Baby Shower

Baby showers bring to mind much oohing and awing (obligatory or genuine) as piles of pink- or blue-themed gifts are opened.

While it's true that the point of a baby shower is to give new parents gifts that will help them be prepared for their new bundle of joy, they are also about sharing the excitement a new baby brings with family and friends.

Whenever guests are expected to bring a gift, those expectations can start to become the center of attention, instead of the event the gifts are celebrating.

Here are a few ways to help keep the focus where it belongs: on the thrill and anticipation of a wonderful new baby.

While new parents don't throw their own shower (it's too much of a direct ask for presents), anyone else can host.

And though many people might associate baby showers with a group of women seated in a circle around a mom-to-be, it's fine to throw a shower for any expecting or new parent—single mom or dad, or gay or straight couples together—and the guest list can be co-ed.

This is also the case for parents who adopt, though if the adoption is for an older child, don't use baby-themed invitations. It's also a good idea to include the child's name and age on the invitation.

Keep shower guests to close friends and family.

Though a gift is expected if a guest attends, guests should only be invited to help celebrate the upcoming arrival, not for the gift they bring. If a guest is invited to a shower but can't attend, there is no obligation to send a gift, though they certainly may if they want to.

Include registry information on a separate slip of paper with the invitation, or better yet, provide it to guests who reply they will be coming. It is splitting hairs, but it keeps the focus on the guest being invited to celebrate and not just on their gift.

It's okay to have a shower for a second or third child. Originally this was frowned on, the idea being that parents would have what they need from their first child.

But in some cases it's been many years since the last child was born, or the first child was a girl and now the parents are expecting a boy.

For parents who are relatively well equipped, shower hosts might consider themes that focus on restocking basic items, or treats for mom and dad, such as a night of babysitting, coupons for take-out, massages, or movie tickets.

Office showers are a nice way for colleagues to help celebrate and acknowledge parents-to-be. Usually there is cake and a card signed by the group, often accompanied by a group present.

Employee guests to an office shower aren't expected to bring gifts; instead, the group gets together for a group gift, usually funded by an office collection.

It's important that no one be excluded from or pressured into participating. Instead, the person in charge should inform everyone that there's an envelope at his or her desk, and to make contributions there anonymously. Never go desk-to-desk asking colleagues to pony up on the spot.

The person in charge might check in with the parent-to-be to discover what they need, and to see if their partner might be available to join the party.

Traditional etiquette says that if you thanked someone for a gift in person, there is no need to send a handwritten note. This is still true, but shower gifts have always been and continue to be an exception.     

Be sure to send a prompt handwritten thank-you note to each guest who gave you a gift. It's never okay for the shower host to ask guests to write their address on blank envelopes to save the parent-to-be the effort.

Notes, including the envelopes, should be personal start to finish. Some hosts will excuse the practice by using them to draw door prizes or as a way to gather mailing addresses for the expectant parent in an age of email.

Door prizes don't make up for laziness, and an address book would work just as well to collect mailing addresses, so these excuses don't make up for the tackiness of outsourcing the task of thanking guests to the guests themselves.

And a final grace note for parents: After your newborn arrives, be sure to share the news personally with anyone who attended a baby shower for you.

website is dileksbabyshower.com

 

Alıntı: https://babyshowersparty.quora.com/Baby-Shower-Party-1

Let me start off by saying, "I love a party." I do. Weddings? You bet I'll be on your dance floor. A holiday soiree? Count me in. For goodness sake, I even love kids' birthdays parties (that start after 11 a.m. and involve booze). So you better believe if you're sending me an invite to your baby shower I am totally in. I want to celebrate you AND that beautiful creature you are about to bring into this world. But here is what I don't want to do. I love you, I really do, but I do not, unfortunately, want to watch you open one more gift in front of me.

I'm not sure where this whole shower tradition began but, the truth is... it's got to end. And not just because the whole thing gives me a knot in my stomach. Sure, your dear Aunt Jean may want to see every itty bitty yellow sock that you pull out of beautifully wrapped box and make you a ribbon hat. But the majority of us don't want to have to whisper our conversations for the next hour or say "aw" for the 100th time. Even if everything really is that cute. Because it is! But it's exhausting. For you too! Especially for you. I can tell you from experience. And when you get a gift that actually isn't cute after the 25th gift opening? Let me tell you, it gets harder and harder to feign excitement. And the last thing you want to do is offend grandma. So save yourself the grief and opt out of opening gifts at your baby shower.

