What to do When Nobody Gives You a Showerby Pattie Hughes | More from this Blogger 04 Mar 2007 09:53 PM Baby showers are a fun and traditional part of pregnancy. Most women have a shower for at least the first baby. Showers for second or subsequent pregnancies are becoming more common. Many women still don't get a shower for second pregnancies. If you aren't getting a shower, but really want one, you may be considering asking someone to host the shower. This is not considered proper shower etiquette. Hosting a shower for yourself is not proper etiquette either. Although showers for second babies are becoming more common, they aren't customary. Your friends and family may still believe showers are for first babies only. Personally, I believe every baby should be celebrated. While you can't host your own shower, you can celebrate your baby after he or she is born. You can host a "Welcome Baby" party in your home at any point after the baby arrives. You may want to wait a few weeks, or a few months, before hosting the event. This way you will have a chance to recover from the birth and be ready to welcome company. You can find party supplies for welcome baby parties at your local party store or on the internet. There are plates, balloons and napkins with the phrase "Welcome Baby" printed on them. Decorate the house in a festive theme, just as you would for a baby shower. The nice thing about welcoming parties is your guests will get to meet the new arrival. The baby is the center of attention, which takes the pressure off mom. This is a great benefit if you aren't thrilled with the typical baby shower games or are uncomfortable at the center of attention. Another benefit of a welcome baby party is the gifts. While gifts aren't required, most people will bring something for the new baby. Since the baby has arrived, you are more likely to get clothing and other gender specific items that you wouldn't get at a traditional shower. Related Articles: Registering for Your Baby Shower Learn more about Pattie Hughes  Pattie Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four young children. She and her husband have been married since 1992. Pattie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University. Relevantpregnancy tags User Comments  DianeScraps (4230) 04 Mar 2007 09:18 PMsorry, but sounds like begging for gifts to me. Send an announcement and enjoy the new arrival.  Katie-Anne Gustafsson (604) 05 Mar 2007 03:03 AMIn my native UK, they don't have baby showers, and here in Sweden it's not even customary for someone to bring a gift to a new baby. One of these days I'd love to attend a baby shower, they look like great fun.  Sara Denomme (1063) 05 Mar 2007 07:52 AMI think "proper etiquette" is not so much the norm anymore - I always take active participation in my own showers and it was always a fun way for me to bond with family and friends for a special occasion, and it was always appreciated ;)  ajarvis (35) 14 Mar 2007 08:06 AMI think every baby deserves a shower. Special gifts just for them. In those baby books that you fill out there is a spot about the shower!  JalynsMom (27) 15 Mar 2007 12:08 AMI agree with Ajarvis, that every baby deserves a shower. I have friends at work and family asking me, when do I want to have have one, and this is my second child. Every birth is different...every baby is different...why not celebrite the life of a new child. It's not about begging for gifts, it's about celebriting new life and sharing it with friends and family! Sara Denomme (1063) 15 Mar 2007 06:10 PMJaylynsMom - If you really want to celebrate a birth without focusing mostly on gifts (receiving OR giving), consider the Blessingway! I loved mine. Read more about it here: http://pregnancy.families.com/blog/lets-talk-about-having-a-blessingway newmom2008 (5) 04 May 2008 05:23 PMI don't see why someone has to go without a celebration, just because nobody offered to give them a shower. Its fine to have a party to welcome the new baby after he is born. If someone has an "etiquette issue" with it and is totally offended, then you are better off without that person at your party - or in your life, for that matter. Also, if you attended other peoples' baby showers, they should take that into consideration as well.  Kara |
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