Facts You Should Know About Baby Shower Etiquette
Jessika Ryder
Whether youve hosted baby showers before or not, chances are youve 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, theyre held 1 or 2 months before due date. But theyre 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. Shes 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
Heres more in depth information on baby shower etiquette thatll 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 youre 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 its 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 shes 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. Theyll 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 cant 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. Dont get bogged down in any one segment like games. Be sensitive to mom-to-bes energy level and any signs of fatigue she may show. End the party if shes beginning to feel run down. Walk guests to the door as they leave and be sure to thank them for coming.
Dont expect perfection. No party ever is perfect. Theres 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 cant 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 anothers 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. Dont just send an invitation in the mail. On the other hand, dont presume that she cant come and not call her at all. If shes 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 cant 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 shes ever had, so be generous and supportive.
Once youve understood these simple baby shower etiquette guidelines, youll be far more confident about hosting a baby shower. Have fun, and create a special time that will live on in everyones memories!
About The Author
Jessika Ryder is a successful writer and party enthusiast providing valuable information on baby showers. Her numerous articles provide party planning tips and other useful insights. See more articles at: http://www.baby-showers-advisor.com
RELATED ARTICLES
Green Lake, WI
City Guide Site
Glutathione for a Healthier PregnancyAll parents-to-be nurture the dream of a healthy pregnancy and baby.
Shared Dancing Has Benefits for Babies and New Moms AlikeEvery parent knows the calming effects on their baby of rocking and gentle motion. After all, who among us has not paced the floor at 2 am trying to entice a little one back to sleep by rocking, bouncing or swaying
Help I am Pregnant and an AddictThere are a lot of resources on the internet, in books, and from the medical community on the dangers of drug and alcohol use during pregnancy.However, there is not very much quality information on what you should do if you have a problem with alcohol or drugs and are pregnant.The simple answer is you need to quit.With all the treatment programs availabele;AA, treatment facilities, therapy, self-control, etc., why wouldnt a women be able to get help.Why would anyone use drugs or alcohol while they are pregnant.Most pregnant moms know or have read that using drugs or alcohol can cause numerous problems for their unborn baby.But there are many reasons women avoid treatment.
No Invitation Needed: Sacred Children Series - 3 of 3I had my first two children on either side of my twenty-third and twenty-fifth birthdays. I had always assumed that by the time I was forty, Id have a ton of freedom to finally push forward with my dreams of becoming a motivational writer and speaker. It really looked like that was the way my life was going to go too.
Low-Carb Dieting During Pregnancy May Benefit Your Baby!As low-carb dieters change there eating habits, it is likely that these habits will stay with them. There is no surprise then that more and more pregnant woman are trying to maintain there low-carb routine during the months of pregnancy. There are new studies being done on low-carb dieting that point to the fat that there may be benefits in the long run for children of low-carb dieting.
Sex & Pregnancy...Do They MixAs a pregnant woman, you may experience sex drives much like your moods. Up and Down! Some women claim that they have no sex drive at all during pregnancy, and others, say their sex drive is better during pregnancy. With changes to your body happening so quickly, your moods and dives may also change just as quick!
Facts You Should Know About Baby Shower EtiquetteWhether youve hosted baby showers before or not, chances are youve 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.
Coping With an Unplanned PregnancyYour period is late and you start to think maybe you might be pregnant. Maybe you are afraid to go take a test because you dont want to find out the results. You may be asking yourself "how could this happen" If you find yourself pregnant with an unplanned pregnancy all kinds of emotions may run through your mind. Perhaps you are secretly excited about this but scared to tell your husband. Maybe you are not married and scared about facing motherhood alone. Maybe you do not want any more children and the prospect of having another baby is the worst thing you could imagine right now. There are many scenarios that lead up to unplanned pregnancies. Mistakes in judgment happen, condoms break, birth control pills fail, even tubal ligations and vasectomies fail.
Did You POOP TodayIf youre like many Americans, constipation is something youve experienced.Over 4 million people each year report being constipated. Cases of colon cancer are rising steadily. To understand why you may be suffering, you first need to know exactly what constipation means. When John Wayne died they found 60 pounds of compacted hard fecal matter stuck to the lining of his intestines.
