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.

Flossie If you are going to import this US custom, you need also to import the gift-giving etiquette. In the US, only one gift is expected. If you go to a shower and give a gift, you are not expected to give another.

If it's a party you want, organise a lovely get-together for when baby is here for everyone to meet him/her.

Don't do it. Bad taste.

I am in the uk and I had a prayer shower instead. Got a few friends round to pray that my labour goes well and that the baby arrives safely. I specifically said no presents though. It was lovely and I feel totally relaxed about the birth now which is great.

I don't see the harm in a gathering before you become a mother and everything changes. But I would just do that with a no presents rule.

Never, unless you're in the US.

Have a celebratory get together once the baby has arrived.
That was the most bizarre backtrack on an original post I have ever seen.

When I say kids party I mean it would revolved around games and animals.. ect. Unlike the baby showers I've seen where its all about the pregnant women. So it would kind of be a cross of the two. A celebration of life but with all the fun of a kids party.
And yes this is my first child. But my all my siblings, cousins and friends children will be there.
I want to have it mainly because we don't know how long were going to have with him. So I wanted to have a party and celebrate while I can.

Do the complications mean you may require to have an earlier labour? If so obviously factor that into impossible dates - so really only you can make the decision because you know the situation.

Games and animals, what does that entail?

Possible not impossible.

Sorry....

The 'games' at showers are almost universally awful - guess the baby food and the like.

My feeling on the matter (from bitter experience) is that pregnancy does not always equal baby so it is a bit of a risk to party and have a house full of gear. Mind you, I do accept that I am a bit old fashioned in that respect

Baby showers are all about the pregnant woman - it is to shower her with gifts of things she did not need before having a baby.

I think you need to bill your gathering as a party, and give enough information that guests understand what it is you are inviting them to.

It depends, Its the babies heart which is the problem. So if he gets stressed I could get induced early. But my doctor thinks I'll take it to full term.
& Party games and 'petting corner'.

Who cares if its a US tradition or from whichever other counrty, if you fancy a baby shower then you should have one. You are not doing it to be "traditional" but because you like the sound it! Being pregnant is an exciting time and its a lovely opportunity to share the excitement of expecting your baby with your closest friends and your family. People love buying little baby gifts and its so much fun opening your gifts with all your friends and everybody gets to be part of this happy time! How can the person having the shower be "grabby" what is she trying to grap, a pair of baby socks of 2 pounds or a babygrow costing a fiver? you go ahead and enjoy your baby shower OP!

A baby shower involved getting presents for baby - would you want stacks of things if not sure what's happening?

Perhaps it's just me but I wanted very little baby things until the last moment and bought most of it after baby was born.

If you are not wanting presents then don't call it a baby shower. Just have a party.

I had a baby shower. I don't see the problem. This meant I had the much needed (financially) clothes, bits and bobs, instead of being given the exact same gift a few weeks after birth or whatever, so I had paid a lot of money already for them.

It also means you can sort out the clothes and work out how to do this or that and make sure everything is sorted on that side before the baby is born. It's practical, I think. Mine was a surprise, but a happy and useful surprise.

Just because it's American doesn't mean it can't come over here We have a lot of foreign traditions, and I think baby showers are nice ones (although when I first heard about them, I was confused as I thought it was weird to celebrate washing a kid).

A petting corner? Like a goat at your house?

I would wait until after baby and just har a little afternoon tea type thing where everyone can come and meet him?

A petting corner? Like a goat at your house?

I would wait until after baby and just har a little afternoon tea type thing where everyone can come and meet him?

I don't think anyone would mind the traditional version coming over here. It's the grabby versions, which would be astonishingly rude in US too, that are the problem.

OP, because the baby shower subject can get quite heated and because lots of people only read the opening post which makes no mention of the difficult situation you are facing. You are likely to get a lot of posts continuing the theme of grabby.
Your updates make the situation very different indeed from what was originally posted, but they might get missed as lots of people don't always read them.
I would hate for this to get distressing for you.
I think given the circumstances nobody can advise you on the best time, unless you wait until he arrives.
Best of luck with everything.

Hiya Hunni,
I agree that arranging your own shower is in England a bit taboo however the circumstances you mentioned i believe negate the fact that many see it as grabby you aren't sure how long you will have with baby once born i can see were you are coming from and why you want as many good memories as possible don't listen to those who say no many of them wont actually have read your posts apart from the first and friends and family who know the circumstances will be understanding
If your doctors worry about stress ask them what their thoughts are and get family and friends who you invite to help set up to take any stress away
I like the idea of petting corner/zoo many people have pets who are unusual or a pony etc and children go mad for animals or a chance to ride but don't put too much pressure on yourself
Also i think you asked about unusual ideas for gifts? how about the hand and footprint kits not cost much to buy but a lovely memory a friends little one did one about 5 now and still wont believe they were ever that small xxx

Ok. So because of the complications in the pregnancy, I can kind of see why you would want to raise a toast to the pregnancy as a 'got this far' thing. But I'm totally bemused by the petting corner (like small farm animals?) and as someone pointed out, very sadly not all pregnancies make it to term. As there is a problem with the baby's heart honestly, you should look after both of you and not do anything stressful at the moment. Planning a party where you will be liaising with suppliers (petting corner etc) etc can be very stressful, not to mention costly just at the point of need!

I really can understand that feeling of desperately wanting the baby to arrive and wanting everyone to 'get it' with you. But I just urge you to keep it in perspective. Perhaps an afternoon of tea and cakes with your best friends might be easier on both you and baby?

OP on another thread you said that you re 15 weeks pregnant, on here 25.. I assume a typo somewhere along the way?

Gosh OP was asking about a good time to do one, not people's oppinions on them.

I don't think 34 weeks is too early I think it is about right. My best friend is throwing me a shower I am really excited. I have two DC already and have never had one before or been to one for that matter. I cannot wait to have all my girlfriends over for a fun evening.

I will only be about 29 weeks when I have my shower. My friend decided on the date based on the fact I have prem babies, plus not wanting it to be too close to Christmas. Good luck with your baby shower and the birth of your baby.