Earn cash as you plan. Get a $20 gift card for every 200 points with The Knot Rewards
Chit Chat
charlotte989875
member
Baby Shower Questions
charlotte989875
member
My sister is pregnant, with her first child (baby girl!) due in April and I'm throwing a shower for her in February (her H's side is also throwing one a week earlier). The shower is 1-3pm at a restaurant, so I was thinking some heavy apps, salads, and pasta; does that sound okay for a midday event? Also, we'll have an open bar.
Bigger question; she's not super into games, but I was thinking of onesie decorating as something else to do, is that enough? Also how do people feel about the need for favors? I'm not a fan, but wondering what everyone else thinks. Thanks!
ETA: miss-typed the party is 1-4pm.
Bigger question; she's not super into games, but I was thinking of onesie decorating as something else to do, is that enough? Also how do people feel about the need for favors? I'm not a fan, but wondering what everyone else thinks. Thanks!
ETA: miss-typed the party is 1-4pm.
Re: Baby Shower Questions
As a guest I don't expect (or if were being honest usually even like them- microwave popcorn made the day before..yuck!)favors. The timer game is alright though if your Mom or grandma is going to complain about lack of games:have a few small "prizes" like lindt chocolate, bath and body work lotion, bottle of wine etc. and every few minutes have a timer go off- if mom is opening your gift you get a prize.
Skip the favors.
I'm not super into games or activities either, but at my sister's baby shower, we did a well wishes banner. So we had little triangles of construction paper where everyone could write a note to the new baby. We affixed the triangles to a ribbon like one of those trendy Pinterest banners and it now hangs in my niece's bedroom. It was cute, low-maintenance, and didn't disrupt socializing.
People showing at 1 will be hungry so I'd try to have the apps ready and passed.
I think the timer game and Bingo are FINE for games. With only two hours, I don't think you need much else.
Unless the favor is something really tasty like a nice chocolate you can skip it.
I've been given favors at showers but I rarely like them and then I feel compelled to keep them until I'm tired of looking at them. But I never get a nice piece of chocolate and wonder why I kept it so long.....because that doesn't happen...
Some of the better shower games I've participated in are the more passive ones that don't disrupt the meal or require long amounts of attention. Something like "How many Jelly Beans" or "What's the Baby Food Flavor" are easy enough to set up as stations and let people play (or not play) at their own time. Then just announce the winners for each before the mom opens the gifts. I also really like the idea of the timer while the Mom is opening gifts...assuming you have the right sized guest list.
Food wise, I think you have plenty to choose from. I think I have only ever kept one favor (a stainless steel spoon rest) following any type of shower/wedding/etc. Edibles are always awesome (flavor trumps décor!) but not necessary at all.
Loving all these suggestions!
I also don't think favors are necessary if you're playing games with (smallish) prizes, but like weddings, I never complain about taking home cute cookies, chocolates, etc
The last shower I went to had that game. I am not a tiny person so I figured, ehh I'll just measure myself...I ended up winning. So apparently I am as big around as the 7.5 month pregnant mom to be! Many other did just that and were WAY under in size. .
They also played this totally awkward "Feeding the Baby" Game where they blindfolded the mom/dad and made them feed their spouse with their non-dominate hand. Supposedly it was to simulate the midnight feedings...it was just weird and really messy!
@charlotte989875, your menu sounds perfect and is making me hungry.
This is so weird to me! Were they bottle feeding their spouse? Or like spoon feeding? Because no one needs to be spoon fed in the middle of the night, although why I'm trying to reason my way through shower games is beyond me.
I really don't like this version of the bingo game. It makes the guest participate and fill in their chart instead of socializing with other guests. I typically will run the bingo game at showers I help host and I always do it with pre-filled out bingo cards with numbers. Then as presents arrive, I put 1-2 numbers from a sheet of stickers onto the gift and then call out the number as that gift is opened. It's much easier and less effort for the guest!
It was just weird. Cake was good.
Thanks for being one of the people that help me win!
As a guest, the less I have to do during an activity the better. The timer goes off when mommy-to-be is opening my gift and I win a prize > me decorating onesies or headbands. It's a know your crowd thing though.
In my circle, Bath & Body Works hand soap or a cookie or chocolate are favors- I like both but a favor isn't necessary.
My best baby shower tip for you as the host: right before your sister opens the gifts, read off the names of those in attendance who sent their gifts directly to her house. Often times, the big things like crib, stroller, etc. aren't physically at the shower. It's nice to acknowledge those gift givers just as your sister will hold up the gifts in front of her and call out "thank you Aunt Teresa!".
My H's aunt ended up winning from EVERYONE lmao she was ruthless
Are you having a cake for dessert? If so, you could also do a "favor" of some other type of wrapped dessert/candy. People can either eat it right then or take it home. At my baby shower we had chocolate lolly pops that people could take, or eat, or whatever. They were out the whole time on a table next to the cake.
You have 3 hours for people to arrive, eat, watch presents, eat dessert, and depart. That's plenty to do, you don't need to cram in a bunch of games too.