Baby Showers

[chloe55]

I know this is traditionally an American thing but I want to celebrate my pregnancy with a baby shower. Has anyone else thrown/had a babyshower? What is the baby shower etiquette e.g. should you buy guests little pressies? Who should organise it? Should you put food on? When is the best time to throw one?

I'm American, and was SO glad to see the back of that silly 'tradition'.

It's organised by someone else, not the pregnant person. And pressies are de rigeur. Food and nibbles are provided.

Usually thrown on a Sat. or Sun. afternoon around 1PM.

Some involve playing stupid games.

I think they are tasteless and people will just think you are greedy for presents!

Arrange an 'alternative hen night' instead to mark the end of your 'freedom' - a nice day out at a spa with some friends, or an evening at a nice restaurant.

I have a couple of very close friends that have gone a bit baby mad with me being the first in our 'group' to have fallen pregnant and they suggested that I should have a baby party of sorts or a nursery painting party so first thing I thought of was a shower but I like the sound of an 'alternative hen night'!

I love the idea - watching those American baby/birth programs with happily married couples, massive beautiful homes with immaculate nurseries all ready, loving, large families and caring communities all coming together at the mansion for a wonderful bbq, children playing, little loving speeches - ahhh, makes me misty eyed now thinking of all those perfect little lives out there - no, really it does
If you want a party - in a way, I wish I had the confidence to have done this - but house is tiny, not many family/friends to invite etc. certainly no one to do it for me!
My sil had one and we all had to take a baby photo of ourselves for a guess the baby game which was actually corny but fun.We were all asked to bring a poem for the baby to put into a memories book which was lovely. She asked for no gifts as she was a little superstitious about it but liked the idea of a book. I thought it was a lovely idea and meant everyone knew where they stood - just a party, no gifts till after the baby was born and a great excuse for a family get together. She and her DH organised it. Never called a baby shower, just a party.

I couldn't agree more, MP. Smacks of the materialism, greed and attention-seeking that made me sick and made me strive to get the hell out of the country for good. Barf!

Now a party - complete with booze - is a much better option.

Love your idea of a sort of alternative hen night!

I like your idea too Basketcase and to state no pressie but more heartfelt words to keep as a momentum will prove that the party is as a celabration/ meeting of all friends and family and not greed thing.

Just realised I am such a bad speller! Maybe somebody should buy me a dictionary instead!

I'm off the booze expectin - much to my dismay, and the fags, and some foodstuffs blah blah bl*dy blah. Guess I'll just have to spend another night watching my friends get pssed............think I'm going off this party idea

See I've put expectin not expatin - god where the hell has my brain gone!!!!!!!!!