Baby showers?

[Angel786]

First baby only or would you have a shower for all babies?

I think you have some sort of event or baby shower with each child personally. Some think its greedy, well the flip could be said that its a tad cheap to worry about it IMO. Our circle has done more "meet and greet" parties for each new child after they are born. This way everyone can meet the baby, congratulate the parents etc and yes, its customary to provide a gift. I would never feel resentful that I had to get 2 gifts (gasp!) because a freind had a second child and invited me to share in the joy and excitment.

I like that "sip and see" idea, sounds like a good way to get everyone round to see the baby at the same time withou the endless round of visitors in the eary days when you just want to catch up on some sleep!

Oh they're fine. Lovely get together with mates before baby comes. I don't understand the vitriol. It's more about that then presents I think.
People love to rain on an american idea.

Showers are fine, as long as they're done properly as showers (not just hijacking the name onto a different event).

Shower is short for "shower with gifts", and so is the only party where bringing a present is mandatory. That is why the host should never be the honouree (otherwise grabby) - ideally it would be best friend, or possibly sister. Written lists are tacky, but hostess can (indeed should) discreetly steer choices of what people get (to avoid duplication). As showers are typically small events, this isn't onerous (like it might be for a wedding).

It's also a kind of rite of passage and occurs only for the first baby (or first marriage).

Finally - showers are not the only type of party possible! Just as you can mark impending nuptials with a hen party rather than a wedding shower, there have always been all sorts of other celebrations you can have icw the arrival of any baby. Just don't use the name "shower" unless the honouree actually wants to be showered in gifts!

I know of someone who arranged their own shower and sent out lists with the invitations. People actually went.

Sounds greedy and grasping to arrange one. A few friends round after the baby is born is nice.

Am I the only person who turned down an invite to her own? I am still traumatised after going to one where they had invited a scrapbook crafty lady and we all HAD to sit down and decorate photo frames for the mum to be. I am in my thirties ffs.

In fairness though, my Aussie friends do it differently. Everyone brings one thing, baby lotion, cream, shampoo etc. No big presents, no competition, not even wrapped, just a chance to stock up on the essentials. I like this idea as it is actually useful. I mean, how bloody many "I love my daddy" etc babygrows does any poor kid need???

khaliwali: I wouldn't say that was "different" - it's exactly what a traditional shower would be like!

I'm counting the days til my mum throws mine. I literally cannot wait. I want to have a reason to put a nice frock on, to put a bit of slap on, and stop whinging about back ache/sore boobs/feeling sick still at 6months/not being able to walk properly etc. I want my friends to tell me I look wonderful regardless of how hormonal I am. I want to play silly games and let my hair down for once, rather than panic something awful will happen to this baby like it did the last one. I want to eat pretty coloured cupcakes and drink pink lemonade. And hey ho, if people want to 'shower' me with pressies, thats fine too. I cant remember the last time someone thought of ME instead of the baby. I intend to act like a complete princess about the whole thing, and have kind of taken over with planning it slightly (I dont care about etiquette, I want a vintage tea party and if I have to plan it to get it just right, so be it). I may be spoilt and greedy and all those other words us Brits, but I'm too uncomfortable to bloomin well care!
Didnt have a shower with DS1, I had a break down during my pregnancy instead (much more fun!) and was knocked out on meds most of the time, so I'm making up for it this time. So I'm breaking all the rules - and I love it!!!

Sheepling: hope you have a blast!

No-one's begrudging anyone a party of the style they choose. But if you call it a shower, then bringing gifts is obligatory. As that doesn't sound like your intention, perhaps you could call it something else?

My friends threw me a surprise one. I was adamant I didnt want one because a lot of my friends were skint and I didn't want them to feel pressured into buying gifts. It was really lovely though. They'd facebooked my mum and my aunties and my mil and sil, and everyone turned up with cakes and sandwiches. Was a really sweet thing to do.

Sheepling that sounds wonderful and I hope it's exactly what you want. :)

My mum does wash and peel them, but she has perspective, when I was making something with smoe button mushrooms and couldn't be bothered to peel them all she said - just throw a bit of extra black pepper in to disguise any dirt :o

But I guess that will be far too profound for any of you
:o

Brilliant Stealth - this is the baby shower thread not the mushroom thread

I wonder if people now think your mum washes and peels babies?

Made me chuckle!

oh damn so my pretence at being on a higher plane than the rest of you didn't work then?

I've never heard of anyone I know having a baby shower, and they were just a US thing (I find the idea of a party where the whole purpose is to give presents a bit bleurgh).

But if I did have one I would peel it first and add a little black pepper, definitely.

and thought they were just a US thing

I'd have no showers at all. They're tacky and grabby. But in N. America they are only for a first baby and they are not organised by the mum to be.

Wash and peek, love it!

Lola, when I said unfair I don't mean about gifts, more just a get together and celebration of the pending life. Personally gifts are not important, I'd rather a charity donation if people ask.

My sis in law and best friend organised mine and volunteered to do so, would never do my own! I love any excuse for a get together with friends. The sip and see is a lovely idea too.

I hate the idea of baby showers, terribly greedy IMO.

It's all a bit too much like counting your chickens before they hatch for me, too.