A display shower may not be the choice for everyone, though. Douglass points out that it can create a sticky situation for guests who are giving an extremely personal (or racy!) gift. "So it's important to mention that gifts, while appreciated, are not necessary."
6. Let's Celebrate! You'll spend the first part of the shower eating, drinking and mingling with your guests. The main event—opening gifts—usually takes place during coffee and dessert.
Traditional etiquette dictates that the maid of honor—not the mother of the bride—should host the shower. Anyone who's close to the bride, including her mother, sister, aunt, cousin, even her grandma, can host.
When should you send out invitations? Mail bridal shower invitations as early as possible to account for busy schedules and time conflicts. If many guests will be local, aim to send the invites four to six weeks before the event.
While traditional baby showers consist of women only, co-ed baby showers are becoming more and more common. However, if you're looking to throw a traditional baby shower and still have the dad-to-be attend, this is completely acceptable and appropriate as most dad-to-be's will want to thank guests before they leave.
The 7 Manners of Opening Gifts
- Know the little-known meaning of “thank you.â€
- Open the card first.
- Have the giver present in the room.
- Say thank you in this special way.
- Deal graciously with duplicate gifts.
- Keep the gift in its packaging during the party.
- Write down who gave you what.
Most families open their presents early in the morning and then get together for dinner later in the day. However, some families open presents on Christmas Eve, even though is out of tradition. My family typically opens one present on Christmas Eve, then, the rest the following morning.
Thank them for the gift and appreciate them for thinking of you ! No, actually, it's exactly the opposite. Etiquette rules say you have to open the gift immediately and show appreciation for it. It's rude not to open it in front of the person who gave you the gift.
Yes. Assuming she will be getting together with some people during the weekend to celebrate she should be all means be allowed to open her gifts. Then, if you are going to have another cake (smaller or just a cupcake) and a sort of family only celebration on Monday, save a gift for her to open then.
Presents can spur a whole host of uncomfortable, jealous, unworthy and disparaging feelings for the children who attend a child's birthday party. If you don't open gifts at the party or even say no gifts at all, this eliminates any hurt or discomforting feelings.
You may choose to open your gifts at the reception. At larger weddings, opening gifts is usually done sometime after the wedding. If you do open your gifts at the wedding, do so shortly after the cake has been cut, but wait until after the reception to open the cards.
7 Ways To Make Opening Presents Less Awkward
- Open the card first.
- Exclaim something before saying thank you.
- Smile—even if you hate it.
- Don't toss it aside the second you open it.
- Follow up later.
- Don't lose the gift receipt.
- If it's truly heinous/ridiculous/WTF, snap a sneaky pic and post it on whydidyoubuymethat.com.
Anyways, here's how to give gifts without being (too) awkward.
- Choose a good gift.
- In general, avoid giving money.
- Avoid crappy gifts.
- Avoid gifts that could be misinterpreted.
- Give gifts at the proper occasions.
- What to say when giving a gift.
- What NOT to say when giving a gift.
Typical costs: A baby shower typically costs $100-$1,000, depending on the number of guests, the menu and location. Many baby showers are held in a home with finger foods provided by the host or hostess, typically with 15-40 guests.
Yes, it is totally within etiquette rules for a mom to host a baby shower for her pregnant daughter to be. Etiquette rules have changed quite a bit and as far as etiquette rules go, the only person who is not allowed to host a baby shower is the mom to be.
12 Awesome Baby Shower Activities and Ideas that Aren't Games
- Diaper Raffle. Via MrsAlexPaul.com.
- Bring a Book Instead of a Greeting Card. Via CuldesacCool.com.
- Supportive Diaper Messages.
- Have a Keepsake “Guestbook”
- Baby's First Alphabet Book Activity.
- Onesie Making Station.
- Advice & Wishes Cards.
- Polaroid Photobooth.
How Many People To Invite To Baby Shower. The average size of a baby shower is 25 people. It is easy to host such a number of guests whether it is in a house or a virtual baby shower. However, the number of guests you should have at a baby shower is not cast in stone.
Jeans are okay. Skinny jeans are cute, especially white jeans, which are acceptable to wear to a baby shower, unlike a bridal shower. Of course you can always wear a casual dress to a casual shower, but we'll show you some tops to wear here, because cute tops are always harder to find than dresses.
Whether you plan on having only finger foods or an entire menu at the baby shower, here are some ideas for the savory food:
- Mini mac and cheese.
- Bacon-wrapped dates.
- Spinach-and-garlic palmiers.
- Puff pastry cheese sticks.
- Tea sandwiches.
- Mini meatball sliders.
- Pull-apart bread.
- Salsa, guacamole, and tortilla chips.
Historically, baby showers have been an exclusively female affair. Nowadays, men do go to baby showers and dads-to-be are perfectly welcome to celebrate showers with their partners. Male friends and family members making appearances at baby showers have also become increasingly common.
Here are some tips and tricks to actually having fun at your own shower.
- Make it co-ed.
- Hold a separate one for friends and for relatives.
- Make it three hours—max.
- Serve lots of alcohol.
- Make an anonymous tip box labelled “unsolicited advice”
- Pick a convenient location.
- Buy yourself a new outfit for the occasion.
How to Plan a Baby Shower
- Select a date and time. Consult with the guest of honor to choose a date and time for her party.
- Determine the guest list and budget.
- Choose a venue.
- Send the invitations.
- Plan the menu and decor.
- Come up with an agenda.
- Pick baby shower favors.
A Jack & Jill shower is more or less a co-ed baby shower where not only can the mother-to-be and her gal pals and family celebrate but the father-to-be and his male friends and family can also join in.
So, in order to throw a low-key baby shower celebration with minimal prep, I recommend the following:
- Don't go too crazy on decor.
- Definitely have snacks & a mock-tail (with the option of adding alcohol!)
- Have some kind of fun, optional activity.
So, a baby sprinkle is designed to help her stock up on the essentials or anything that her other child is still using. This can include things such as diapers, wipes, onesies, formula, stroller, a car seat, etc.
Your presence at the celebration is enough of a present. Your presence is our gift. Your presence is the best gift we can hope to receive. Your good wishes are the only gifts that we wish to receive.
Simple Wishes
- “So happy for you.â€
- “Wishing all the best for you and your baby-to-be.â€
- “Wishing you sweet times ahead…â€
- “Can't wait to meet baby!â€
- “Your family is about to get even cuter.â€
- “Blessings to baby and you.â€
- “Praying for a safe and healthy delivery for both you and baby.â€
