Some parents may choose not to have any showers for subsequent children, while others may still have a baby shower even if they have already had one for a previous child. Ultimately, it's up to the expectant parents to decide what feels right for them.
While good etiquette doesn't prevent you from having a second, third, or fourth shower, you may opt to tweak some of your plans if you've recently had your first baby—especially the gift-giving obligation.
Multiple baby showers often happen by choice. Perhaps your mom wants to throw one for you, or maybe your mother-in-law is eager to host. And that's not even counting your friends, co-workers, former sorority sisters, and anyone else who's super excited to pamper you and celebrate your baby's impending arrival.
Since it's up to others to throw the shower, you can have as many or as few as you like.
Encore Baby Showers or Sprinkles
Some say that baby showers should only be given for the first born. It's fine to have a baby shower for a second or third baby.
For a second, third, etc baby.. I guess it's called a Sprinkle, it's not a full shower, it's a sprinkle..rain..
Traditionally, baby showers are given only for the family's first child, and only women are invited, though this has changed in recent years, now allowing showers being split up for different audiences: workplace, mixed-sex, etc. Activities at baby showers include gift-giving and playing themed games.
Traditionally, according to baby shower etiquette, the host would be someone outside of your immediate family – like a close friend or relative. These days, the baby shower rules are more relaxed, with some pregnant mamas even hosting their own baby shower if they're not keen on handing over the reins.
Who plans and hosts a baby shower? According to tradition, baby showers should be hosted by a friend or distant relative (like a cousin or an aunt) instead of a close family member. This custom is believed to have developed in order to avoid the appearance that the family was simply on a mission to collect gifts.
The hostess traditionally pays for the baby shower and its associated costs. However, the hostess can divide up the responsibility and costs by asking a few close family members or friends to co-host.
As this user demonstrates, it's ok to ask for what you want. So, don't be afraid to tell your close friends and family that no one is throwing you a baby shower. Sometimes, your loved ones may assume that someone else is doing it, which is why they haven't offered. If still no one offers, there's no need to worry.
How Many People Should Attend a Baby Shower. Every baby shower is different, but most ladies agree that 15 to 30 is the perfect number of ladies at a typical baby shower or about 30-40 for a coed. These numbers change depending on the size of the family, number of friends, and even work colleagues involved.
If you have a wide social circle, you might have a few showers for one baby. The mom-to-be's family may throw one shower, the dad-to-be's family may throw one shower, and your co-workers may throw one shower. Whenever possible, you should combine groups into one shower.
The average baby shower gift spend amount typically ranges from $25 to $200. The range in the average is explained by different closeness levels to the mother-to-be.
(You can still have a registry, though!) It's also good to keep this event relaxed — hence the “baby sprinkle” idea. It's a smaller and more casual version of a first baby shower. You can still invite close friends and family and enjoy time with them, though it's generally not as extravagant as the first baby shower.
Traditional Baby 100 Days Celebration Gift: ang baos
The amount given should end with an even number while favouring the auspicious number eight. Giving new parents an ang bao with $88 or an amount with “88” in it signifies wishing double fortune and blessings.
No, it's not rude if you have made plans for that day. However, a kind rsvp should be made aware of the person not showing up at all. Plus a small token of a baby gift to the mother-to-be wouldn't hurt to be given to her.
Baby showers don't have to be only for ladies. Although it's still okay to only have a ladies-only baby shower, It's become more commonplace for guys to attend. So, if you're planning a baby shower, figure out if you want the baby shower to be female-only for the new mom or a co-ed baby shower.
Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, or co-workers of the mother-to-be hosted baby showers. Because gifts are central to showers, having a member of the honoree's (or husband's) immediate family host appeared self-serving.
Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, and coworkers of the parents-to-be have been the appropriate hosts for baby shower parties.
Other parents take a shower with their older baby so they don't have to worry about them, and can get them clean at the same time. If you do shower with your baby, it can be a little risky, since the shower is slippery.
While baby sprinkles are traditionally hosted by close family members and friends, Gosselin says it's becoming increasingly common for the parents-to-be to host an event themselves. “It allows them to have more control over the execution and timeline, which is often a big factor,” she explains.
If you have friends and family that want to attend an in-person shower, you could think about throwing a hybrid virtual baby shower where some guests are in person and some are virtual. This can be the best of both worlds!
Although traditional baby shower etiquette calls for showering the first child only, the mom-to-be may want to celebrate each birth. If so, a baby sprinkle is the perfect idea for gathering her loved ones without asking too much of them.