The host will greet all guests personally, take their coats, indicate where presents should be deposited and offer them a beverage. This greeting process will not only please Miss Manners but will bring a warm, rosy glow to all your guests and get the party started off right.
Baby Shower Seating Etiquette
Baby showers are all about the mom-to-be, but they also celebrate all the important people in the new baby's life. Assigned seating is not necessary, but certain people should have reserved seating with the mom-to-be. If this is not her first child, her other children should sit with her.
There are no hard and fast rules about who can give a baby shower toast, but typically it's either the hostess, the mom-to-be, or close family members. Choose one person to give a toast at the shower or designate times throughout the event for different people to say toasts.
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. Once one gift is opened, a chain reaction will start and everyone will want theirs opened too.
Should you open gifts at the baby shower? Tradition would have you open all the gifts in front of the guests. But, times have changed and it's more common not to.
Giving the host a gift isn't required, but it is a nice gesture and the host would appreciate it. A bottle of wine, a gift card, or something personalized make great host gifts!
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.
"Thank you for hosting such a lovely shower for the baby and me. It was so special to celebrate with our favorite people, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of the time and energy you put into making me feel loved." "What a day! Thank you for making me feel so celebrated and loved at the baby shower.
Strict rules like “female guests only,” “the parent-to-be or their immediate family can't host the shower” and “you shouldn't have a shower for any baby after your first” were largely indisputable 60 to 80 years ago. Some people love sticking with those traditions, but with new decades come new flexibility.
Traditionally, baby showers are intimate events, with the average number of attendees being about 20 and definitely fewer than 50. After you figure out who you want to invite, you'll have a baseline guest list.
While traditional baby showers consist of women only, co-ed baby showers are becoming more and more common. However, if you're looking to throw a traditional baby shower and still have the dad-to-be attend, this is completely acceptable and appropriate as most dad-to-be's will want to thank guests before they leave.
“I know that becoming a parent is going to be a life-changing experience for you. It's definitely not always easy, but it's so worth it.” “Best wishes to you both on this joyous occasion. May your baby be blessed with good health, happiness, and lots of love.”
"Light alcoholic beverages are best, like wine, spritzers, Champagne, and mimosas," says Ehsaei. "Hard liquor generally should not be served at baby showers to prevent guests from overindulging." And if you're a guest, expect to sip, not shotgun.
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.
Who organises the baby shower? Baby showers are traditionally thrown by a member of the expectant parent's close circle of friends. However, it is just as common for a close family member such as a sibling or cousin to throw the shower.
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.
There is no concrete rule on the order for the baby shower. Most baby showers do the games first, opening of the presents next and then the food last. If you have a buffet style meal, you can also let your guests eat right before or during the present opening.
The host(s) are then in charge of choosing a location, venue (or home to throw the shower at), creating and sending out invitations, collecting RSVPs, decorating, ordering or preparing food and beverages, and also coordinating any activities that may take place—from optional gift opening to games."
Traditional Baby Shower Length
Games, food, and opening gifts are all part of the fun but can run long. Check with the guests of honor to see what they feel comfortable with and adjust if needed. Parent's magazine recommends a shower last three hours at the most.
It's entirely up to you. Baby shower games don't have to include prizes. Games can be played just for fun. However, if you'd like to increase the competitiveness of your guests, you may consider giving out gifts to heighten the incentive of playing.
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.
As with any party, there should be a yummy cake on offer to mark the occasion. As stated, it might be an extra special gender reveal cake, with a pink or blue sponge to wow the crowd. Or with boy/girl specific decorations like our Blue Baby Shoe cake.