To want to throw a baby shower?

[ProfCoxWouldGetIt]

My best friend is about 5 months pregnant, and I know that for the last 10 years it's all shes wanted from life.

I am over the moon for her and her DH, and wanted to host a baby shower for her.

I contacted a few of her friends and suggested it, and not one can be bothered to turn up, excuses range from "I'm ill" (I've not even discussed dates at this stage), "It's a long way to travel" and even "I didn't think people did that sort of thing anymore"

Now I don't expect everyone to drop their lives and come along, but I thought at least one other would be interested in celebrating this with her.

Firstly - am I right to be annoyed at the complete lack of interest in my friends long awaited and wished for pregnancy?

and Secondly - Should I plod along and try and arrange something anyway (basically be a nag) or should I just treat her to a nice lunch/ pregnancy friendly pamper day and a hamper of new bits for her new arrival?

Iscream, I didn't read the OP as this woman having been TTC for 10 years, just wanting a baby for 10 years. If it's truly all she's wanted from life for that time, perhaps that's why no-one wants to go to a baby shower for her - sounds like she has potential to be a terrible baby bore!!

I've been to a baby shower recently for a friend which was suggested by an American friend of ours: I don't think we'd have thought of doing it ourselves but it was a lovely afternoon.

Now I'm the one expecting DD so my friend is organising one for me. I do feel uncomfortable about people buying gifts before the baby is born, though, so have asked for small presents only (& in any case been given so many nearly new outfits I don't need many baby clothes!)

My rule would be, though, if you bought a gift to the baby shower, you shouldn't need to buy a 2nd present when baby arrives: no-one would expect 2 presents, surely?

Take her and her female relatives for afternoon tea somewhere nice and ask them to each bring a gift for the baby. It's a mini baby shower but more personal.

I have been to two baby showers (i refused to have one when i was pg) and both were really hard because we don't 'do' cheesy like the americans so it just felt a bit weird.

Gah babyshowers, playdates, halloween, proms - they just don't register in my brain Take her out for lunch or do something nice for just the two of you.

I agree about feeling a bit supersticious about a party until the baby is actually here.

How odd that someone would feel coy about accepting a gift for their baby whilst heavily pregnant with it when two weeks later, once the baby is born, they wouldn't.

I don't think people would think that was a football stuck up your jumper

Because Perriwinkle there is quite a bit of potential in that time for things to go badly wrong - I hope that no one espects 2 presents marshmollowpies

Agree with Pandemonia "I think that the lovely event is actually the safe arrival of her baby. Not a gathering well in advance that is clearly making people feel uncomfortable."