Can I throw my own baby shower??

[Brenny]

Just a question.....

is it possible to throw your own baby shower or does it have to be someone else doing it for you? I have friends/co workers plus family that don't know eachother and I would like them all there for the shower. So really, I could either invite them all myself and do everything or maybe give the list of names and numbers to someone? I don't have a *best friend* that can do it all. Any ideas??? :confused:

or maybe I'm being selfish for wanting a baby shower when maybe no one was planning to give me one??

[petster]

Hi Brenny

I think it's fine to throw your own baby shower. I was going to do that but a couple of friends intervened in the end, and took over the finer points of organising it. But I was adamant I didn't want any games or fuss - we had a high tea at a lovely teahouse - all my idea... Go for it - then it will be exactly what you want...
Cheers!

[alicesmum]

hi there
i like the idea of going to a teahouse. very nice.
here's one other idea if you want to throw one at your own house.

make the purpose of it to create something for your baby's wall!!! here's what i did: go to spotlight, crazy clarks and other crafty places and buy all kinds of bits and pieces (stickers, wooden shapes, glitter glue, stars, material, etc) and, most importantly, about sixteen or twenty 10x10/10x12cm squares of coloured felt. then everyone (yes, even guys if they're there!) gets a square of felt and has to make a patch for your baby's wall-hanging. mine turned out beautifully and is hanging on DDs wall and she loves looking at it. everyone was very concerned they wouldn't kjnow what to do, but they even shocked themselves (some got competeitive, hogging the glitter glue etc. even 40 yo men!! :) . i gave them a list of themes, such as:

under the sea
animals
outer space
circus
teddies
music
gardens

and they all chose a different theme. less creative guests just did simple designs like glue numbers next to shapes (i.e., 1 shape + the #1, 2 diff shapes + #2, three shapes + # 3) or made a clowns face or a scene from space just gluing things on. I did one as well.

once done, you sew them altogether and glue the whole hanging onto a backing and hang! everyone loves coming over and seeing their patch!!! All up I think it cost about $50-60, but you could do it for less. Was a brilliant day too as it got people interacting - I had the same problem of people who didn't know each other - and made it very casual and fun. none of those silly games which some people find awkward. (BTW - a few people were too nervous to do one alone and so did it in pairs!).

I can email you a photo of mine if you like this idea and give you a feel for the end result.

ps. to make it easier on me, i also told ppl to bring a plate in leiu of a gift (but got a few gifts anyway).

PM me if you want a photo!...rachel

[our little treasures]

I think it would be great if you threw yourself a baby shower, these days hardly anyone gets a baby shower due to I think really the change in our society. Everyones too busy or doesn't know your friends family etc. Who knows you might end up with someone taking over.
Good luck and tell us how it went

[MrsMiggins]

Hi Brenny!

You know, I was thinking exactly the same thing!!

I have moved around a lot, different states & territories, almost my whole adult life. The problem with this is that I have a tonne of very dear friends, but scattered all throughout Australia! Right now, I live on the Sunshine Caost QLD & work about an hour or so away in Brisbane. Most of my friends that I see regularly are in Brisbane - plus all my workmates.

I was thinking that I really, really would like a baby shower, but didn't really feel comfortable asking someone to do it for me (I don't have any sisters) and wasn't sure how to go about co-ordinating work friends & social friends if I had someone else do it for me. I was also worried that everyone would just assume that someone else would organise it for me & I'd miss out all together!

Turns out, I have had a couple of offers from both workmates & friends, so I have arranged with them that they can organise it between them. The work friend will organise everyone I would like to invite from work & arrange the transport for everyone up to my place & my other friend can arrange invites to all my friends outside of work & offer to help with transport for them. They are both very friendly, sociable, easy-going people so will work well together!

I'm not due til October, so we're just trying to organise dates at the moment (the next big hurdle!)

Good luck! :D

Fiona

[BlueGin]

alicesmum, I think your idea sounds so wonderful! I saw it posted some time ago, and have already decided (without even being pregnant! :p ) that I definitely want to do that! Most of the people I would invite would freak at some of the games usually held (they would work well with me and my school girlf friends, but not with men and family so much).
I was really excited to see the idea and if you had time I would love for you to email me a picture!

I can imagine the competativeness raging amongst my lot! :rolleyes:

[Brenny]

Thanks for the ideas! But when should I have it? After the baby is born or before?

