topic Re: Question about Baby Shower in Community Chat

Question about Baby Shower

luvdoodles — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 10:45:46 GMT

My daughter is expecting a baby boy on Feb 8th. So excited. Just wondering how far in advance should the shower be held. I haven't been to one in ages. Also are those silly games they used to play still necessary. I hope not. Thanks for your advice.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

PINKdogWOOD — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 11:10:14 GMT

Like you, I know nothing about baby showers, probably I my lifetime I've been to 2 or 3 and those were 30-4 years ago. But if I were to hose one, rule #1 - NO games!!!! At least my rule if I were the hostess.

I'd have the shower a good month prior to the baby's arrival. The last month or so I'm betting the mom to be would love to have the last of calmness in her life.

I'd create a list of things she may already have or received so as to not duplicate the important larger items. You may want to slip this into the invites so guests know as well.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

AuntG — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 11:11:12 GMT

Maybe two months in advance, and I think most people would appreciate it if the shower moves along with just a simple game. At the last shower I went to, they had baby pictures up of a variety of people and you wrote down who they were. It didn't take long because they asked people to look at the pictures when they got there so it was just a matter of giving out the answers and prizes. For example, they had pictures of the Olsen twins, Princess Charlotte, Shirley Temple.....and the mom and dad to be were up there too.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

milliegrace — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 11:13:37 GMT

I think a month or two before the due date is fine. That's what we've always gone with. Games aren't necessary but they are still fun. I like baby showers so have a great time with yours and a big Congratulations to you and your daughter!

Re: Question about Baby Shower

chrystaltree — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 12:23:44 GMT

A month or two before the due date is customary. Like moder bridal showers, there are no hard and fast rules for baby showers. Other than good food, a gorgeous cake and lots of fun and laughs.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

Nataliesgramma — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 12:34:34 GMT

I had a Baby Shower for my daughter 4 yrs ago and we had it a month and a half before the due date.

I don't like games either. It was in May, so we had 8" white daisy plants wrapped in pink foil and tied with pink tulle bows as centerpieces. we had everyone fill out their cards when they arrived and we called names out to take them home as prizes. The guests seemed to like that idea. I would do a tulip or daffodil bulb plant for a Jan party.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

PamfromCT — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 13:21:42 GMT

We had a baby shower when my DIL was expecting their first baby. It got quite elaborate, as her mom wanted to invite a lot of people. So we had it in a restaurant, which turned out great. It was a Sunday brunch.

Like everything today, showers can get more elaborate. Most moms-to-be register in advance at a store like Babies-R-Us. It's very helpful to all to avoid getting so many duplicate gifts. And for more expensive things, several people can get together for the gift. So much is needed for one tiny baby!

We didn't have any games at all, but we did have some door prizes. A good time was had by all.

Is this your first grandbaby? Our first is a boy (now 7), followed by a girl (2&1/2). Congratulations to you! They are such a joy.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

queendiva — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 13:35:47 GMT

Congrats!

As the baby is due in early February, I think the best time to schedule the shower would be the first weekend in December, unless you must avoid the first night of Hanukkah, which would be Sunday the 6th.

BTW: how do people feel about Mom/Grandma hosting the baby shower? Is there a friend, sister, SIL, cousin who could host it instead?

Re: Question about Baby Shower

CANDLEQUEEN — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 13:45:19 GMT

When my daughter and her husband were having their 1st baby 2 1/2 years ago, both myself and his mother hosted the shower, and since they were due around Christmas time, we had a late October shower, we played a few fun games, but mostly it was good food, gorgeous cake, and gift opening, I asked my daughter about the games since it was a fairly big shower, so we only played 3 quick ones that were really fun!!!!!!I went online and googled Baby Shower Games to find unique,fun games that were different and everyone said they loved the games!!!!!!!

Re: Question about Baby Shower

staciesmom — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 13:58:33 GMT

My niece was due in February a couple of years ago, and her shower was held the first week of December to avoid conflicting with the holidays. It was a very laid back affair with no games played. We had refreshments and she opened her gifts. A few years before, my other niece was the guest of honor at a baby shower, and at her request, the were no games or gift opening, simply a very unstructured party where we ate and drank and socialized. I think now there are no "rules" when it comes to showers. My 87 year old mother was less than thrilled with the non-traditional shower, as she still clings to the "must do things the way they've always been done" theory, but I firmly told her that things have changed and she might as well enjoy the party, and she did!

Re: Question about Baby Shower

beckyb1012 — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 14:15:21 GMT

My daughter-in-law had her's last July and sweet Gwen was born six weeks later. We played two different games and had a ball. Some showers do nothing but play games. Two were perfect. Not to mention the food while we played. Just do what she wants and have a ball.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

sunshine45 — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 14:35:25 GMT

i like having a couple of games at baby showers.....everyone seems to enjoy them and no one is forced to participate. there was a game where everyone had a list of animals and then you had to put the name of the baby animal next to it......some of them were hard! whoever had the most correct won the prize.

i like when the mom to be is registered at places like babies r us or burlington coat factory. it makes it so much easier to buy when you know what they want or need.

the last one i went to someone had set up a diaper station. everyone was to take a diaper and write some well wishes or something funny for the baby on the diaper.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

Libbylady — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 15:22:29 GMT

A new baby in the family! How exciting for you! I have 5 grands, but it doesn't get old! At the age where life seems to fly by at sonic speed, nothing seems to take FOREVER like waiting for a grandbaby!

