Baby Showa Etiquette(sp?)

[MummiBear]

Whats does everyone think on this subject - a few questions;

1.Do you have one for your 2, 3 etc..

2.Are guests expected to bring present?? is it rude not to?

3.Should guests be asked to 'bring a plate'?

4.How long should it last for, what is overstaying your welcome after party finished eg.should you have a finish time??

5.How many guests is to many, and who do you choose to invite and not to

6.Traditionally no guys allowed but have times changed??

:party:

[KaM]

My response is simple and probably a little selfish but :

Its your baby shower. .you can do what you please!!

If that means one for every baby . .then so be it. .invite who you like for as long as you like . .bring on the men if need be . .im sure they could learn a few things there!! And if you would like the guests to help with the food I don't see a problem there either .. nor do I see a problem if they do or don't bring a gift . .its really about sharing your time with them I feel . .maybe they can trade off between a plate of food and a pressie?!

[SassyMummy]

1.Do you have one for your 2, 3 etc..
I would think that, if you wanted to, then do it. You may find you can't be stuffed (especially if you have kids close together in age)... but if you want to, then why not. Celebrating pregnancy isn't just a "one off" thing...

2.Are guests expected to bring present?? is it rude not to? I'd like to say that guests shouldn't be expected to bring something...but I do believe most people expect some sort of gift (or at the very least a card). Some people have showers for that sole reason (to get things!). I do think it's rude to expect your guests to get you specific items though...

3.Should guests be asked to 'bring a plate'?
In my opinion, that's a bit slack. If it was a get-together at a park, that everyone would really benefit from, then "bring a plate" is fine. But it's a party pretty much only benefitting the parent-to-be... she might as well thank her guests by providing them some nibblies.

4.How long should it last for, what is overstaying your welcome after party finished eg.should you have a finish time??
I would say 1-2 hours. They're not the most enjoyable party (generally, people play games, give presents and eat nibblies...), so expecting people to stay longer isn't a great idea. I believe most people go to them because they kinda feel obliged to, not because they're really excited about them (much like attending a tupperware party or something).

5.How many guests is to many, and who do you choose to invite and not to
Invite as many as you like as long as there'll be enough room for them all. It's probably better to be on the smaller side than have a HUGE party though, IMO.

6.Traditionally no guys allowed but have times changed??
I think times have changed. Having babies is no longer "women's business"... men are excited too. Women are also often friends with men... and why exclude a close friend just because he has a penis? I invited one male to mine - he was just as much of a friend as others who came. He was the only male though (luckily he's gay and is friends with some of hte girls I invited)...I didn't want boyfriends and partners there... but it's up to you.

[bobby]

1.Do you have one for your 2, 3 etc..
dont know - but make it different I would think. More of a get together before no 2,3.. arrived before and you can tell them how you feel, think things will go, get the usual advice etc and possibly expain the reason for the "get together" also on the invite.

2.Are guests expected to bring present?? is it rude not to? I sometimes like it when what is expected is spelled out on the invite - like "bring a small something you feel will help Mum & baby in the first few months" can be as simple as nappy bags, diaper pins, baby wipes, baby bath ect. Big presents are usually exchanged on the arrival of the new baby.

3.Should guests be asked to 'bring a plate'? May be asking a bit much, a few picklets and chips and dip with cold/hot drinks is all you need to put together, their not there for the food

4.How long should it last for, what is overstaying your welcome after party finished eg.should you have a finish time?? :detective: Not sure, I probably couldnt put one on the invite. Usually after a few games thank everyone for coming you really appreciate their gifts feel free to enjoy a bit to eat -and that mostly indicates THE END

5.How many guests is to many, and who do you choose to invite and not to
Family, freinds, neighbours, work colleagues -whoever you feel comfortable with mostly.
6.Traditionally no guys allowed but have times changed?? Now that would be funny, I'd love the games, you might get all the horror stories from everyone but if you do the male versions are hilarious.

[kiah]

Our invites were two sided one for the girls and one for the boys. We thought it was only fair to invite all as people were travelling for some distances and also my hub really wanted to celebrate.

Upstairs was the baby shower and downstairs was the "boys bbq" with everything to do with babies, backgammon and beer!

Decorations were made by our son, all pink for our expected little girl. He drew large pink pictures of our family and stuck them all over the walls, cut and twisted heaps of pink crepe paper, and we blew up about 50 pink balloons.
We started at 3 pm and it went very very late. After all the girly stuff we joined the men downstairs for a bbq at about 5pm. We supplied all the meat (kebab sticks, sausages, rissoles) and made some salads. I asked some family members eg. mother in law, my mum, nannas to prepare their special dishes eg. potato bakes, cheesecakes, gourmet salad.

Most people left around 9pm but the young folk continued to celebrate till the early hrs.

We were on a large property at the time so it was easy for us. I think there was around 40 people.

Just do what suits u. It wasnt a hassle for us at all. But i had a lot of helpers. It was one of the best family celebrations we hav ever had.

[poshBecks]

1.Do you have one for your 2, 3 etc..
Nope, unless there is a large age gap.
2.Are guests expected to bring present?? is it rude not to?
I think that is the whole point of having a shower.
3.Should guests be asked to 'bring a plate'?
No, thats rude.
4.How long should it last for, what is overstaying your welcome after party finished eg.should you have a finish time??
2 hours max. And yes a finish time is a good idea.
5.How many guests is to many, and who do you choose to invite and not to
Have as many as you like
6.Traditionally no guys allowed but have times changed??
I have never been to a shower where guys have been there. I think they'd rather watch paint dry!! :p

[poshBecks]

3.Should guests be asked to 'bring a plate'?
In my opinion, that's a bit slack. If it was a get-together at a park, that everyone would really benefit from, then "bring a plate" is fine. But it's a party pretty much only benefitting the parent-to-be... she might as well thank her guests by providing them some nibblies.



