Typically a close friend or one of the grandmas-to-be will throw a baby shower. It is acceptable to have a sister or other family member throw the baby shower.
Who Hosts a Baby 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.
Most often, it's a close friend of the mother-to-be who organises a baby shower, however it could also be the expected baby's grandmother, god parent or mother-in-law.
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.
For a second baby shower, there are some social rules and etiquette that you should keep in mind as well, to keep things from appearing “tacky.” First of all, it is best to have someone throw the baby shower for you if you are the mother. It can be anyone, such as a friend or relative.
If a mother-to-be is expecting a baby soon (a year or so) after her first, “it's perfectly fine to have a second baby shower,” said Lizzie Post, etiquette expert, great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post and co-host of the podcast, Awesome Etiquette.
If so, you'll be relieved to know that having more than one baby shower is completely acceptable. Not only that — 72% of Babylist users reportedly have more than one shower, according to the data, and we see the exact same thing. Typically this entails a baby shower for each side of the family or co-workers.
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. This helps to reduce the overall expense and alleviates some of the financial obligation of hosting a baby shower.
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.
Men are allowed at baby showers — especially if the father's in attendance. It's rare for a mom to have a co-ed or Jack&Jill baby shower and not invite any of her and the father's male friends and family members.
It's usual to host the baby shower when mum-to-be is between 28 and 35 weeks pregnant. It's the ideal time while she's still got some energy and has a cute bump. This early date also means that she can plan easily, exchange any duplicate gifts, and fill the nursery with gorgeous newborn baby shower gifts.
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.
Send invitations early enough to give the guests at least three weeks' notice: That way everyone has enough time to put the shower on their calendar and shop for the perfect gift. You can send invitations by mail or email, or by scheduling an event on social media.
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.
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.
Traditionally, the organizer of the baby shower pays for all the expenses associated with the event. The organizer can be one or more close friends or relatives of the mother-to-be. If the event is being held at a private residence, the hostess usually covers all costs related to food, drinks, and decorations.
There are several ways hosting a baby shower can happen: you can specifically ask a close friend, family member (yes, we think the grandmother-to-be can host if she wants to) or a group to host, someone can throw a surprise shower for you or you can host it yourself.
Yes, you can really ask for cash. Given that it's not a traditional approach, you may feel a little awkward doing so, but we're here to assure you that it's okay! The baby shower is both about celebrating together and getting you ready for the new member of your family.
Never show up to a baby shower without a gift in hand! That being said, you're not required to buy a gift from the registry. Feel free to shop around and choose any special gift for the new little one (and their mommy!).
The name says it all: Instead of a bigger party where first-time parents are showered with gifts, a baby sprinkle is a more casual, relaxed gathering where the guests of honor are "sprinkled" with support and potentially smaller gifts.
Who Hosts a Baby Sprinkle? Unlike baby showers, baby sprinkles are almost always hosted by the parents-to-be. If a close friend or family member offers to host, feel free to accept. But, typically, you'll be the one throwing your own soiree.
In fact, it's usually considered perfectly acceptable for a sibling, in-laws, or even the guest of honor's parents to host or co-host a baby shower. It's still unusual for a parent-to-be to host their own shower, though.
A Baby Sprinkle is celebrating the second and third children and so the gifts are going to be different.
Overall, a father bathing with his young toddler is not considered inappropriate or even a warning sign an adult might be at risk to harm a child. Of course, every family has its own comfort level with issues like nudity, bathing practices and parenting styles.
"For a celebration for a second or third or fourth baby, you might want to include only close family, call it a celebration rather than a shower, and make it clear you are inviting them to celebrate," notes Gottsman.