FAQ's about Baby Shower Etiquette
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding baby shower etiquette. You can use this information as a guideline for your planning, but keep in mind that these practices are not set in stone.
Who should host the shower?
Usually, whoever is chosen to be the baby’s godmother hosts the shower,
because she’s most likely the expectant mother’s closest friend. But
the host can also be a sister, mother, mother-in-law, aunt, cousin,
etc.
Who should be invited to the shower?
All of the expectant mother’s friends and family members, and maybe
co-workers should be invited.
How should I invite the guests?
You can call them, send them an electronic invite via the internet, or
send a traditional invitation through the mail. Just make sure you give
your guests 6 to 8 weeks notice.
Is it poor baby shower etiquette have male guests?
No. But I would check with the mom-to-be first, just to make sure she’s
okay with having men at the shower. She may want a more traditional
baby shower with all women.
What about after birth or baby adoption showers?
You can certainly plan a shower for a mom who has already given birth
or who has adopted. You may have to alter your games, but all of your
planning should basically be the same, The only big difference is that
the new baby will be in attendance! Check
this page out for more info.
How do you have a baby shower for an expectant mom
who lives far away?
Ever heard of a Distance
Baby Shower? Well that's your answer. If the expectant mom
cannot make it to the celebration, her family and friends can get
together and take the celebration to her - without having to travel!
This goes against traditional baby shower etiquette, but with good
reason; showers are usually held 1 or 2 months before the baby is born,
and the expectant mom should not travel during this time.
Do I have to use a theme?
You don’t have to, but using an overall theme makes planning so much
easier. Your theme will narrow down color selections, centerpieces, the
edible cake, etc.
How do I choose and set up the decorations?
Choose the decorations that go with whatever theme you’re using, and
you can find plenty of options at stores like Target. You can also find
items online. As for setting them up, just use basic decorating
techniques. If you want decoration ideas for specific themes, click
here.
How many centerpieces do I need?
That depends. Some hostesses use just one centerpiece for the head
table, and others prefer to have one on each table. All the tables can
have the same centerpiece, or you can choose a variety of ones that go
with your theme.
What is a diaper cake, and is it necessary?
A diaper cake is a gift/centerpiece/helpful new mommy item. It looks
like a traditional tiered cake, but it’s made from diapers instead of
cake batter. In addition to the diapers, the cake includes various baby
items like lotion, baby wash, bibs, etc. It’s not necessary to have a
diaper cake at a shower, but these items are a very popular trend.
When is the best time to have a shower?
If you want to stick with baby shower etiquette, then it’s best to have
a shower on the weekends, since most people work during the week. You
want to definitely make sure that your guest of honor is free for your
proposed time. Saturday afternoons usually work best.
How long should the shower last, and what time of
day should it be held?
Usually, a baby shower should last about 3 to 4 hours. Make sure you
have time for everything on your agenda. You can have a late
morning/early afternoon shower, and afternoon shower, or an evening
shower. However, avoid having the celebration either too early or too
late. You want to make sure you have enough time for last-minute
preparations. And you don’t want to keep your guests out too late.
What type of food should be served?
Baby shower foods will depend greatly on the time of day. Serve
breakfast food for a morning shower, lunch food for an afternoon
shower, and dinner food for an evening shower. Get
menu tips and ideas here.
How many games should we play?
4 to 5 games is a good amount. But have some back-up games, in case
your guests are having a blast, and want to play more. If you need
ideas for your baby shower games, click here.
How many favors should I have?
It has always been proper baby shower etiquette to give all of your
guests a small gift, just to say "thank you" for attending. You should
also have some additional favors for your game prizes. If you do not
know exactly how many guests are coming, then you'll have to
guesstimate. But if you end up with more than you need, that's better
than not have enough to go around.
I think I need a checklist to help me with baby
shower etiquette and planning. When can I find one?
You’re in luck because the best baby shower planning checklist is right
at your fingertips! Just click
here to sign up for my free newsletter and you’ll get a copy
of the checklist sent straight to your e-mail inbox.
In keeping with baby shower etiquette, what
should the party planner wear to the shower?
Coming in second to the mom-to-be, all eyes will be on the hostess
since she is running the show. So she should look nice, but not too
over-dressed. Business-casual attire will be good. And trying to
color-coordinate your clothing with the theme could be a nice touch.
What should the guests wear?
You want your guests to look nice, but you want them to be comfortable,
too. If they ask, tell them to dress nice, but casually.
Do the guests have to select their gifts from the
registry?
No. Many people stick to the registry because they know that the
expectant mom personally chose those gifts. But she will be grateful
for anything she receives. If you can think of something that could be
useful to the new mom but it’s not on her wishlist, you should still
purchase it for her.
Are there any more hosting responsibilities after
the shower is over?
Yes, you should help the mom or parents-to-be with their baby shower
thank yous and birth announcements. You can also help them pack their
shower keepsakes.
Do I have to stick with traditional baby shower
etiquette?
Absolutely not! People are constantly coming up with new and creative
baby shower ideas, and the etiquette is always changing. If you want to
try something unique for your celebration, you should go for it!
Got
more baby shower questions?
Click here to access the Q & A Forum