I want to have a party to celebrate our 2nd baby which will be a girl (our first was a boy). Since no one was going to give me a shower, and I don't want to ask, I am considering doing it myself. What I envision is just a nice afternoon, kid free, no cutesy games or anything since I did that with my first, and maybe even saying that gifts aren't necessary. I was at shower once that did a drawing if they brought diapers - I can do that instead of gifts... How would I word that on an invitation?
Would it be rude to just do appetizers and punch to keep down costs? Any other ideas? I want to keep it simple and inexpensive - but I don't want it to be tacky either.
I also don't want to invite everyone I know... but would hate to have people (family) feel left out. The more i think about it the more complicated it seems. I appreciate any advise.
It's in extremely poor taste to throw yourself a shower. If no one has offered to throw you a shower, try having a meet the baby party after she's born - an open house type thing where people can come and go over a few hours.
I think that sounds totally fine. Every baby needs to be celebrated. Diapers would be a great idea because those things are expensive! Congrats and I hope you have lots of fun!
IMO, a baby shower for a second baby is in rather poor taste, especially if you are throwing it for yourself! I would invite your family and friends to an open-house, kind of "meet-the-baby" thing after the birth. Pick a day, make some snacks, drinks, etc. and set a time like 12-6 for people to drop by for an hour or so....gifts should not be mentioned. Those that want to will, and those who don't won't! Congratulations!
I think that you shouldn't throw your own shower but you should wait and have an open house, or meet the baby party. It wouldn't have to be anything formal, so you could just have punch and small appetizers,if that, and you could invite everyone, so you won't leave anyone out, and then anyone who would want to come over will...
I'm not sure how old your son is, but if he is old enough to understand presents, you might want to consider having a few little presents on hand for him, so that he doesn't feel left out when the baby gets all the attention and presents!
We had a Beer for Diapers party for our second baby. I put on the Invite "Beer for Diapers" - 1 package of diapers per family needed as 'admission' to the party. Beer, hotdogs, brats and fish provided. We ended up spending around $150 dollars for the whole thing - about 25 people showed up but my son is 5 months old and we have yet to buy a package of diapers and have 5 or 6 boxes still! I doubt we'll have to buy diapers before he turns 1. Everyone thought it was really fun!
I'm going to be honest, this all sounds a little weird to me. If your family is invested enough in the shower that they'd actually feel left out if they weren't invited, maybe you can ask one of them to throw it for you?
Otherwise, if this is truly just a party to celebrate the baby and not a gift grab, I'd say maybe wait until after she is born and then have a "meet the baby" party. I'm sure people will bring presents regardless of what you do. People can't seem to help themselves from buying baby girl clothes.
Congratulations on the impending birth of your daughter.
I have to agree with the previous post regarding the shower being in somewhat bad taste. I was invited to a shower for a second pregnancy a few years back and felt that it was very rude and only being done to get gifts. This woman actually went as far as creating a new registry. I did purchase a small gift, but purely out of obligation and I did not attend the shower.
I agree that every baby needs to be celebrated, but perhaps it should occur after the baby has arrived. If I were you, I would take the money I would have spent on the "shower" to get new things for the baby that you like and know you will use. If it is about gifts, I'm sure she will get some once she arrives.