I'm actually from Canada, moved here 2.5 years ago....so all my family live back there and won't be able to come. All I have is my husbands family and my co workers really. Husband has a few friends....so I would like it to be a *co-ed* shower. He doesn't have a sister or even sister in law. I work a lot and haven't had time to make any close friends who live near us (I work 1 hour away from our home).

I think having it at a neutral place would be best for us, we live an hour north of most the family and an hour south of most of my co workers. Our house is very small though, so out of the question unfortunately.

I have one son who is 7.5 years old, from a previous relationship. My then mother in law threw one for me and only 4 people showed up! It was very sad to say the least lol. We just kinda sat there and drank tea, then they left.

Since this is going to be my last baby, I really want something fun that we'll remember. I still feel a bit funny organising it myself. :confused:

I will definately keep you posted! and thanks again for the ideas so far!

[MrsMiggins]

I would go for having it before the bub is born.

You know what else I was thinking? If you start organising things yourself, you'll probably find that a friend or two will realise they should be doing it & will offer to take over. You could then graciously accept their offer - problem solved!

Of course, that's not to say you wouldn't still have a hand in arranging things such as the location, who's invited, the date etc.

Definitely keep us posted! I'm sure you'll have a day to remember!

[watermelon]

Hi Brenny

I think it's fine to host your own baby shower - I just did on the weekend!

I did it myself for a number of reasons - my group of 4 close girlfriends are all going to be bridesmaids at a friend's wedding in three weeks (one week after my due date). They have been spending hours orgainising bridal showers, hen's nights and endless fittings and makeups etc for the wedding. I could see that they were all pretty tired and I thought that as I am just at home waiting for my little munchkin to arrive it wouldn't take much effort for me to start organising something myself.
My side of the family all live in north Qld while I'm in Brisbane, so my other option was to see if my husbands family would organise anything. Whilst they were willing to organise the shower they had their own ideas about what it should entail and who should be invited. I could see that it was going to be a major event with everyone even remotely related being invited. They also had ideas about how the shower should run (ie baby games at someone's house) which isn't my kind of thing at all :eek: . I just wanted to have a small get together with close friends and immediate family.

So, last Saturday I booked at large table at a nice cafe and I had about 15 friends and family turn up for coffee and extravagant desserts. We just had a really nice afternoon tea, some good conversation (something I've been sorely missing since finishing work) and a general relax. It was exactly what I wanted. People stayed as long or as little time as they wanted and I think everyone had a good time.

I don't think anyone thought it was weird that I had arranged the event myself so if you wanted to organise your own I'd say go ahead and start planning! :)
Whatever you decide - hope you have a great shower!

Watermelon
20 days to go and counting!

[jonesso]

Hey girls

I threw my own, but we called it a nursery party, not a baby shower. Guys and girls both came, we had a craft afternoon and did paintings for the nursery and a wall hanging, and instead of a guest book we had a "memory book" for the baby and all guest had to trace their hands in the book and write a message to the baby. Lots of stickers and felt and shapes and it all looks pretty bloody impressive! Such a great way to go!

A party like we had is great because it means that there is no pressure on any of your friends to have to come up with something, particularly if they are like my friends - none of them have had any children, we are the first. Also it meant that guys could come along too. We had a sausage sizzle for dinner (cheap and simple) and dessert with champagne to toast the start of our new family. I had so much fun and love going into the nursery and looking at the paintings and the wall hanging. It means so much to us that they were handmade by our friends and family. Highly recommend it.

So screw tradition and DIY!

Sonia :)

[mandy_jayne]

Hi Everyone,
I think it is fine to organise your own baby shower. These days everyone is so busy and times are changing where baby showers are just for the girls. I'm not a big fan of baby shower games and drinking tea and things like that so we are having a family day out in the park with our friends both male & female and those that have kids can come along too. We chose a nice park near the water on the weekend and are holding it there in 2 weeks with everyone BYO drinks and chairs and we will supply the nibblies. That way it is a no-fuss, casual event that people can stay as little or as long as they like and just relax. Everyone seems open to the idea and I have organsied it myself as my Mum & Sister haven't really offered to do anything. At least this way we are doing something that both my hubby & I want and we are both involved which is important as it is our child together and sometimes the Daddy's miss out on so much. Good luck with all your baby showers and remember to relax and have fun :)

[Lucybelle]

haha, you'll have to change the topic line. In the menu it looks like you want to throw your own BABY!