Thats exactly how I feel about it :)

[pickles]

I have been to two baby showers this week !!! The only ones i have been to are for first time parents.
Presents - one i went to actually asked for no presents and most people abided by this.
Food - supplied by the person holding the function ( obviously with the help of family members )
Time - usually 2 - 3 hours.
My big question is - are you expected to give a present at the baby shower and then again when the baby is born ? If you know the sex of the baby you can obviously give the big present at the shower but what if you dont ?
Thanks
Pickles
DD 02/03
DS 03/05

[poshBecks]

My big question is - are you expected to give a present at the baby shower and then again when the baby is born ? If you know the sex of the baby you can obviously give the big present at the shower but what if you dont ?


Depends on how well you know the parents I guess & what you feel comfortable with. I would just give something small at the shower then something a little bigger for the birth (or the otherway around).

[SassyMummy]

Yeah Pickles, I think it depends on how well you know them or whatever.

When I had my baby shower, I got a few outfits and some big "hamper" type of presents (full of baby products).

Then when I had my baby, I got mostly baby clothes and flowers for me.

One girl had given me two small-ish presents at both baby shower and after birth, another gave me a reasonably large present at baby shower and then just a small rattle after hte birth...

Some people hadn't come to the baby shower and gave me bigger presents afterwards.

[sueliz]

1.Do you have one for your 2, 3 etc..

I know of one person who had showers for all 3 of her kids - always thrown by other people though. Everyone else I know only had the one

2.Are guests expected to bring present??

The whole poitn of a baby shower is to help you set up for a baby I thought so yes, unless it is stated otherwise, I would expect to take a present to any baby shower I went to.

3.Should guests be asked to 'bring a plate'?

It depends - if you have stated 'no presents, but please bring a plate of food' perhaps it might be okay. I personally think though that at something like a 'traditional' baby shower, food should be provided. If it was more of a casual BBQ though or something, then that may be different.


4.How long should it last for, what is overstaying your welcome after party finished eg.should you have a finish time??

As long as you like - I don;t think you need a 'finish' time as people may feel like they are being kicked out!

5.How many guests is to many, and who do you choose to invite and not to

Whoever you like and as many as you like.

6.Traditionally no guys allowed but have times changed??

Depends on the Dad-to-be I think. If he would like to be a part of it, then yes, ask the guys!!
I would have loved to have had the guys at mine, but my SIL offered to have it at her place so I wanted to keep the numbers smaller due to that.

[MissieK]

My thoughts:
1.Do you have one for your 2, 3 etc.. - why not? Every baby is special & deserves to be celebrated. Instead of a traditional baby shower, you could have a Mummy Shower.

2.Are guests expected to bring present?? is it rude not to? The idea of a Baby Shower is to "shower" the new parents with gifts.

3.Should guests be asked to 'bring a plate'? I don't see why not... or maybe just ask a few close friends to bring something...

4.How long should it last for, what is overstaying your welcome after party finished eg.should you have a finish time?? A couple of hours - it doesn't hurt to have a finish time - especially if Mum gets tired easily.

5.How many guests is to many, and who do you choose to invite and not to - it's up to you. I just invited my closest girlfriends & family (sister, Mum, MIL, aunts)

6.Traditionally no guys allowed but have times changed?? You could have a couples thing & invite the guys. Times have changed.

Melissa

[Kristy07]

1.Do you have one for your 2, 3 etc..

I have heard you generally do not have a BS for your 2nd or 3rd. But it is completely up to you.

2.Are guests expected to bring present?? is it rude not to?
I dont think it is rude not to bring a gift - but I always would anyway but I would not be offended if I didnt recieve one from someone.

3.Should guests be asked to 'bring a plate'?
You could ask them to if you are hosting the BS for yourself. But again generally speaking unless they offer you shouldnt ask.

4.How long should it last for, what is overstaying your welcome after party finished eg.should you have a finish time??
If you dont want people overstaying there welcomeput a definate finish time on the invite. so Like 1pm - 3 Pm sharp.

5.How many guests is to many, and who do you choose to invite and not to
Invite how ever many you like. I guess it depends were you are hosting it and how much money you want to spend. I would start with people closest to you and work from there

6.Traditionally no guys allowed but have times changed??
Guys generally dont want to come to these things because they find them boring but if you invite them the worst thing they can say is no they aren't coming

[Kristy07]

1.Do you have one for your 2, 3 etc..

I have heard you generally do not have a BS for your 2nd or 3rd. But it is completely up to you.

2.Are guests expected to bring present?? is it rude not to?
I dont think it is rude not to bring a gift - but I always would anyway but I would not be offended if I didnt recieve one from someone.

3.Should guests be asked to 'bring a plate'?
You could ask them to if you are hosting the BS for yourself. But again generally speaking unless they offer you shouldnt ask.

4.How long should it last for, what is overstaying your welcome after party finished eg.should you have a finish time??
If you dont want people overstaying there welcomeput a definate finish time on the invite. so Like 1pm - 3 Pm sharp.

5.How many guests is to many, and who do you choose to invite and not to
Invite how ever many you like. I guess it depends were you are hosting it and how much money you want to spend. I would start with people closest to you and work from there

6.Traditionally no guys allowed but have times changed??
Guys generally dont want to come to these things because they find them boring but if you invite them the worst thing they can say is no they aren't coming