I need ideas.Like an open house thing maybe, after the baby arrives?
2007-04-15 15:45:26 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
i think an open house sounds great! have relatives bring food, and mabye have some newborn pics to hand out. and make sure you have someone who is willing to help clean up afterwards!
2007-04-15 15:51:38 · answer #1 · answered by superyduperymommy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went to a shower this past week that was a "Diaper Shower." I really enjoyed it because there just wasn't the element of focus on gifts that you get at a normal shower. (Not that I don't love baby showers where the participants bring gifts - I wouldn't have hesitated to attend if it had been more traditional either.)
Mom-to-be asked for just diapers!! She was very specific about which brand and what sizes she wanted. She was having her third child, so she knew her first 2 were born on the big side, and she asked for size 1s and size 2s. Everyone only had to spend about $10 (for a pack of diapers) and she got loads of diapers!! Win - win!!
Here's a link to a great website for diaper cakes - this is what I took to her shower, and it was a huge hit. Everyone loves these cakes because they are so gorgeous and also so practical. All the ladies at the shower just crowded around the cake when I brought it in.
Consider a diaper shower! It's an inexpensive alternative to a traditional shower, and I see no reason why you couldn't do it after the baby is born if you wanted to. (Before would be fine too!!)
You didn't say *why* you'd rather not have a shower, so I wanted to tell you, that there are lots of people out there, (myself included) who *love* being invited to showers, really *enjoy* buying a gift for the new baby, and also really enjoy *giving* a gift to the expectant mom. You may have other reasons for not wanting a traditional shower, and I am sure they are valid. Just don't let anyone dissuade you from having a nice baby shower with their talk about gift grubbing. Someone who views a shower invitation as a solicitation for gifts is just mean-spirited, in my opinion. Baby showers are about celebrating a new addition to the family, a woman's passage into motherhood (even if it isn't her first baby, her family dynamic is still about to change!) and a new life being born into the world.
I think *every* expectant mom deserves a shower, and *every* baby deserves a celebration! Whatever you decide to do, I am sure it will be memorable and enjoyable. Congratulations on your impending new arrival!!
2007-04-16 04:04:35 · answer #2 · answered by Diaper Cakewalk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the open house could be a good idea, but think about how tired you may be from just haveing a new baby, they take a lot of energy. You may want to go to target or babysRus and register on the baby resgister, especially if you know what it is, and even if you dont know what it is, you still would have plenty of things that you will need. Send little cards out to friends and family or emails, letting them know where you are registered, and that you have decided not to have a traditional baby shower for whatever reason. They could drop the gift off or also have the option of having the store ship it to you.
Cindy
2007-04-15 15:56:34 · answer #3 · answered by gowildcats47 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have an open house after baby is born- just make sure it's not too soon after baby is born and make sure that someone does ALL the work- preparing/clean-up so that mom doesn't have to do anything. After-baby hormones can really mess you up and make you very emotional- not to mention VERY tired-- so make sure mom wont mind- sometimes after a baby is born the last thing you want is people over (but when its your first kid you have no idea how hard it is after baby is born)
Otherwise do a diaper party. Have get together and instead of a traditional shower everyone brings diapers. When we did this for my sister- she didnt have to buy a single pack of diapers for an entire year!
Throw a pamper party. Two ways to do it- 1. each guest can bring a gift to pamper mom with and a gift to pamper baby with- otherwise the second way is to help mom after baby- and plan a day out with the girls- and go to lunch and go have pedicures done! The new mom will love a chance to get away from the baby for the afternoon and get to do something nice for herself- since everyone knows when you have a baby that "mom" time doesn't usually happen- you're so busy taking care of the baby you don't get any time to take care of yourself! My sisters did that for me just last week- and my daughter is 9 weeks old and it was one of the best presents / days out ever.
2007-04-15 15:56:05 · answer #4 · answered by Amy Clark 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love the idea of an open house, but only if you have someone to cook and clean. Everyone loves to see/hold a new baby. I love company and I have a very large family. Also, remember that if you are concerned about germs or other issues in regards to people passing the baby around this would be a bad idea. People will bring gifts to your house as well, but men would be present.
2007-04-15 15:55:20 · answer #5 · answered by mel s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes... that's similar to how I handled it after both my babes were born. I prefer it that way... it's a great "pick me up" for mom. I liked it after the babies were here b/c it made me get up, get dressed, and fix my hair, and put actual clothes on the baby (instead of just a onesie) LOL. Plus everyone got to oooh and ahh over the baby... which is who it's all about... and since I was the new mom, they all did the cooking & cleaning for me which was great! A babyshower would've made me uncomfortable.. even though I threw them for everyone else LOL.
Think of it as killing two birds with one stone... shower gifts & a "meet the baby" all at once. I didn't have an actual party though... I had more like "appointments" with certain people on certain days because I like calm, peaceful interactions after having a child. Just do whatever you're most comfortable with and be happy enjoying your new little one :)
Blessings!
2007-04-15 16:30:20 · answer #6 · answered by Jemmie Vee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my god. Please go to Babies R Us and ask them about registering for your baby shower! Don't you want everyone to buy goodies for your baby?
Are you interested in receving a changing table, linens, stroller, pack & play, baby clothes, bottle sterilizer, diapers, wipes, receiving blankets, newborn tub, infant swing, etc?
You need to have a shower and get the gifts BEFORE the baby gets here. I have organized showers for my girlfriends and they all made out like bandits, we all gave great gifts. When I had my shower my girlfriends and parents gave us so much stuff, we were flabbergasted. I gave one for a lady at my office and everyone pitched in and we gave her great stuff. She loved it, and we managed to surprise her so it was really fun.
After the baby is born you have a party and invite everyone over to meet your baby, but none of those people ever brought gifts to our kids. Having a shower means you will get gifts for baby, party afterwards won't necessarily mean that you get any baby stuff.
So, if you already have everything you need or have no desire to get together with your girlfriends for a shower, then don't do it. I just wanted you to know you could be missing out on some serious generousity from people that really love you.
Please reconsider. Shower = other people buying the necessities before baby arrives. Party later = people will not understand WHY you didn't have a shower, and some people might get offended thinking you had a shower but they were not invited.
2007-04-15 16:32:31 · answer #7 · answered by wwhrd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yea I had answered another question relating to a baby shower and I had my shower after my baby was born. Actually worked out better because then everyone knew that he was a BOY and I rec'd items for a boy as well as other baby things!!! It was still a shower but....just a big ole happy party!!! Have fun!!!
2007-04-15 15:52:51 · answer #8 · answered by RB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people do not want a house full of potentially infectious people when the baby is around.
Depending on how many people are involved, do a luncheon at a local restaurant. That way it isn't a whole day event and you are not stuck with any cleanup. Good luck!
2007-04-15 15:51:59 · answer #9 · answered by madeinmilwaukee 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An open house to meet the baby is a great idea.
2007-04-15 15:48:10 · answer #10 · answered by FCabanski 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah the alternative is to simply not have a baby shower.
2007-04-15 16:29:27 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