Hello! I've a question about Baby Showers.

[BrianCoxHasScaryHair]

I'm not pg. I like Baby Showers. If you don't, I understand why and respect that but this isn't the thread for you

So, advice please (thought it was better here than in 'Chat')

My best friend is due end of May, I asked her if I could throw her a Shower as I've been to a few in the past and they are lovely. She was thrilled and we've booked a date and I have a list of family and close friends to invite.

Firstly, it will incorporate a Body Shop at Home pamper party (yes, get your purses out but also - would you like a foot rub while you buy?)

I want to have a 'theme' for presents/tokens but not sure 'what'. I need ideas!

My SIL threw her sister a shower a few weeks ago and the guests were asked to bring their favourite book from childhood as a gift. Such a lovely idea as the baby now has a library - everything from cardboard books to things they can read as they get older.

So, I can't steal that idea as my friend was with me at that party!

Details of friend - she is having DS2, DS1 is not yet 3, they have kept EVERYTHING so need NOTHING. She bakes cakes as a hobby and DH cooks amazing food, so food gifts are a bit meh.

What would you love as a gift?

HELP!!!!!!! (Oh and to add a bit more pressure, I'm her DS1's godmum and they've already asked me to be same for DS2)

Thank you.

bumping (sorry)

The library thing is lovely!!
My SIL went to a baby shower the other day and they played a game where they had bowls of baby food and had to guess what they were. Yuk!

My friends threw me shower(after my twins were born as they arrived so early!) and they all bought me something to help me survive the first year - think there was a limit of £5 or something like that - I got loads of handcream, eyecream, chocolate etc which was lovely. I felt uncomfortable with the idea of a shower because a lot of people had already bought presents for my DTs and I didn't want them to feel they had to buy something else so it was a good way round it.

are you actually going to try an get people to buy stuff there???

i have to be ghonest and say i would hate that. i would feel like i'd been tricked to come to a selling party under the guise of it being a baby shower and I would feel pressured to buy stuff.

sorry, but i think it's a really bad idea.
pampering fine, trying to sell stuff at your friends baby shower not so good.

I think the book idea is actually really lovely and I don't think it matters that you were both at a party where someone else did it... just say you thought it was such a great idea you wanted to do it for her too?

Hi my mum and sister threw mine last Saturday. We did the book presents. But also played lots of games like name that baby animal and who sang and what is the next line in this song containing the word baby/babe. Have a friend who also has everything already and we chipped in to get her a spa package her DH got a survival pack. Nose nd ear plugs Hayes manual for baby six pack etc. Hope this helps.

I love love love the book idea. I have been unsure whether to have a shower or not. I like the idea but am uncomfortable making people feel like they have to buy presents, & wouldn't want anyone close to me not coming because they are short of money. I met my MIL yesterday who insisted I have one, presents to her are really important & there's always pressure around her birthday/Christmas etc to really treat her. I'm the opposite & although presents are nice, I'd rather organise it so it's more about catching up with everyone close to me. I'm also not keen on it being just for the girls, would like to include my Hubby & our male friends too.

I'm not much help with ideas but if your friend also enjoyed the book one then do it it's lovely!

Thanks for replies :)

In relation to the Body Shop party, myself and my group of friends have had a few over the past few years and love them. All guests will know that this will be a part of the evening - they don't have to buy anything. You get to test/sniff/try the products though, it's not hard sell and it's just a nice relaxing evening. They do a raffle, so you can spend £1 and get something really nice.

Nobody is 'expected' to buy, heavens! How awful would that be.

The people who are coming, are family and close friends and those I've spoken to are very excited and have requested a look at the catalogue for themselves and asked what present to bring for mum-to-be. I don't like the idea of 'big' presents that cost lots, I love the idea of a gift that means something or will help in some way.

It's just so hard to decide what to suggest to the guests, when my friend has everything ready for DS2 [exasperated with friend's organisation]

Like the idea of presents for a home-spa (don't think asking for donations to an actual spa day would go down too well) Friend is also really into poetry, so I may ask if everyone could bring their favourite childhood poem?

Oh it's hard!!

Thanks again.

A favourite childhood poem is a lovely idea! I've also played 'Guess to Baby' with old photos of everyone at the shower, which is fun.

For my (surprise) baby shower my friends all chipped in together and bought me a more expensive change bag than I would have bought myself, and also a Kindle because they are much easier to read when holding a baby. Is there anything larger that your friend wouldn't buy for herself that you could all chip in and treat her too?