Anyone having a Baby Shower?

[X5OT]

Was just curious to see if any of you guys are having / have had a baby shower. We are planning to have one when I am about 37 weeks - just a great opportunity to get family and friends together None of my friends have had baby showers, nor have I ever been to one, so thought I'd get some ideas from you guys! Not planning on having a girls only party, so will be inviting friends, other halves and children.

Would love to hear your experiences (good and bad!) of baby showers you've either been to or hosted, and any advice you've got! Was planning on sending out invites in about 6 weeks time, thereby giving people about 7 weeks notice and time to RSVP. Then just have to hope the baby doesn't arrive more than 3 weeks early!!!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Nicola]

I went to one when I lived in the States, of course out there it's the done thing, it's a huge celebration and people make a big fuss about it. We played a few games, had a buffett lunch etc, people brought the most amazing cards and gifts, really enjoyed it, people were asked to address an envelope to themselves when they arrived so that Mom could write the Thank You cards (for the pressies etc) after the party/birth (depending on time) without having to fuss around trying to find addresses etc - good idea really. With their baby showers though that is their main celebration, they might have the child christened or hold a naming celebration day for them but presents/cards are not expected then where as in the UK we don't do the baby shower thus cards and gifts are usually recieved at the christening party if that makes sense almost like it's one or the other, I certinally wouldn't expect a baby gift at a shower and another one at a Christening. Depends on what your planning on doing I suppose.

Thought about having one here but it's not really done much, people are not as aware of them and to be honest I've only got one married friend, the rest are young, free, single (or new boyfriends etc) and really they are career gals, there not into the whole marriage/family thing yet and didn't think they could relate to it all really, they kindly ask how I'm doing but refer to it as a "condition" and if I start waffling they will change the topic - they don't do it out of spite were just in different worlds now. I'm sure if you have other married/TTC or pregnant friends you'd have a whole different reaction to it though.

Sorry that's rather a long reply

 

[Lilypad]

i helped plan my best mates baby shower we had an afternoon tea party.
everyone brought gifts and we also played some games which everyone enjoyed.
the games we played were:
*guessing baby photo to their owner
*nappy sniffing test (really fun!) get some cheap nappies and number them on the front, inside add a contents ie: choclate spead, peanut butter,orange juice, ect, then everybody has to sniff the contents and guess what it is! the winning got a prize
*guess baby weight had to pay £1 to play. person nearest won the money

i might have one just an excuse to have a party and i haven't seen alot of my family while being preg so would be nice to see them all

hope this helps

 

[X5OT]

Thanks for the replies

Lots of our friends have had babies in the past 6 months, but none have had a baby shower. Do you know if it is usual to just invite adults or do you include their children as well? I have no problem whatsoever with all the babies coming along, but not sure I want lots of 3 year olds upwards running around the house. Also much less relaxing for their parents!

Thanks for the ideas of the games - definitely sounds like fun!

 

[Nicola]

I'd personally say it's your party invite who you want there.
The one I went to was adults only but mum's with small babies might apprecite them being allowed to come also, it's hard trying to find sitters etc and mum's dont often like leaving newborns etc - I'd turn down an invitation if I was invited somewhere say this September and it was adults only, no chance I'd leave my 2 month baby for the sake of a party. You can specify Mums & babies type thing on the invites and just speak to those with older toddlers and say your ok with the babies but would rather their 3 year old had a morning in the nursery type thing - or as I've seen at many a posh party, have a seperate room laid out for the older ones and hire childcare for the afternoon type thing, there are plenty of agencies that hire help for around the £8 per hour marker, what's paying an additional £16/£22 for 2-3 hours of real fun with friends who aren't feeling put out that their precious energectic 3 year old bean can't come with them type thing - worth it in my opinion.