I know, I know, some of you will say: "Well, that's rude not to open gifts that your guests bought you!" To that I say: "Hold up." Gifts should be given selflessly, and the mama-to-be does not owe a pressured and showy "ooh or aah" to anyone. What she does owe is a gracious thank you, quality time spent with each guest and, of course, a lovely thank you note.

Here are five ways to Just Say No to traditional gift opening at your baby shower.

web site is: dileksbabyshower.com

 

Alıntı: https://babyshowersparty.quora.com/Open-Gifts-at-Your-Baby-Shower

Dear Co-workers,

It is now acceptable to have a baby shower for a second or even third child, even if they are the same gender. Every baby can be celebrated, and it's a great opportunity to get together with family and friends.

However, the family having the baby should not be the initiator. No one should ever host a baby shower for themselves or ask anyone else to, for that matter. If a friend offers to host a baby shower for you, regardless of how many children you have, you have the choice of accepting or declining. Most people enjoy having a shower for a second baby because there are always new and improved products and gadgets to make the parent's life a bit easier or more fun. Also, if the babies are more than a few years far apart in age, parents don't always have all the necessary equipment.

If you truly feel you have everything you need, simply tell the friend offering to host how much you appreciate the thought, but you feel uncomfortable having a baby shower when you don't need anything. Of course, some like to throw surprise showers, so in that case you don't really get a choice.

Should the family expect gifts when having a second child?

Like a wedding invitation, a baby shower invitation does carry the obligation of a gift. After all, that is the purpose of the event, to shower the mother-to-be with gifts. So if a baby shower is held, it's safe to say gifts will be expected. Unlike a wedding invitation, if you don't attend the shower, there is no obligation to send a gift.

As for general baby gifts after the baby is born, no one should ever expect gifts, but when babies arrive, most people like to welcome them with a gift. Whether you choose to give a baby gift for the second child or not really depends on your relationship with the parents. If you are very close, a baby gift is usually a good idea, but never mandatory.

If you are planning a shower for a friend or colleague that already has a child you may want to consider inviting guests that did not attend a previous shower or making the celebration a bit less traditional.

Baby shower etiquette is basically the same for each child.

For more details and an expanded list, see our blog posts Baby Shower Etiquetteand Who Traditionally Throws a Baby Shower?

web site is: dileksbabyshower.com

 

Alıntı: https://babyshowersparty.quora.com/Should-You-Have-a-Baby-Shower-for-a-Second-or-Even-Third-Child-%C2%BF

I love baby showers. And I love shopping for them even more. Moms-to-be are gifted so many unnecessary whosits and whatsits at their showers that picking out a gift they'll actually like becomes an exciting challenge. Are you up for the task? If you're not now, you certainly will be after reading this. I've put together a few ideas for some baby shower gifts you absolutely can't go wrong with. Happy shopping!

 

Snap Suits aka Onesies

Every mom I know says you can't have enough of these from sizes newborn through 24 months. Many shower guests might head straight for the newborn goodies alone, but I have a friend who had a 10 pound baby and couldn't even use all of the cute newborn clothes she'd gotten at her shower. Infants grow fast and having these on hand in multiple sizes will make life a lot easier for mom and baby in the coming months.

Children's Books

I always give my new mom friends a copy of The Giving Tree because it was one of my favorite books as a child. Yes, I was pretty emo. If you haven't read it in a while I guarantee you'll get teary eyed by the end. New moms will need lots of material from books about colors and shapes to ones by Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak. A shower where everyone gives their favorite childhood book could be the perfect thing.

Diapers

Boring! I know. But, with approximately eight-12 changes per day, this is pretty much the best gift ever. Find out what type of diapering she wants to do whether it's disposable, cloth, or hybrid and chip in for a whole boatload in a variety of sizes. Diapers, no matter what kind, can get expensive quickly so you'll really be doing them a favor.

