I guess I'm getting a baby shower? do i have to do anything?

Question

A friend of my mom's wants to throw me a baby shower! woohoo! Anyways, I was wondering if there's anything I need to do? Is it essential to register somewhere, or can I just let everyone pick out what they want to get? There are 3 people who I would love to be there but I'm not sure if she will invite them, is there any way to bring this up, or to ask my mom to? The people are my best friend, my step mom and my boyfriend's mom, it's not like they are just mere aquantances or anything like that but people that I really want to be there. Also, she asked me to pick the date and I picked mother's day, is that tacky? thanks in advance for all your advice

The reason I chose mother's day was that the hostess and my mom both thought it would be a good day. Of the people I really want to be there none of them have living moms except for my mom, but she doesn't celebrate holidays anyway.

Answer 1

I would definitely register. For me as a guest, I love to go to showers, but am terrible at choosing gifts. I find it rather onerous when I don't have a registry to work from because I don't know if the mother will like it, what her color scheme is, what gender, etc.

Shopping for showers is a lot more fun when there is a registry. Even if I don't buy off it, I get a general idea of colors, theme, taste so that I can buy something that the mother is more likely to enjoy and to actually use. :)

Answer 2

The best thing is to register so people don't buy you a bunch of repeat gifts or things you won't want or need in the end. It's pretty much standard for any shower or wedding. Keep them all reasonably priced (top prices off at $50), of course, but I'm sure you knew that. Get w/ who's throwing you the shower and just say politely that there are a special few you want to make sure will be there and ask if they're on the list. Nothing wrong w/ that becuase this person is doing something good for you and wants to make you happy. The problem w/ picking mothers day is other people may have their own family that they want to be with on that day so I think it would be a little inconsiderate and tacky.

Target has great quality and decent prices. Babies-r-us are good but I think expensive. Walmart seems a little too cheap.

Answer 3

REGISTER~ you don't just show up, there's more to it than that. YOU have decisions to make about how the nursery will look, what stuff you need to buy, etc.

If you have a Babies R Us close to you go there in person and register. They will help you figure out all of what you need and offer advice. Please go get help with this! You can also register online, from your computer, so when people go to shop for you they know what you want. People can also shop online from that list.

It's up to you to make sure your friends are invited, so speak up! Either your mom or the lady giving the shower should be given the names and phone numbers of your friends. If your mom thinks it's okay then be sure you talk to the lady throwing you the shower. 3 more people isn't a big deal, but she needs to know about it.

Look here to register online at Babies R Us:
http://www.toysrus.com/registry/index.jsp

You need:
a crib
crib set-linens
crib mattress
infant car seat
stroller
swing
infant bathtub
infant washcloths
bathing supplies/shampoo
nail clippers
thermometer
baby monitor
sensitive skin/newborn baby wipes
diapers
receiving blankets
bottles
bibs
onesies
leggings/pants
socks
diaper rash creme
ETC., etc.

You might not want to have your baby shower on Mothers day, honey. Other moms want to be with their kids, Grandma's want to be with their grandbabies, so I think that's NOT a good idea. I'll be with my family on Mothers day and we have our own traditions. I would not attend a baby shower on Mothers Day even if it was for my best friend, no way. Pick another day, please.

I'm sure you will have a very good time, but you really have to go register somewhere. You can do it online at all kinds of stores, so go look around. We were registered at Babies R Us, JCPenney's, and Macy's. That gave people the option of spending a little or a lot at the store of their choice.

The lady that is throwing you the shower is opening her heart and home to you right? She seems nice so I would have no problem asking her to include your friend, step mom and boyfriends mother. That's okay.

Best of luck to you with your first baby!

Answer 4

First off- DON'T DO MOTHER'S DAY! People want to spend this time with family and prolly already have plans. Do it the day before. Think how you will feel in a year if you want to spend the day with your child, but you get invited to a shower. You'd either not go, or feel obligated to go, and then be resentful about it.
Secondly, no, you don't have to register. It can be good because then people will know your tastes, etc, but people usually don't follow a registry anyways. They get an idea of what you want and buy you their version of that item. In case your wondering about it, registering is free and quite easy. You just go to the store and they give you this gadget you use to scan the barcode on the items you want and then you can include the registry code in the invitations. Plus, most stores give you a discount if you purchase the items you don't recieve. (Or at least they used to.) Plus, you can even do an online registry at many places.
Third- I think it's a good idea to give your friend a list of names and addresses for the people you want to be sure get an invitation. Your mom's friend doesn't know all of the people you are close to, and this is a party for you.
Congrats, and have a fun shower!

