[CubaLulu]

As per my topic description... are baby showers still the done thing, or are they seen as a bit of gift grabbing? Of course, I know I could request 'no gifts', but my friends are the sort to ignore that...

Did you have one or have one thrown for you? And if I do have one (My best friend wants to throw one for me and I'd be involved in the organisation, she's already asking me what I'd like!) what sort of things do you think would make for a nice shower to be enjoyed by all?


Any suggestions/opinions appreciated!

[ally0812]

if they want to do it, let them:) they're trying to be involved in your pregnancy. if you find out the sex of bub, dont tell until the shower, make a pink-blue sponge cake and ice it with baby decorations- iced dummy-bottle-blanket ect. make most food vege sticks and dips, fruit salad, mince and lettuce cups, mini quiches- finger stuff thats healthy! games are nice to keep for baby to look at later on in life, like Caption that pic- find funny-strange pics on net of babies(any age). baby bingo- give blank ruled up pages of 12 squares out, get guests to fill in each square with a baby word, nappy blanket cot ect... and as you open gifts if you get a blanket they cross it off. first with a full line wins

[bubzillaiscoming]

I missed out on a baby shower it probably can be seen as a bit present grabby, but when I had mine planned in my head I had organised an afternoon where I could catch up with all my friends and just have a relaxing time. More like a special afternoon tea. I wasn't planning on playing any baby games or anything like that and going with the theme of champagne and cupcakes. Like you my friends are the type to ignore the no presents rule and so I planned to buy some really nice champers to share. Unfortunately all 3 of my sisters had moved overseas at the time and I felt a bit weird asking one of my friends to step in (someone kinda has to volunteer!!) and then DS was breech so I had to go in 2 weeks early for CS ... so it just never happened.

As an aside I have a lot of friends who have had showers and I don't see it as being present grabby, but I hate all the damn games .... !!!!

Have one and enjoy

[roses7]

IMHO, they are shameless present grabs.

Though to be fair, it is often the organiser who gets carried away, rather than the mum-to-be herself.

I've been to 2 baby showers where the organising friend went completely OTT and basically took it upon themselves to organise a group gift that we were all supposed to chip in $80-$100 for

Instead of a baby shower I just went out for high tea with a few friends, which was lovely.

[Guest_Retro_Mumma_*]

I had a traditional baby shower thrown for me and recieved a lot of nice gifts.

I dont think there is anthing wrong with having a baby shower if you want to have one, and I think its rude to write no gifts especially because some people are really excited for you and want to give you a gift.

Like my nanna, as soon as she found out I was pregnant she started knitting me jumpers, beanies and all sorts of things. DS was her first great grandchild and she was just so excited she could knit something for him. Many people get a lot out of giving. I think people would of been a bit hurt and dissapointed if I said no gifts.

Also were adults and perfectly capable of deciding whether we want to bring a gift or not.

If you dont like the usual formal baby showers you could just go out for lunch with your friends/ family or have a BBQ with partners and kids. Thats what im probably going to do.

I think some people honestly just hate baby showers because of the formality and the games and also I think for some people its a sore point because no one wanted to throw them a baby shower and it can be a bit hurtful when they see other peoples baby showers are these big beautiful events with lots of loved ones and the pregnant women being showered with gifts and so they say "I hate baby showers - they are just a gift grab! I never wanted one anyway!"

This post has been edited by Retro_Mumma: 13/04/2012, 01:37 PM

[Choufleur]

I had a baby shower with a bunch of girlfriends, we had a lovely afternoon with cakes and tea. We played some games (3 I think, they were pretty quick & simple and we played in groups) and then opened presents.

Noone expects expensive gifts. People tend to give gifts when a baby is born so there is no need to buy again when you visit baby if you've been to the shower. I would normally only spend $20 - $30 on a shower present whether by myself or with a bunch of friends. A friend of mine often gave bags of hand-me-down clothes at showers.

If you friends want to throw you one, let them. Just be polite and write thank you letters for your gifts.

[Harmonica]

Personally I think baby showers are a lovely way to celebrate a first pregnancy and the pending birth - a chance to get together with special friends and just have a nice time.

I do think it gets a bit tacky though when people start having one for each baby they have and expect loads of gifts etc. etc.

[PurpleChicken]

I think they're a great idea. I had a proper shower for #1 and got heaps of great stuff (some expensive, some not). Some gifts were just a few onsies, which come in very handy for when bubs is little.

I won't be having a big shower for this baby because I feel like it WILL be a shameless present grab this time. I'm going to organise a high tea with friends and family & if they want to buy me a gift, they can, but I'll let everyone know it's not necessary.

[fozzymum]

I organised my own baby shower but that's because my two beloved sisters are a bit clueless about these things and we had been TTC for nearly 5 years so I well and truly wanted to celebrate. I just asked my nearest and dearest to join me for high tea and I did write 'no presents needed' on the invite. Some friends brought presents anyway but most said they wanted to wait and see if I was having a boy or a girl first. I wasn't interested in games or anything like that so it was perfect for me and I loved catching up with everyone. My friends were excited for us as well so I don't think anyone begrudged me my shower time.

[**Xena**]

I had 3 None of them I organised though and 2 I didn't even know about beforehand.

I had 2 for my first child. One was organised by a friend and it was pretty casual, no games and minimal decorations, though they did all get me a present. We drank non-alcoholic wine and chatted about baby stuff.
The other was organised by my boss and had games and all my work mates there. They all chipped in and made me a hamper of baby stuff which was lovely.

The third one was for my second child and just with friends. Again casual and no presents. Just hanging out chatting.