So it is normal for the cost to be split between the host and the key organisers. This way the cost is shared with her closest family and friends. Guests are not expected to pay for attending the baby shower.
Who pays for a baby shower? Most often, the host pays for the baby shower. This is not always one person. For example, several aunts and cousins might cover the full tab of a shower at a restaurant, or a group of coworkers may help coordinate all the decorations, food and fun.
The host pays for the expenses of the baby shower. That being said, co-hosting a shower with one or two others is a good way to split the costs (and the planning).
For coworkers or acquaintances, people tend to spend around $30 to $50. For friends or distant relatives, many people spend between $50 and $100. For close friends or family members, most people spend between $100 and $200 or more.
We recommend a budget of $50 to $150 depending on how close you are to the expecting parents. When choosing the gift, it will always go a long way if you opt for buying something unique and/or highly useful. This will show a higher level of appreciation.
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.
Traditional etiquette rules
Traditionally for an in-person shower, a friend or relative hosts the baby shower and pays for the costs.
From parents to college roommates, and anyone else who plays an important role in the parents-to-be's lives. It's safe to say that those who weren't included in the initial guest list are the people you shouldn't invite.
It is actually against baby shower etiquette to ask your guests to pay for their own lunches at a baby shower. As a hostess, it is your responsibility to cover the food costs for your guests. The baby shower is "your gift" to the mom to be. The guests' give their gift at the baby shower to the mom.
While a hostess gift is not a necessity, but it is certainly a very kind gesture. Even though a baby shower is given out of the goodness of one's heart, a baby shower hostess gift just says, "Thank you." If someone throws you a surprise baby shower, you are not expected to have a hostess gift immediately.
As much as guests would love for the mom-to-be to open their gifts, proper etiquette is respecting her wishes and not asking her to open the presents during the shower.
Most baby showers should be hosted by a sister, mother, mother-in-law, or close friend. Baby showers were traditionally thrown by family members who weren't close with the parents-to-be, to avoid the assumption that close family members wanted to collect gifts for themselves.
Men's attendance at baby showers is not something that's seen as taboo anymore. As men are more involved in raising their children than they may have been in past generations, they may want to enjoy baby showers. Coed baby showers are a natural progression.
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.
Asking for and receiving money for a baby shower is the perfect opportunity to kickstart savings for bigger goals. Giving cash as gifts might feel impersonal or unthoughtful but giving a monetary gift that goes towards a savings goal can be considerate and generous.
Baby showers last on average 2-3 hours, depending on what's planned for the celebration. Plan for enough time to enjoy all of the baby shower games and activities you have planned for the day. Factor in things like the opening of gifts, snacking on hors d'oeuvres and cake, and catching up with friends and family.
The correct answer: Walk right up to this one: Call the host, thank her for the invitation, and tell her that you're sorry but you can't make it (3). You don't need to give a reason or make up an excuse. You're also in no way obliged to send a present — this is a shower, not a wedding.
A baby shower is technically a party to honor the mother, so her name goes on the baby shower invitation by default. However, many modern baby showers are co-ed and also include the father. If that's the case, the mother's and father's names can both be included at the top of the card.
Don't Schedule It Too Early or Too Late
A baby shower should not be held before the 20-week mark in pregnancy. Showers held too late, after 38 weeks, run the risk of the baby joining you for the baby shower.
As a fast rule, baby showers are often held at the end of the second trimester or early to midway through the third trimester — usually four to six weeks before the due date. Expectant parents who are having multiples may prefer to have the baby shower on the earlier side.
Maybe you think that throwing yourself a shower could seem a bit tacky or like you just want to receive presents. We're here to tell you that nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, did you know that 60% of WebBabyShower clients have thrown their own baby showers?
A polite thing to do is to inform your guests of your decision to not open gifts so they know what to expect during the shower. The hostess can say something short and sweet like “Just to let you know, gifts will be opened after the shower.
For a fancier event, a nice dress or skirt-and-blouse combo are a safe bet. If you prefer pants, opt for dress pants and heels over jeans or leggings. For a casual affair, however (think: at someone's home or a park), jeans might be totally acceptable with a dressy top or a blazer.