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Facts You Should Know About Baby Shower
Etiquette
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by: Jessika Ryder
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Whether you’ve hosted baby showers before or not,
chances are you’ve got some questions regarding the right baby shower
etiquette. You want to create a truly special time for the guest of honor
without any unintended faux pas. This guide was specially created to help
you get there.
The real basics
Take the wishes of the mom-to-be into account at every stage. That includes
the games, food, invitation list and all other aspects of the baby
shower.
You can have baby showers either before or after the baby is born.
Generally, they’re held 1 or 2 months before due date. But they’re also
held after baby arrives because of medical or other reasons.
These days, it is perfectly ok for a close relative or even the couple
themselves to host a shower. Those “rules” about only non-relatives hosting
a baby shower are quite dated now.
Before deciding on the kind of baby shower you plan to have -- girls-only
or coed, theme or no theme and so on -- consult mom-to-be and find out what
she prefers.
Who can be invited? Generally, anyone the mom-to-be feels she should call.
She’s the best guide here.
Do you always need to send written baby shower invitations? It is usually
the better choice. With a written invitation, guests have all details at
their fingertips and need not rely on memory. Plus, you can (and usually
should) include directions on how to get there.
At the same time, it is fine to just inform people on the phone. Do tell
them well in advance, though. So they have enough time to buy gifts,
arrange for a baby sitter, etc. And leave your contact numbers with them so
they can reach you easily if they need any clarifications.
Can you hold a surprise shower? Sure. It can be a wonderful feeling for the
expectant mother. But do consult someone close to her (mother, sister, etc)
to know about her likely preferences in all areas.
The devil is in the details
Here’s more in depth information on baby shower etiquette that’ll help you
host a truly great party.
Send out shower invitations at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance. Send them
even earlier for out-of-town guests. Request an RSVP by a date 2 weeks
before the baby shower.
If you’re having a coed shower, you might turn the guys off if you send
frilly baby pink invites full of baby talk. Stick to attractive, stylish
invitations.
Greet all guests at the door as they walk in, provide them with name tags
(if there are many guests) and introduce them to others to get
conversations going.
Register for gifts at only one place. Even if there are reasons like
another store being closer to some guests. Else mom-to-be may end up with
duplicate gifts she may have to return. And guests will be disappointed if
they find that someone else has chosen the same gift they have.
While giving gift suggestions, include items at a variety of price points,
not just high-ticket items. And do suggest that guests can get together to
purchase higher priced items.
If there are older siblings, make sure they receive a gift each. They may
already be feeling somewhat left out with a new baby on the way, so this is
a great idea.
Irrespective of whether it’s a coed baby shower or not, buy a gift
specially for dad. He should feel that he was remembered too.
Record who gave each gift. Essential information when the time comes to
send thank you cards! Sending thank you cards is essential baby shower
etiquette.
Hand gifts to mom-to-be for her to open and take it from her once she’s
done with it. This will save her the hassle of continually getting up and
moving about to pick up gifts.
Sometimes, some guests may need to leave early. They’ll appreciate it if
mom-to-be will open presents while everyone is eating.
Food and related arrangements deserve special attention. For one thing,
expectant mothers can’t eat everything they normally would. See this page
for more guidelines on food at baby showers:
http://www.baby-showers-advisor.com/baby-shower-food.html
Start the baby shower on time and keep it fairly short. Don’t get bogged
down in any one segment like games. Be sensitive to mom-to-be’s energy
level and any signs of fatigue she may show. End the party if she’s
beginning to feel run down. Walk guests to the door as they leave and be
sure to thank them for coming.
Don’t expect perfection. No party ever is perfect. There’s always the
unforeseen -- power goes off just as gifts are being opened, you forgot to
dust one corner of the room, the pack of baby shower favors you opened just
before the party turns out to be a different color than you ordered and so
on. You can’t control it all.
Special situations
You might have a friend or relative who just lost a baby, or is infertile
despite all treatments. Should you call her for your baby shower? Attending
may be a challenge for her. Being confronted with another’s pregnancy may
be difficult for her to bear.
The rule in such situations is -- ask. Check with her and find out if she
is up to attending the baby shower. Don’t just send an invitation in the
mail. On the other hand, don’t presume that she can’t come and not call her
at all. If she’s close to the mom-to-be, she may well want to come. Or at
least, she may send her good wishes and a gift.
But if she tells you that she can’t make it, accept the situation with
grace. Never hold it against her in any manner. Even if she said she would
come and later backed out. Remember, it is probably one of the most
difficult times she’s ever had, so be generous and supportive.
Once you’ve understood these simple baby shower etiquette guidelines,
you’ll be far more confident about hosting a baby shower. Have fun, and
create a special time that will live on in everyone’s memories!
About the Author:
Jessika Ryder is a successful
writer and party enthusiast providing valuable information on baby showers.
See more articles at: http://www.baby-showers-advisor.com.
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