Baby showers

A baby shower is a pregnant woman's right!

To be surrounded by her family and friends before giving birth. Good way to get lots of gorgeous things for baby

I had a small gathering, but it was nice.

I've been to some big shin-digs. They're fun

*edited for spelling

Edited by MamaPickle

allsopp89 I can understand what you are saying about it possibly being cheeky, although I think that anyone who goes to a baby shower automatically takes a present so it may not be. It may also depend on who you invite and what they are like/what they expect. Maybe talk to your Mum or a friend who you would invite and see what they think. Or maybe ask someone else to send out the invites for you so they are not actually from you but you are the one registered with the demonstrator as the host so you get the freebies, does that make sense??

Probably depends on your friends and their situations and what sort of baby items she offers and the price range...for example, I personally wouldn't want to feel like I have to buy on the night especially as our family tend to give homemade gifts because quite honestly we couldn't necessarily afford other options.

I would want to know that no purchase was necessary and that I still had the option of bringing my own gift.

Hopefully that all made sense.

Yeah I wouldnt mind the buying the gift there, considering (im assuming) you can set up registrys with the shops, so its basically the same thing!
I would just make sure that there was a wide range of prices as Paws said I would hate to go and then have to buy a 200$ gift that I couldnt afford...

that sounds real cool would be a great idea for a antenatal class party too.

For starters you'd need to be very up front with your friends that it's a sales party. I know I hate to be blindsided by these things as I always feel an obligation to buy and feel bad when I don't. Especially if I know there's a hostess gift involved.

Also, if you're having a baby shower I'd want to choose the gift I give you rather than feeling my choices were limited to things they're selling on the day - it's not the same as having a registry as presumably you don't want everything they're selling and registries are a suggestion only. There is no obligation for guests to use them.

I do realise I have strong, and apparently unpopular opinions about baby showers (because I have an interest in etiquette, which has strong guidelines on this). They are not a right. They are something people do for you. Many people don't get one, and that's sad, but there it is. It's because they are, by definition, gift giving events.

It's awkward hosting your own because what you're saying is 'please come and buy me things for my baby that I don't want to buy myself' when what you probably think you're saying is 'please come and celebrate us having a baby'.

People who want to give you gifts will give gifts, baby shower or not.
The way to throw a party for a new baby yourself is to call it something other than a shower. Have it after and call it a 'meet the baby party'. Have it before and say "I'm hosting this sales party, and thought it would be nice to celebrate this pregnancy with my friends while I had everyone here. It would be lovely if you came".

Sorry for the novel, and I'll hop off my soapbox now

Umm ... I must agree, it sounds a bit like a tupperware party. Personally, I would love to go to one with other pregnant ladies (maybe we should organise one for the ladies on here?) but wouldn't feel comfortable having it as a baby shower. When I think of baby showers I think of the chance for your female friends to gather, show support, play games, eat food and have a good time - they can bring you a present if they want to.

im all for baby showers i love them, but i dont think its the time for a sales party as some people who would come to a baby shower might not be interested in a sales party for baby stuff. but the sales party thing does sound like a good idea for antenatal class get together sort of thing.

i had a baby shower with ds1 but not ds2 or 3 but i am having one this time as it will be ds4 so it will be fun and add some excitement to this pregnancy, a friend has offered to host it for me and to her baby showers are an absolute must do lol so i cant even back out if i wanted to now lol.