Best time to have a baby shower?

[ToNeverLand123]

I'm nearly 25 weeks pregnant and I've been thinking about baby shower dates. I was thinking between 34-36 weeks pregnant would be good. Is this to early, or late..? Also any ideas on unique baby shower ideas would be welcome.

I arranged a surprise baby shower for my best friend when she was 34 weeks.

Isn't it a bit odd to arrange your own??

I thought they only took place as either a surprise of if the maternal grandmother throws one on her daughter's behalf??

I'm with writer I'm afraid OP, I think it really is a bit 'grabby' and PFB to organise your own. I would be seriously put off if someone I knew invited me to their own shower, especially as they are relatively new to the UK still and not really part of our culture yet like they are in the US.

It is obviously traditional to have a surprise baby shower, But I really wanted to plan it. This baby also has a few complications. So I want to make everything perfect. I guess I have Protective mother syndrome!

What others said. It's not really the done thing to organise your own. And they are seen as very American - which is fine if you are of course!

Never is the best time. The far side of never. If someone insists on throwing you one, then I suppose you have to go along with it. But planning your own sounds grabby and a bit full of yourself.

Unless you are in the USA where it is traditional ...

NEVER they are tacky & grabby, even more so if you arrange your own

What tinlegs said.

Another vote for never - sorry....

Don't worry, you will get loads of pressies after the birth.

I agree with all above. Unless you are an American, living in the USA, there is never a good time to have a baby shower.

Yes another 'tradition' that has crept across the 'pond' along with proms.... Trick or treating etc.... Never plan your own....unless you are from Grabsville ??
Good luck with baby though
Ps maybe your friends are doing a suprise one!

Also a vote for never, especially if you are thinking of including a gift list as a couple of baby showers I have been to have done. I want to buy a present AFTER the baby is born to celebrate its arrival not before. Sorry!

Tonever is it because you want to celebrate the pregnancy in some way? I really think that if you were to go ahead with planning your own the only way to do it would be to say 'no gifts' on the invite.

I'll be honest, I have one DD and am pregnant with the second and it's the last thing I would want. I definitely wouldn't want to be organising something like this at 34 weeks pregnant when my ankles are rotund and I haven't slept properly for days. And gently, I would say that if you have been experiencing complications it might be best to wait until the baby arrives to do the big celebration. I really REALLY do say that gently and hope that everything goes smoothly for the rest of your pregnancy but extra stress of organising an 'event' might not be the best for you.

Thanks for all your input. I was thinking it to be more of a kids party, not revolving around me. It would be more a celebration.

Could you not just have that celebration after you have the baby?

I'm a bit confused Tonever then.. So NOT a baby shower?

You are fine to throw a party whenever you want/like but that's not what your OP indicated

I'm a bit confused Tonever then.. So NOT a baby shower?

You are fine to throw a party whenever you want/like but that's not what your OP indicated

I'm not really sure of the point of the party to be honest - think probably your guests would be equally bemused as o why you were having a do - is it for the baby/ celebrate a successful pregnancy (in which case I personally wouldn't until its over)/ for other kids/ family get together etc?

We organised an afternoon at the pub after DD arrived. I got to have a drink then, and friends got to actually meet her

Gah. It said first one hadn't posted. Blummin app.

A bit confused why it would be a kids party - it sounds like its your first! Or s it to give your existing kids a celebration before new dc? Which is nice.
I'm with the NEVER brigade - tacky, cheap, grabby, common and I think a healthy baby should be celebrated not a pregnancy. (Always seems a bit bizarre as not all pregnancies have happy endings ave seen it more than once in my family - so I am a bit sensitive to tempting fate)

But a last hurrah with girl friends is a nice idea just don't call it a baby shower!

And I do need to say that having a baby shower or party for your unborn child in no way bears on how protective a mother you are/ will be

Stop saying American American American, they're not just bloody American!! I'm Canadian and we have baby showers, too. If the op wants to do it it's up to her, she was only asking about timing!

I'm a little sad thinking I won't get to have a baby shower, because the only reason I had a bridal shower (couples shower, really) was because I went home to visit between our engagement and wedding and my mom threw it for us.

My sister had a baby shower in early October for her 21 nov due date, so probably was about 32 weeks? Her husband and best friend organised it together. It wasn't seen as 'grabby' either.

Call it a party instead of a shower if you're worried about people judging you. They shouldn't, but if you're worried don't call it a shower. People who love you will love the excuse to celebrate your future bundle of joy!

Wispaxmas - I think the point is that they are not part of UK culture like they are American, and as you point out, Canadian (and any other countries that hold these). So in the UK it WOULD be seen as grabby etc to organise a shower because we aren't used to them, and the majority of posters on here testify to. Obviously, in Canada it is clearly more socially acceptable to throw a shower and everyone 'gets' them.

I'd say never for the reasons above.
Why not wait until the baby is born for presents?

If it's a shower, then the guests shower the honouree with gifts. That's the whole point. And why it is grabby to host your own.

But hosting your own party (and calling it a party not a shower) is fine.

I'd say the best time for either a party or a shower is between 32 and 36 weeks.

Really dislike these new baby showers as I do think the main point is to receive gifts. Dsil had one - I ended up having to buy her a gift then, then another when baby was born then another at the christening.