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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

What do you think about baby showers?

13 replies

wild · 13/08/2004 13:44

I have been invited to a 'baby shower' tomorrow for a friend who still has 7 weeks to go before her due date. What does anyone think about these dos? Maybe I'm just being old fashioned but to my mind there is nothing really to celebrate yet, I would have preferred to give baby presents when he/she is born. On the other hand, maybe it is good to have something for mum to help through the cumbersome last stages.

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Bibiboo · 13/08/2004 14:07

I think if it's a nice get together of friends to chat, eat, swap ideas and socialise before baby comes then it's great - but shouldn't it then be called a Mummy-shower?
If the baby's not even due for nearly 2 months, you can't buy practical gifts such as clothes in a particular size or colour unless the mother can tell you the sex and weight of baby in advence. Has she got a list of things she needs - maybe a few of you could club together and buy and big thing, then just a small gift when the baby's born. I see the problem if you go and buy something for baby now and then have to spend again when it's born.

beansprout · 13/08/2004 14:11

Isn't this an American idea that has been imported? I'm a bit old fashioned (and clearly tight) as I'm not sure why joyous events e.g. engagements, pregnancies, are increasingly celebrated with a big pile of presents. I really appreciate support and help but not sure about all the gifts.
God, I sound like such an old misery don't I?!

Tommy · 13/08/2004 14:16

There was a thread on this a few days ago I'll try and find it for you.
Also, why don't you buy a few necessities that maybe no-one else will think of - I gave my friend some muslins, toy ties for the pram and some of those things to keep socks together in the washing machine. I was given useful presents at my baby shower - bibs and so on. I think it's a nice way of getting together with some women friends before the birth - you don't have to buy a big present!
here

beansprout · 13/08/2004 14:19

Fair enough Tommy, sorry to be so miserable, it's actually a nice thing to have people help you with things you may not have thought of (says a panicking first timer!!)

catgirl · 13/08/2004 14:24

a present I gave a friend (who was having her first) was a box filled with stuff I wished had been bought for me or that I had found useful! papers kickers, camillosan, flannels, a bag of coffee for her dp, glucose tablets, a rear-view mirror for the car, can't think what else... wasn't a 'formal' babyshower though.

Flossam · 13/08/2004 19:43

I think there fine if arranged by a friend/family etc. A bit presumptious if not imo.

Ghosty · 14/08/2004 08:33

I had two baby showers when I was pg with DS and they were both great ...
The first was arranged by a group of my close girl friends (all the girls I lived with at Uni, my sister and my oldest school friend - 7 of them in total) and they clubbed together and bought me a couple of 'big' things ... a baby chair (40 quids worth)- one of those bouncy things and a baby gym ... both of which have been well used by DS and now by DD. We met up at my house and I did lunch for everyone.
The other was a surprise, arranged at work by one of the teachers at school. She arranged a tea party in the staff room on my last day before Mat. Leave and asked everyone to buy a little gift that cost no more than a fiver. She put everything in a big wicker basket and I opened them while we all had tea and cakes (that people brought). We got things for the baby like bibs and bootees, things for me like nipple cream and paper knickers, useful things like a bag of cotton wool balls and a packet of wipes and funny things like ear plugs for DH and a miniature bottle of whisky for him ...
It was a really lovely thing to do and I will always remember it ....

tex111 · 14/08/2004 09:22

In Texas we don't have many christenings (different religions and such) so the shower is the time to give presents and we usually just send flowers after the birth. I can understand it being a bit much here though when christening presents are often given as well.

The showers I've been to in the UK I usually do as the others have suggested and put together a little basket of neccessary items. Last time I bought one of those dishwasher bottle baskets and filled it with little things like Infacol, a bathtub thermometer, silicon nipple shields, etc. I think first time Moms especially appreciate that kind of gift as there's usually something in the basket they haven't even heard of before and ends up being a real life saver after the birth.

Something that was included in a basket that a friend gave me was a little squeezy bottle. The idea was to fill it with warm water and use it when I went to the loo in the days after giving birth. Very thoughtful. This particular friend also included a tube of Anusol! Obviously a very good friend.

shalom · 14/08/2004 21:55

hi tex111 this is nothing to do about baby showers but what part of texas do you live. i am going to dallas and i was wondering about the good plaves to vist with a 4 yr old and a 9 months and also the good places to buy good clothes (not to expensive) thanks

tex111 · 15/08/2004 10:13

Hi Shalom, I grew up in Dallas but I haven't spent much time there in the last ten years. They do have a great zoo and I know it was renovated fairly recently and is supposed to be excellent. I can ask a friend for some other ideas. There are lots of theme parks but they're really for older kids.

As for shopping I think you'll find that the exchange rate makes everything much less expensive. Even Baby Gap, especially the sales rack that they always have in the back, is pretty reasonable. The Galleria is the big shopping centre in Dallas and it's great for a day out but not really the place for bargains. For really inexpensive but decent quality clothes I would look for Target or Walmart. They are huge discount chains. We always stock up on basics like T-shirts, cotton shorts, burp cloths, baby grows, etc there.

Hope you have a great time in Dallas. Where are you staying?

hana · 16/08/2004 11:20

if you go to a baby shower that IS the gift - it's not necessary to then buy another one one the baby is born. Books are a nice idea - never the wrong size! or a nice picture frame

tex111 · 16/08/2004 11:35

I went to a shower in the States once and the theme was 'My favorite children's book' and everyone brought a copy of their favorite book from childhood and signed the inside covers for the new baby. Then they put them all in a basket with a few contemporary children's books. It was a lovely idea.

Ameriscot2004 · 16/08/2004 12:18

I can understand why baby showers are a big thing in the US, because there, it seems that you need a formal reason (with invitations) to have a girlie get-together. Here, it's different. If you want to have a party, then have one!

I had a shower with my first and it was good fun.

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