"virtual" baby shower?

Twiggymommy

I live in Georgia but am from New York. The only family I have here in GA is my grandmother who wants to throw me a baby shower, which is great! However most of my family is in either NY FL or California. My aunt in NY told me she wants to throw me a virtual baby shower so the whole family can join in. I'm not sure how that would work though. Like do I sit at home on the computer and pretend to be there while everyone in my family fights over screen time with me? Any one else have a virtual baby shower? Can someone please explain how it's supposed to work?

FemShep

Yes, a virtual baby shower has you opening gifts over Skype (or similar). I think there are many ways for your family to celebrate and support you that don't come off quite so odd and gift grabby. I'd decline the virtual shower if I were you; anyone who would like to send you a gift can do so without an awkward set up where they watch you open a bunch of gifts on a computer screen.

vixey

I would decline the shower.  I don't think there is any way to make a virtual shower not weird and awkward.

Twiggymommy

It does seem iffy to me. Like I understand I'm supposed to be the center of attention for my baby shower but I don't know if I like the idea of sitting in front of the computer opening gifts saying my thank yous and then what? It seems VERY gift grabby and Awish. I'm not sure how to decline though because she sounded so exited when she thought of the idea

lexusolsen

My cousin just moved to Lousiana in her second tri. Her sisters (in Idaho and Hawaii) and I (in Cali) told the family we would be mailing boxes on a certain date. If they had something to send, great. Not everyone participated (which wasnt a problem) and we sent them as a surprise "shower in a box". We wanted her to know we were thinking of her, even though she was so far away.

bingbongsmama

chrisy_01 said:

I was invited to a virtual shower a few years ago. It seemed a bit gift grabby. However the MTB (DH's relative) is a gift grabby person. She didn't even send out thank you notes. But the whole shower felt odd compared to a traditional shower

I was thinking about it from a different perspective. Seems like the gift givers can't just send a gift, they want to watch you open it and make sure they get public credit.

I suppose it could just be a way for people to share in the fun while they're far away. If you're uncomfortable with it, nothing wrong with declining.

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EastCoastBride

Yeah..... just say no.  If people want to send a gift, they will.  I just find the concept really odd and even if done w/ good intentions - it's awkward.  Yes, you're sitting at a PC while everyone is celebrating "for" you.

 

 

mjberube89

Hmmmm... Definitely awkward. Maybe it wouldn't be so weird if you Skype with every person who sends you a gift? On separate dates of course. Or maybe if you did one of those group google chat things where people on multiple laptops, even in multiple locations, can all chat at the same time. Definitely awkward to have a virtual shower though.

RibbitGrl930

Yeah. It just sounds icky. I'd feel very awkward being on either end of that. 

dufferoo

I'd at least ask your aunt what she has in mind, but if it's going to be anything like what everyone here is describing, it sounds pretty terrible to me!

VOR

potterowl said:

I think an option to include people who are far away is to have a traditional shower and skype in people who attend but I think it is weird to have everyone in different locations!

Trust me, no shower is SO important to me that I need to Skype in to watch a party going on that I can't take part in. 

Twiggymommy

UPDATE: we both decided that since the baby is due in April, she's going to coordinate with the whole family to fly in and have a "meet the baby" in mid/late June after the kids get out of school. We decided it was much better. And if any one wants to send the baby a gift, they're gonna send it to my grandmother's house so I can still open all the presents together and have a list of people/presents so I know who to send thankyous to and for what. Lol

mjberube89

Lol I think that's a much better idea!! And I've actually been to a baby shower that was thrown after the baby was born. It was a ton of fun. I'd actually go so far to say it was even more fun because everyone got to hold the baby and give the new mom a break. It was really great. I'm glad you were both able to agree on this.

BeesKnees181

I am having mybaby shower in Utah but we have family in Pittsburgh that want to see me open gifts.  So I am doing a Skype session for our family in Pittsburgh while I open gifts.  I think it is a cool idea!  I do not think it is tacky at all.  It is just family that wants to be included in the shower, but cannot afford plane tickets to be here.  Excited to have more people join in on the fun  In any case, I would much rather they visit after the babies are born.

youngk

I am in agreement that there is nothing wrong with the concept. I am throwing a virtual shower for my sister in law. She lives in Ohio now, but her family and friends are in Cali. They should not spend $ on a plane ticket until after the baby comes. Are you people telling me I should try not to include her mom or sister and childhood friends? If they feel awkward they don't have to participate.

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