Baby showers
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=29450
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Topic: Baby showers
Posted By: allsopp89
Subject: Baby showers
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 2:17pm
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Hi all, this is my first post so please bear with me.
I was just wondering what your thoughts were on baby showers. I was talking to a woman at the weekend who sells baby products through parties. She described it "just like tupperware but with baby items". She suggested having a baby shower and inviting friends and family around. It all sounded good but I am not sure what friends and family would think about me holding my own party. Your thoughts are welcomed. Thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: BugTeeny
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 2:26pm
A baby shower is a pregnant woman's right! 
To be surrounded by her family and friends before giving birth. Good way to get lots of gorgeous things for baby
I had a small gathering, but it was nice. I've been to some big shin-digs. They're fun 
*edited for spelling ------------- 
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Posted By: allsopp89
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 2:35pm
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HI MamaPickle,
Thanks for your quick response. I tend to agree with you about the "womans right thing" but I just though it would be strange asking people to come to my party and buy things on the day/night, is it cheeky? I really like the idea plus the products looked Adorable and good quality (and I get free gifts hehe). She said that they are marginly cheaper than the shops so maybe that is how I can persuade guests. |
Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 3:02pm
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allsopp89 I can understand what you are saying about it possibly being cheeky, although I think that anyone who goes to a baby shower automatically takes a present so it may not be. It may also depend on who you invite and what they are like/what they expect. Maybe talk to your Mum or a friend who you would invite and see what they think. Or maybe ask someone else to send out the invites for you so they are not actually from you but you are the one registered with the demonstrator as the host so you get the freebies, does that make sense?? ------------- Lindsey 
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Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 4:39pm
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Ooooh I think its a good idea can you PM me the contact details?? I wouldn't have it as a baby shower just coz I'm not having one this time round but I will do a party if they come to my area freebies!
Welcome to OB btw -------------   
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 6:36pm
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Probably depends on your friends and their situations and what sort of baby items she offers and the price range...for example, I personally wouldn't want to feel like I have to buy on the night especially as our family tend to give homemade gifts because quite honestly we couldn't necessarily afford other options.
I would want to know that no purchase was necessary and that I still had the option of bringing my own gift. Hopefully that all made sense. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 7:16pm
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Wouldnt mind those details either. I was induced the day of my shower with jake so will be having one next time around.
Oh and I will be organising it but it will be the same people as last time so i dont think they will mind considering they missed the party too
If you are really worried ask a friend or family member if they could "host" on your behalf -------------   
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Posted By: Emmi_
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 7:44pm
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Yeah I wouldnt mind the buying the gift there, considering (im assuming) you can set up registrys with the shops, so its basically the same thing!
I would just make sure that there was a wide range of prices as Paws said I would hate to go and then have to buy a 200$ gift that I couldnt afford... ------------- 
+1 May 09 Angel 
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Posted By: allsopp89
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 8:22pm
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Hi all
Thanks for your responses so far, I have just got off the phone with them and this is what they said. There is no fee for the party and no obligation to buy. She said it was not necessarily about buying gifts just for me and said that they do a whole range of everyday items so you can buy gifts for your own children or Christmas or birthday presents for others. They have a wide range including clothing, feeding, pacifiers, teathers, toys and natural skin care range, basically everything your baby would need that you would get in the likes of other high street shops. I think I am going have one as it sounds like a good way to entertain guests for a couple of hours. Thanks |
Posted By: Andriea
Date Posted: 20 October 2009 at 7:36am
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that sounds real cool would be a great idea for a antenatal class party too. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 20 October 2009 at 9:20am
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I agree with Paws mostly.
Personally I'd feel very uncomfortable about the whole thing, either as the host or as a guest. But clearly I'm in the minority, so if you think your friends would like it, do it ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Ant
Date Posted: 20 October 2009 at 12:06pm
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For starters you'd need to be very up front with your friends that it's a sales party. I know I hate to be blindsided by these things as I always feel an obligation to buy and feel bad when I don't. Especially if I know there's a hostess gift involved.
Also, if you're having a baby shower I'd want to choose the gift I give you rather than feeling my choices were limited to things they're selling on the day - it's not the same as having a registry as presumably you don't want everything they're selling and registries are a suggestion only. There is no obligation for guests to use them. I do realise I have strong, and apparently unpopular opinions about baby showers (because I have an interest in etiquette, which has strong guidelines on this). They are not a right. They are something people do for you. Many people don't get one, and that's sad, but there it is. It's because they are, by definition, gift giving events. It's awkward hosting your own because what you're saying is 'please come and buy me things for my baby that I don't want to buy myself' when what you probably think you're saying is 'please come and celebrate us having a baby'. People who want to give you gifts will give gifts, baby shower or not. The way to throw a party for a new baby yourself is to call it something other than a shower. Have it after and call it a 'meet the baby party'. Have it before and say "I'm hosting this sales party, and thought it would be nice to celebrate this pregnancy with my friends while I had everyone here. It would be lovely if you came". Sorry for the novel, and I'll hop off my soapbox now  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 20 October 2009 at 12:37pm
I'm also with you T_Rex. I wouldn't be too pleased about it as a guest, whether asked about it or not - I wouldn't like to be in a position to agree to attend and feel obliged to buy something, whether you have to or not. IYKWIM. But then I'm also not too big on gift registries either. I think gifts should be thoughtful - not something I am told/persuaded to buy. But, I do definetly agree that you deserve a Baby shower!! Mine was the best sober night out with the girls I've ever had! 
Edited, to fix spelling and clarify |
T_Rex wrote:Posted By: MuckyBucky
Date Posted: 20 October 2009 at 12:54pm
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Umm ... I must agree, it sounds a bit like a tupperware party. Personally, I would love to go to one with other pregnant ladies (maybe we should organise one for the ladies on here?) but wouldn't feel comfortable having it as a baby shower. When I think of baby showers I think of the chance for your female friends to gather, show support, play games, eat food and have a good time - they can bring you a present if they want to. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Turtle
Date Posted: 20 October 2009 at 1:17pm
| I agree with Michhell, I have always thought of baby showers as something that someone else hosts for you. If I am going to a baby shower I would want to take my own gift that I have chosen, not feel obliged to buy something on the spot. |
Posted By: rorylex
Date Posted: 20 October 2009 at 4:44pm
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im all for baby showers i love them, but i dont think its the time for a sales party as some people who would come to a baby shower might not be interested in a sales party for baby stuff. but the sales party thing does sound like a good idea for antenatal class get together sort of thing.
i had a baby shower with ds1 but not ds2 or 3 but i am having one this time as it will be ds4 so it will be fun and add some excitement to this pregnancy, a friend has offered to host it for me and to her baby showers are an absolute must do lol so i cant even back out if i wanted to now lol. ------------- Mummy to 4 boys Samuel - 18.6.05 Rory - 15.7.06 Mason - 13.06.08 Emmett - 24.01.10 Baby #5 - cooking |