Alfredo, and Who on Earth Was HeIf you ask for pasta with Alfredo sauce at a restaurant in Italy all you get from your waiter is a stare. Why is one of the most famous Italian sauces for pasta unknown in its country of origin The answer is simple: because in Italy an Alfredo sauce doesnt exist.
Fun & Unique Baby Shower FavorsA baby shower is often the highlight of an expectant mothers pregnancy. Planning a baby shower requires some thought and consideration for the expectant mothers special event. Baby shower favors are among the items that must be considered when planning a shower.
The Essence of InfidelityInfidelity affects 8 out of 10 marriages in this country.This is a shocking statistic!What happens between the time the marriage vows are spoken and that first episode of cheatingIts an assumption, of course, but I dont think that 80% of the people who get married intend to cheat or be part of a love triangle.
The First Week with your BabyThe first week of your babys life brings big adjustments for both of you. You are adjusting to being a mother and caring for your baby and your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. It is a time of great joy -- and possibly immense fear! Although youve been preparing for the birth of your baby for months, now he is here and depending on you for everything which can seem overwhelming. Dont expect too much of yourself during these first days! If anyone offers you help -- take it!
Triumphing Over TantrumsBefore you had kids you probably witnessed an out of control child having a temper tantrum at the store.More than likely you thought or said, "If that was my child, I would ______".Well now here you are with children of your own dealing with these exact situations.Temper tantrums are a normal part of life with toddlers and preschoolers.Almost all young children have tantrums occasionally.If handled appropriately, most children outgrow this stage by four or five.
Cats With Feline Diabetes Can Still Lead A Happy LifeYour cat has feline diabetes. If this is your vets message after examining your beloved friend, it will come as a shock. Yes, your cat has a serious disease. But you can treat it!
Parenting - The Irrational VocationThere are some grounds to assume that a cognitive dissonance is involved in feeling that children are more a satisfaction than a nuisance. Why do people bother with parenting It is time consuming, exhausting, strains otherwise pleasurable and tranquil relationships to their limits. Still, humanity keeps at it: breeding.
Not Enough Women Getting Folic AcidNCWhile most women have heard about folic acid, less than half know its of benefit to women of childbearing age, according to the Folic Acid Alliance of Ontario. In addition, many women dont know whether they need to take folic acid, and if they do, how much they need or what are its sources.
Winning at Post-Natal Weight Loss: Six Simple Strategies for New Moms Part 3A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now that babys here, youre probably wishing those extra pounds would hurry up and disappear!While it wont happen overnight, these six simple tips can help you lose that extra weight in a healthy way.If youre looking for parts 1 and 2 of this article, you can find them both at http://www.mambomoms.com/articles.html
Metaphors of the Mind Part IThe brain and, by implication, the Mind has been compared to the latest technological innovation in every generation. The computer metaphor is now in vogue. Computer hardware metaphors were replaced by software metaphors and, lately, by neuronal network metaphors. Such attempts to understand by comparison are common in every field of human knowledge. Architects and mathematicians have lately come up with the structural concept of "tensegrity" to explain the phenomenon of life. The tendency of humans to see patterns and structures everywhere even where there are none is well documented and probably has its survival value added.
Helping a Friend Through a MiscarriageWhen you have a friend that has had a miscarriage there is a lot you can do to help her. Many times we are afraid to say anything because we dont want to say the wrong thing but not saying anything at all can be just as bad. So what should you say and what shouldnt you say. I have had three miscarriages myself and have heard a lot of things that were just not the right things to say. I have put together a list of things you can say and things you probably shouldnt. Please be gentle with your friends that are coping with miscarriage. They need your support. Things you should say.Do call her and tell her you are sorry for her loss.Do send her a card or flowers to show you careDo let her talk as much as she needs to or wants to.Do give her a hug to let her know you care.Do offer to help with housework, babysitting or other things that she may not feel up to doing.Do acknowledge her baby.It is okay to say I dont know what to say or I dont know how to help. Do call and check up on her. The pain does not go away in a couple days.Give her extra attention. She needs to feel like other people care about what she is going through.Do ask if she wants to talk about it.
