company simply thanking them (and the staff person in particular) for treating me like a person and not just another set of deep (or not so deep) pockets.
- After An Apology: They’ve made a sincere apology. Now, the ball is in your court. Sending a thank you letter after an apology just shows that you’re able to move forward.
- To Someone Special: If we randomly sent the special people in our lives a card that says thank you, wouldn’t we be more appreciative about being appreciated?
- After A Gathering: Baby showers, bridal showers, dinner parties and the like. You know the drill. Sending a thank you card simply says that you appreciate that you were invited to spend time in the kind company of others.
There are hundreds of other reasons to say thank you. Can you think of others?
Truly,
Seriously
Valentines Day Etiquette: A Crash Course For Him
I would think you have this section of life pretty much covered. I mean, what guy doesn’t know how to make a girls Valentines day memorable. You’ve been working t making Valentines Day special since you met little Tina Thompson in the second grade. It didn’t matter that she had one tooth missing. You heart went pitter-patter when you saved that special Valentines Day card for her and made a sneaky effort to leave it on her school desk. You watched from afar as she opened the card and smiled.
Click here for the Valentines Day Etiquette: A Crash Course For HER
But, of course you didn’t leave you name on the card. And to this day she didn’t know it was you who was in love with her.
Well, guys. Put that bashful stuff away and let loose. Don’t be afraid of the ladies.
Here are some fun and dashing etiquette tips to leave the ladies in your life with visions of you being the Prince Charming on a steed (or in a car) that you and I secretly know you are.
- All The Single Guys: I said this to the ladies, as well. If you are celebrating Valentines Day without a squeeze, you can still enjoy the day by celebrating with the loved ones you do have. Sitting around feeling bad is not good for anyone. Enjoy and spend time with the people (or pets) you love.
- Got A Squeeze?: If you happen to have a main squeeze, you’ll more than likely want to spend the day with her. Go with your own flow. You can remain true to yourself and your personality and still have a fun Valentines Day. Make it just as fun for you as it will be for her. Give a good effort in the planning area.
- What A Girl Wants?: Are you concerned about what the lady in your life will want? You can always stick with the classics. Roses, jewelry, card…lingerie (Ahem). Or you can opt for creating a unique experience with her. Cook a meal, take her on a mini shopping spree…go for a something original. What can you come up with? Trust me. Ladies love a creative man.
- Chivalry Rules: Guys, if you’re forgetting to open the doors and take a lady’s coat during the rest of the year, you need to brush up on being chivalrous right now. You can do that with a previous piece I wrote about chivalry. Read it here. Here’s a tip, apply them to daily life. Take a step to treat her like the princess she is, Prince Charming.
- Grubby Guys Need Not Apply: Shave it. Clean it. Cut it. Style it. I am talking about that grubby hair and beard or goatee. Also, your clothing for that matter. Take some time to look nice and smell nice for your Valentine even if you are spending time at home. Girls love that. I know I do. (Don’t forget the breath mint!)
- Valentines Day Extras: Do something for your lady that you would probably think is ordinary and dumb, but to a lady, it would mean the world. These could be the ’Cherry on the top’ items to an already delicious Valentines Day . Maybe clearing the table and doing the dishes or vacuuming the floor. Brushing her hair. Doing the laundry. Washing HER car. Putting the toilet seat down. Do a little extra today. She’ll notice, especially if you keep it up.
- Go Classy With The Classics: If you are going to stick to the classic standards of jewelry, roses, and chocolate. Give her the best. Actually, give her better than the best. Handcrafted jewelry from a jewelry artisan. Locally grown roses or flowers. My favorite is Cacao- Which is a rich, dark chocolate. This is so good it’s even hard to describe how good it is. Less percentage of cacao means the less of a bitter chocolate it will be. I like bitter chocolate so I prefer 100% Cacao!
- Do Guys Buy Dinner?: On Valentines Day, they guy should pay, but there are exceptions and those exceptions are that you could go dutch or the lady could pay. There are special circumstances. First, if you set up the date then you are responsible for paying.. This is an anytime rule of thumb. If she set up the dinner date, she is actually responsible for paying, but it is a more than chivalrous act to pay on ANY Valentines Day date. Dining etiquette tips here.
- Love Your Creative Lady: You may have a date that resembles more of a scavenger hunt than a Valentines Day date. It doesn’t matter. Whatever she gives, show your sincere appreciation. Even if the gift is a little off your beaten path.
- Alpha Male Paradise: Let that shining mans-man and sexy ladies man come out. If you love your lady the way you tell the world you do, make sure she knows she is the belle of the ball. She is your princess. Take care of her and make sure she feels comfortable and loved. Be a dapper and charming gentleman like James Bond. He always had the ladies swoon. He got the women with his sense of class and high style. He didn’t even break a sweat. Oh, James.
Yours truly,
Seriously
2. Carrots, Carats and Karats: The weight of a diamond is measured via the carat. So, be careful. Women sometimes fall into this trap of trading carats for bragging rights and not what the ring actually looks like on her finger. So, when she says she wants at least a carat, go with what your budget allows. Sometimes, some 3/4 carat diamond can look and feel larger than some 1 carat diamonds. Even she might be surprised. By the way, Karats, with a K, is a unit of measurement for the purity of gold. For example: 24K. Karats have nothing to do with diamonds, carats do, although they are sometimes interchangeable with their spelling.




























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