Answer 5

You should register for gifts so that people know what you need. It's tacky to tell someone what to get you. Part of the fun is picking out the gift. Also, when you are there ask them for registry cards so your mom's friend can include them with the invitations. Make a list of everyone you want to invite with their addresses so that she can mail the invitations without having to make tons of calls to people for their addresses. Also, it's a party for you and if you want someone there then you need to make it known. Other than that, there isn't a thing you need to do. Just enjoy yourself! However, I do think mother's day is the worst day for you to have a shower. People want to be with their mother's on mother's day and I think that you will have more people come if you change the date. I hope it's not too late.

Answer 6

while Mother's day is a sweet notion... A lot of mother's may want to get away from their children for a day but I don't think going to a baby shower for someone else's child is where they would want to be when they can be out with their own, uness you are inviting the whole family and make it a mother's day for all. So, if you want it all about you and your baby, in my opinion Mather's day is a little selfish and we all know their is nothing selfish about motherhood!! LOL It's nice to register because then they know what you need and what you already got, and if they don't want to really find what you requested they can get you gift cards to the store(s) were you are registered. As far as the people that she may not invite, ask her if she would mind or just give her their mailing information so that she can invite them. Its your day, what's terrible about step family when it comes to things like this is that everyone just needs to suck it up and be there, it's not the babies fault she/ha can't change the past, all they need is love. I deal with this still and my son is 5 and the family still one come to just one party! they have seperate parties. It's ridiculous and pathetic. It's not my children's fault you divorced LOL sorry vented a little bit. LOL I wish you the best with your new addition and you new family.

Answer 7

Generally speaking, the expectant mommy should provide her baby shower hostess with a list of names and addresses that she would like invitations sent out to. Mom-to-be should also register for gifts, and give the little registry cards provided by the store to the shower hostess for inclusion in the baby shower invitations. I strongly recommend you do this, because many people appreciate having a list of suggestions so they can get an idea of what you like and what you need, but also so they can avoid purchasing something that someone else has already gotten for you.

Personally, I wouldn't plan the baby shower for Mother's Day. Many of your guests' mothers may have passed away, but aren't they mothers themselves? Their families will want to spend the day with them that day, and you will get a lousy turn out. Not to mention that several of your guests may want to attend church on a Sunday! However, there is no reason not to hold the baby shower on the Saturday before Mother's Day.

Check out the website below for my favorite idea for a baby shower centerpiece - a diaper cake! Enjoy your baby shower, and congratulations on your first baby!

Answer 8

Mother's Day may be difficult for others to attend just because it is usually a family day. Go for the Saturday before instead. Registering somewhere is helpful but not necessary, it just helps those who don't know you, get gifts that suit your lifestyle. If there are people you would really like to have there, then by all means tell the hostess. She should have requested that information anyway.
After this, just sit back and enjoy the day. It is great fun opening all the gifts.
Don't forget to send out thank you notes for all the gifts ASAP. Life gets really crazy after baby gets here.

Answer 9

I would register if I were you.. If you don't you may end up with things not needed and not wanted.. Your mom should already know that you want those people there.. I'm sure it would not be a big deal if you brought the discussion up.. I would not have planned my baby shower for mothers day because 50% or more of the people invited may not come.. Their kids maybe taking them out for Mothers Day.. I would probably reconsider the date..

Answer 10

You only have to do what you are asked to do. This is a party for you; relax and enjoy it. Sounds like the people you want invited would be on the list anyway, but make sure your Mom knows you'd like them all to be asked. Mother's Day may be a bit problematic; lots of people may have other traditional plans for that day involving their own mothers or families, so it might be difficult for them to attend your shower. As for registering, it does help cut down on duplicate gifts, but I'm a big fan of letting people give you what their heart moves them to.