Meal Plan

A friend suggested this to me and I think it's genius! Many people's idea of helping the new mom after the baby arrives is bringing food. But it can be disastrous and frustrating to coordinate visits and food drops. There are quite a few websites that make it super easy to help loved ones get this organized. Remember that new parents are frazzled for months after the baby is born, so if a drop is scheduled for month three, it could be even more appreciated than a drop in month one.

Chip In For Something Big

A crib is always a safe group gift idea. It's an across the board necessity and usually too expensive for one person to get on their own. But an unexpected and extremely welcome option is to chip in on a nanny, babysitter, or housekeeper. As much as you can all afford to stockpile is fine. New moms find themselves constantly maxed out and exhausted. Any extra help will be a huge deal to her.

Swaddle Blankets

I was recently visiting a friend and her newborn when I noticed a beautiful new scarf on practically every surface of their apartment. Soon I learned they weren't scarves at all, they were swaddle blankets. And boy did they come in handy. She used one to set her baby down on while we chatted, and she wrapped him up like a burrito in another when it was time for his nap. What makes a good gift for the baby now is also a good gift for mom down the road!

Bath Products

Another baby gift that could double as one for mom too is bath products. I got my sister-in-law a mommy and baby bubble bath set when my niece was first born, and when I was back a few days later the bottle was gone. Babies need lots of baths and moms need lots of baths so that they can relax. Look for bath products that are organic, made for babies of course, and in soothing scents like lavender, mint, and chamomile. This way, mom can feel good knowing that what's on her skin is safe for the baby that will be cuddling up to her.

So, next time you get invited to a baby shower, squash the urge to get gummy fetuses or baby high heels (I kid you not!) and choose something from this list instead. The mom-to-be in your life will be eternally grateful.

web site is: dileksbabyshower.com

 

Alıntı: https://babyshowersparty.quora.com/No-Fail-Baby-Shower-Gifts

 

1 - baby shower can be a simple gathering of a few friends for a cup of afternoon tea – or you can go whole hog with decorations, a theme, a cake, and games. But no matter what kind of party it is, the basic motivation behind it is the same: Pregnant women deserve a chance to celebrate and some presents to help them get ready for parenthood. Next time you're invited to a baby shower, be sure to turn to our list of the top ten gifts.

2 - Bouncy seatKeep a newborn and his parents happy with a bouncy seat – the baby can wiggle and jiggle to his heart's content, and his parents can squeeze in a chore or two knowing he's safe and entertained. This versatile, portable piece of baby gear features cheerful fabric stretched across a metal or plastic frame, with straps to ensure safety. Some are powered by your baby's kicks, but others have a battery for a rhythmic and more soothing bounce.

3 - Baby monitorNervous first-time moms and dads will appreciate the reassuring presence of a portable baby monitor receiver on their bedside table. These gadgets have become more and more sophisticated – some models can pick up a baby's faintest breaths within a range of 600 feet or more. They're particularly comforting for parents whose baby is sleeping in another room. Other options include motion sensors that sound an alarm if the baby hasn't moved in a certain period of time, and video monitors, which let parents see as well as hear their baby.

4 - BeddingSoft fitted sheets are a perfect addition to any nursery. You'll find colors and patterns to suit every decor, from traditional pastels dotted with baby animals to bold black-and-whites and geometric patterns. (Fuzzy blankets pair nicely with sheets, but they should be saved for out-of-the-crib cuddling, as soft bedding is a SIDS risk.) You can be sure that any new parent will be grateful to have extra linens come laundry day.

5 - Baby sling or front carrierOne of the handiest ways a new mom or dad can tote a baby around is in a sling or front carrier. Babies love the feeling of being snuggled up to a parent's chest, and the ingeniously simple design leaves a parent's arms free to do housework or errands while the little one sits in a protective pouch. Some experts, including pediatrician William Sears, swear that the close contact encouraged by slings and front carriers helps strengthen the parent-child bond.

web site is : dileksbabyshower.com

 

Alıntı:https://babyshowersparty.quora.com/Baby-Shower-Gifts-Top-10