Baby shower question(s)?

Question

I really don't know how baby showers work, as in:
who usually throws them?
are they supposed to be a complete surprise?
Any other info you'd like to add would be great, thanks =]

Oh and what about registrys?(sp?) info?

Answer 1

As with bridal showers, you don't throw one for yourself, nor does your mother. Usually it is a close friend, friend of the mom, etc. I've been to a couple that were surprises, but honestly unless you can involve the mom, you won't know Great Aunt Betty's address and any other important family & family friends who should get an invite. Most of the time they aren't surprises and you work with the mom-to-be to get a good guest list.

As for advice, I'd say think about the person who you're having the shower for. Some people think games and really elaborate baby themes are essential, others (like me) think shower games are, for the most part, really annoying.

Maybe think about how this person's wedding was - did she have cutesy favors, loads of bridesmaids, a shower with tons of games, etc? Then she probably likes that kind of stuff.

A luncheon at a nice restaurant with a private or semi-private room can be really nice and takes some of the pressure off the host to prepare so much food.

Answer 2

A family member, friends, or even work colleagues can throw a shower.

They don't have to be a surprise. In fact, I don't like surprises, so I'm glad I didn't have any surprise showers. I had the time to get myself geared up for the shower, time to look cute for the pictures,etc.

I prefer baby showers at the homes of friends. It's easier to kick back and relax that way. Baby showers at restaurants are ok, but I prefer informal showers.

The registry is easy. The pregnant mom picks a store or two and registers for what she likes. If you're having an informal baby shower, it's ok to put the registry on the shower invitation. Sometimes friends go in together and buy the big things, like the car seat or the crib set.

Make sure you include a phone number on the invitation so that the people invited can call the hostess with their questions.

Answer 3

Someone close to the mother-to-be usually throws the baby shower - a friend or relative.

They don't have to be a surprise. It really depends on the personality of the mother-to-be - whether she would like that or not.

I suggest that whoever is throwing the shower should get baby shower party ideas from http://www.babyshowerthemes.info . If it is not a surprise she can discuss them with the mother-to-be to see what she likes best.

Answer 4

I had a surprise shower and a planned one, both were fun, but I enjoyed being a part of the planning process. Generally thay are thrown by a close friend or relitive of the mother, near the end of the pregnancy (7-8 month). Do some web searching, you can find great party themes and ideas for games.

Answer 5

Aunts, friends, and mother/mother-in-law usually. They can be a suprise, I think it is fun and it may make the mom to be very happy. If not ask what they want. I wanted a small shower and it totally wasn't. There were 75 people there and it was so exhausting and just way too much.

Answer 6

A mother, mother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, cousin, friend, aunt, co-worker, etc can throw a baby shower... Anyone who is close with you.

Baby showers don't have to be a surprise... mine wasn't.

Even on a budget, you can throw a nice baby shower. If you need help with things, enlist friends or relatives to help pitch in for food/games/decorations/etc.

Have fun!

Answer 7

I believe most traditional baby showers are for women only. My wife threw a shower for her close friend. She knew about it.

Now that it's my wife's turn, she wanted something that included men (me and her best friend) - so we decided to have a BBQ cookout for all our friends and families.

It's your baby and its time to celebrate with those close to you, so I think you can go whichever route you like best!

Good luck.