Thoughts on Baby Showers?

[Imgoingonanadventure]

It may just be me but I find the concept of baby showers a bit grabby... however I do like the idea of a last ‘hoorah’ of sorts, as in maybe a get together for both males and females - friends and family on both sides before we have our first (due in August and VERY excited and terrified!!)

So I just wondered what people thought? What is the common conception of baby showers (in the UK) and would it be weird to have a final party before we officially become parents? MIL thought a ‘meet the newborn’ party might be a good idea but I’m not sure how I feel about that, and no idea how I will feel post birth!

I can pretty much guarantee that my newborns would have screamed the place down if I had a "meet the newborn party." I didn't have a shower as I think they are mildly ridiculous. Don't feel obligated but do whatever you want to do.

A pre baby spa day would be my pick!

Haha good point, I hadn’t thought of that! Was more thinking that regardless of any exhaustion my mind would be on the baby and not enjoying myself, so that idea is definitely out!!

Spa day... now why didn’t I think of that!!

My friend had afternoon tea , my mum did me a shower with games and cake my nan baked 4 different cakes .., I love that woman ❤️❤️❤️ It wasn’t about gifts it was about chilling with friends and family eating too much and sharing stories with other mums and getting advice... I got gifts I won’t lie but it wasn’t expected x

I don't understand people who plan their own baby shower.. I thinks it's something the friends of mum to be should plan for her as a nice thing bit of spoiling before baby arrives.

congratulations by the way. Enjoy whatever you decide to do.

What a lovely idea. A celebration of the before mum and dad life in anticipation of a happy parenthood and it is about you and your family and friends not just you and the baby.

And definitely no to a meet the baby party

" It wasn’t about gifts"

Then it wasn't really a shower (which is a specific party to shower the honouree with gifts)

If you just want a party, don't call it a shower

Thanks Summer!!

Afternoon tea is a nice idea! That’s pretty much exactly what I was hoping for, as I’m being fairly realistic in knowing we won’t have much opportunity to spend time with friends like that once the baby is here!

We moved last November and are now 260 miles from most of my family and friends (and the majority of people I would invite to a baby shower; I am not integrated enough in my new town to consider inviting anyone I’m getting to know round here and I don’t work so have no colleagues I’d invite. For all those reasons I won’t be having a shower which I feel a little sad about but it just isn’t logistically possible!!

Ok good, I think the general consensus is with me here! I love the idea of a celebration to say goodbye to life as we know it (ha!) and celebrate with all of our closest friends and fam! Thanks ladies

And NO to the meet the newborn party.... thank god!!

Awful things. "Please bring me gifts and fuss over me" parties.
You're having a baby. We all were babies. It's not unusual. My absolute pet hate. Crass and grabby.

I'm afraid I dislike baby showers. Weird party games, guessing when the baby will be born, how much they'll weigh, guess the flavour melted chocolate in nappies. Its all a bit off putting for me and just feels like showing off. Plus, if I want to get someone who is having a baby I gift, I'll do it of my own accord instead of feeling pressured.
I think an afternoon tea or meal out with family is a nicer idea. Just as an opportunity for you to spend time together before things get a bit hectic.

You don't have to have weird party games etc. It couid be a very restrained and elegant afternoon tea. (And a non-shower party couid have the weird games).

The only thing that you definitely have at a shower are the gifts.

I don't know about everyone else, but my circle of friends and family love to celebrate .. it could really be anything.. they love getting together for a party. It's nice to have these special occasions to mark important things & a baby shower would be a lovely memory for you to have, of your nearest and dearest in one room.

It doesn't have to be a big deal. Mine was a group of 12 ladies for an afternoon tea party, no emphasis on gifts and no silly games. My OH and the 'lads' went to the pub for an important footie match, when they came back our tea party became an evening BBQ and house party. Really simple. About 30 people at that point and just a celebration really. It was fun and I have some nice photos to look back on. You can make it whatever you want.

I'm 29 weeks and my friends are talking about organising a shower. I've said they can go ahead as they will organise it all. I think it's a bit of fun, everyone in my circle have had one and yes we do guess the sex, date of birth etc. Ultimately it's a chance to eat lots of cake.

Both my side of the family and my SIL have been insisting on throwing us a baby shower. We have given in and are having a shower as an excuse to get together with our closest friends and family for a Sunday roast in a nice gastropub.
There will be around 30 of us, guys and girls and we've not asked for gifts per se, but classic children's books to start our little one's library off.

To me this is a compromise on what the family wanted to do and something that's more us.

All I've done is give the names to my SIL and she's doing the rest. I think it's nice that people care enough to want to celebrate the life you're bringing into this world.

It's my baby shower next Sunday on Mother's Day (was planned ages ago before realising it was Mother's Day) and I am sooo excited to have a day with all my friends and family (girls only) to celebrate me soon becoming a mum!!

It's not about gifts at all, Iv missed out on a lot of events these past 7 months so I'm really looking forward to having a day for me before baby is born then it's all about him/her!

I totally understand why some people would hate the idea but it's a popular thing where I am and we all love any excuse for a get together x

Hate them, my friends threw me one (at my own house so I ended up hosting) about a week before I gave birth to my twins and I was so tired and uncomfortable I asked everyone to please leave about an hour in and then I curled up and cried at how tired I was. I ended up in hospital the next day and there I stayed until they were ready to come home!

This time round I've pre warned everyone that I don't want one and instead have asked if everyone fancies a little lunch before due date.

I love going to baby showers and I loved my baby shower.

I just love seeing the mum to be so happy and getting showered with love and attention. Once the baby is born, mums often feel a bit forgotten about as their entire universe revolves around the baby so I personally thinks it's lovely to spoil them and show them that they matter, as well as the baby.

I know baby showers are meant to be all about the baby but when throwing them for friends, I try and make them about the mum too.

People feel obliged to give gifts if they go to any party. You know that!

I'm with the people have babies every day posters. I hate baby showers. Just ask your friends to meet for lunch if you want to see them.

Spa day... now why didn’t I think of that!! because you're pregnant so all you can do is sit in the pool. No sauna, steam room, jacuzzi or most massages for you. Go for afternoon tea and feed the baby lots of cake.

I don't like them because I hate being centre of attention like that. We're actually leaving the country before our baby is born so friends are throwing DH and I a baby shower/leaving party combo. This I like the idea of. One last chance to hang out with all our friends and catch up with people we haven't seen for a while etc. Plus I know the consensus on here is that women do all the work in pregnancy, but my DH has been an absolute rockstar sorting out all my doctor's appointments, driving me to them (we only have one car and no public transport), waiting around, booking our departure flights and accommodation, doing all our life admin etc. I feel he deserves to be a part of the celebration as much as I do. I feel a bit lazy sometimes just doing the incubating (it's been a blissfully easy pregnancy so far....).

I don’t like them at all personally, I feel that it’s strange to celebrate a baby that hasn’t arrived safely yet, maybe that’s a little superstitious but just my opinion. Also I’m in Ireland and there’s usually a party when the baby is baptised so people give a gift then and/or when the baby is born. Baby showers have now appeared and you feel obligated to give another gift so I’ve found myself buying 2-3 gifts for the one baby! Ridiculous! Definitely won’t be having one myself, I have all friends and family warned not to plan one, but I do like the idea of going for afternoon tea or something with my friends before baby arrives.