I've been to quite a few showers and some do games, and some don't. I think a lot depends on the age of most of the guests. If the majority are young, I'd suggest a few games otherwise they all sit there with their phones in their laps hoping someone will text them. "Small talk and party conversation" has become a lost art. Anyway, it is a good way to break the ice and provide some door prizes.

You didn't ask, but I don't think baby or wedding showers should be hosted by the grandmothers. It looks like a tacky gift grab. If you want to pay the tab for the party, that's fine, but keep that to yourself. Find a relative or friend to host the party for you. Some showers I've been to are held at a restaurant's private room, and you provide the cake. It feels special but nobody has to do the work, and games aren't needed!

Re: Question about Baby Shower

luvdoodles — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 16:12:39 GMT

Yes, her best friend is hosting it with me. She lives in NY so it makes things a little more difficult. She comes home often though. It is my first biological grandchild. I have two step- grandsons that I love to death. She is going to register at Babys R Us to avoid duplicates. I was thinking December also, but it's such a busy time for everyone. We are thinking of renting a room at a restaurant, so probably should book it soon because of all the Christmas parties that will be coming up. Thanks for your advice.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

luvdoodles — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 16:19:06 GMT

I will google baby shower games, we were thinking of doing a gift basket and have the girls drop their names into a basket when they arrives. I will see what's on google. Thanks for the idea.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

Lila Belle — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 16:20:53 GMT

@Libbylady wrote:
A new baby in the family! How exciting for you! I have 5 grands, but it doesn't get old! At the age where life seems to fly by at sonic speed, nothing seems to take FOREVER like waiting for a grandbaby!

I've been to quite a few showers and some do games, and some don't. I think a lot depends on the age of most of the guests. If the majority are young, I'd suggest a few games otherwise they all sit there with their phones in their laps hoping someone will text them. "Small talk and party conversation" has become a lost art. Anyway, it is a good way to break the ice and provide some door prizes.

You didn't ask, but I don't think baby or wedding showers should be hosted by the grandmothers. It looks like a tacky gift grab. If you want to pay the tab for the party, that's fine, but keep that to yourself. Find a relative or friend to host the party for you. Some showers I've been to are held at a restaurant's private room, and you provide the cake. It feels special but nobody has to do the work, and games aren't needed!

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To be honest, all showers and birthday parties are gift grabs. Just a joyous ocassion to have a party and welome a new life or spouse or another year !

I don't think it really matters who hosts a shower nowadays . It may be that a parent or grandparent or close relative has enough space to accomodate everyone comfortably.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

brii — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 16:24:53 GMT

My mom hosted my baby shower. It was a great party. She loved planning and throwing it. I don't see anything wrong with that.

Baby Showers are held one or two months before the baby's arrival.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

RedTop — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 18:18:05 GMT

When I was pregnant over 35 years ago, my mom, grandmother, and aunt thought exactly as Staciesmom's mother, in that this is the way things have always been done, and this is the way we/you are going to do it. Well, they were wrong, because I refused to have a shower for either of my babies, period! My husband and I had been married several years, we had very little debt, and I was able to be a stay at home mom. We are also very basic, conservative people, and remained that way as far as buying for our babies. I didn't buy a diaper bag, and never owned a stroller!

Re: Question about Baby Shower

terriebear — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 21:25:14 GMT

I always go to Emily Post for manners questions. Here is what is proper to do, and I quote...

Timing the Party

In an effort to beat the clock, showers are usually given four to six weeks before the baby's due date. Parents who receive gifts in advance of the birth have the advantage of knowing what additional items they'll need to buy or borrow. However, showers can also wait until a few weeks after the birth. In fact, some expectant couples prefer to defer receiving gifts until after the baby's arrival.

Invitations

Invitations are sent out three weeks before the shower. Store-bought fill-ins come in a wide variety of designs and are widely available, as are invitations that can be designed online or on your computer. However creative your invitation, don't forget the essentials: the mother's (or parents') names(s), the shower's date, time and location, and a request to RSVP. Gift information is never listed on the invitation itself., but it's fine to mention "The nursery is blue and green," or, "Jenna's expecting a girl." The host should be prepared to give gift suggestions and nowadays it's acceptable to include baby registry information on a separate enclosure.

As far as who gives the baby shower, I was surprised at her answer... again I quote...

Baby Showers: Who Hosts?

Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, or coworkers of the mother-to-be hosted baby showers. Because gifts are central to showers, hosting by a member of the honoree's (or husband's) immediate family appear self-serving.

Re: Question about Baby Shower

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 15:38:29 GMT

I attended a baby shower in May for a family member. Mom was due in July. They played several games but they were games you did before the shower started, like a word jumble and other stuff like that. When the shower began, the first thing they did was run through the answers to the questions for the games and then it was done.

Then it was food, opening gifts and leave. LOL