Having a Baby Shower?

Question

I am 26wks pregnant and do not want to have a baby shower.
For starters - i have everything for this baby already. Between myself, my fiance, and my mum we probably have more things than we actually need! lol. And i'm talking clothes, baby furniture, nappies, disposable nappies, bottles (incase we need them), sterilisers, linen, towels, baby moniters, crib toys, bath toys, stroller toys, car toys etc etc. We were all a bit over-excited i think! lol.

Anyhow my friends want me to have a baby shower. I would happily do a lunch or something with them all but they want it to be "baby specific" however when they ask what to buy baby i say nothing because there is nothing that baby needs. And then they get annoyed because i didn't leave them anything to buy.

I understand they are just being "friends" but i never expected them to buy for baby, although i appreciate the thought its unneccesary.

Do i have a baby shower just to make them happy?

Answer 1

Why don't you have a luncheon and ask for guests to donate to a local children's hospital in leu of a gift. That way the theme is still baby related, but not directed specifically towards you :)

Answer 2

You can never have enough diapers and baby laundry detergent. You may not realize how fast they go through them until after the fact. Just let them buy clothes that are a little big from 9-23 month sizes and baby laundry detergent. These are the things that people don't think about when buying for baby. If none of this sounds good then just let them get you gift cards to different stores. It is great that you have been able to already get the things that you need but it is also awesome that you have friends that are willing to help out as well. Good Luck and just go with the flow of things.

Answer 3

How about donations for the baby's future in the form of bond certificates, certificates of deposit, or deposits into a savings or pre-paid college-fund account?

You could ask for "Friend Vouchers"--you know "This voucher entitles you to one free babysitting session" or "This voucher entitles you to a baby-free lunch with the girls" (or spa day, etc.). There is an established etiquette now that says it is fine for the new Mommy to receive gifts as well as or instead of the baby at a shower. You can even plant the idea by calling it a New Mommy Shower instead of a baby shower. Why not let your girlfriends pamper YOU a little since you are so well stocked for the baby already?

Believe me, as a new Mom, I wish I had gotten more of this type of thing and less clothes and toys. I am an older Mom and it was within our means to really do it up for this baby--professionally decorated nursery and such (I was really excited too). Unfortunately (or fortunately) the rest of our family, friends and co-workers were too--I had a "family" and a "work" shower--each with more than 50 guests---imagine! My son is one now and I still have items unwrapped and unused--waiting to regift. Are you having a boy? I could ship some of my overage to you.......

Best of luck to you and your new baby.

Answer 4

no. maybe do a lunch like you said for YOU, kindof like a congrats on the new baby, but since you don't need gifts you don't need to worry about games, party favors, refreshments and all of that. tell them if they want to still bring something little for baby then it's ok- you can never have too many diapers, wipes, medicine kits, diaper rash cream, toys, sheets (especially baby sheets for your crib wow) etc. Just let them know what NOT to bring, like you really don't want more clothes, or a diaper genie, or certain types of toys etc. have a congratulatory lunch, but if you don't want a shower, they need to be good friends and understand and support you in the decision. Congrats!

Answer 5

Okay so you have stuff to start out with but how about later on. Eventually the baby will out grow clothes, need bigger diapers, need more diaper wipes, etc. So let them have their fun and have a shower and tell them you already have enough stuff for the first couple of months but could use stuff that are 6 months or older and diapers, wipes, bath stuff are things that you will go through fast.

Answer 6

Why not suggesting a shower after the baby is born. That way they can focuse on diapers, bottles and things the baby goes through everyday. Just ask them to get things for the future like bigger diapers and clothes or even put money in a savings account for a college fund. They shouldnt get angry at you.

Answer 7

What I did was have my baby shower after the baby was born. That way you can share the new little one with all your friends and instead of doing gifts, make it a diaper party (you can never have too many) Go to target and register for 2 or 3 packs in every size and some wipes. That way you'll be well prepared cuz they grow out of them so fast. All I bought while I was pregnant was newborn sizes and size ones. Its very helpful to have bigger sizes on hand.

Answer 8

Well u can never get enough diapers and wipes and shampoos and stuff, so I would say if we have a shower it will be like just a girls gathering with some food and maybe some cake but no big hoopla. And the only gifts aloud are diapers, wipes and stuff liek that.

Just tell them you have everything you need and if htey want to do something nice for you then they can do that.

Answer 9

YES! and you should be grateful you have friends that want to do this for you!

If you know what the baby is, you could ask for clothes over a certain age, like ask for things over 9 months.

You could also ask for baby books, toys or videos You will never have enough diapers, you could exchange them for bigger sizes.

Answer 10

Your friends are trying to be supportive and are just as excited about the baby as you are. So, how about giving them a theme for the party.

1. How about they all make you a freezable dinner for you...so you can pop it out and stick it in the oven (after the baby comes)...so you can focus on taking care of the baby.

2. how about a pamper-the-mother-to-be party where they give you gifts to make motherhood & pregnancy easier. (A nursing gown, a massage, etc.)

3. Or how about a baby-cast party. Where there's appetizers, food, and drinks...and you make a cast of your belly--and they paint it!

YES, let them be involved, otherwise they'll feel sour about the baby. Let them be excited about the baby too. And, really, who couldn't use a few more outfits? Just tell them to buy for 9mo+...or which ever since you're low on.