Thank you gift for shower host(s)?

KreecherMom

I'm assuming it's proper etiquette to get a little thank you gift for the person/people throwing you a baby shower?! Am I wrong? If not, any ideas or suggestions? I have three sisters and they are collectively hosting.

yl1m32015

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/12617167#Comment_12617167

I've honestly never heard or thought of that. I think it'd be very sweet to do so, but just more things to spend money on. When it's friends or sisters, I would just assume that when it's their time, you'll return the favor and host for them. A gift may not be necessary, but if it's something you really want to do, it's a nice thought.

ammnam14

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/12617167#Comment_12617167

My mom is the main host of my shower. I'm thinking of taking her to get her nails done, since that's what she likes. For my wedding shower the hostesses received Victoria Secret sprays and lotions. What do your hosts like? Also, it is a nice thought but it is not always expected (in my circle anyways). They are hosting this for YOU. I'm sure they are not expecting anything in return.

spottedginger

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/12617167#Comment_12617167

In my social circle, it is traditional to give a gift to shower hostesses. It doesn't have to be anything big, but is a nice way to show appreciation and gratitude for the hosts' efforts. I'm still working on ideas.

kimb311

I did for my shower for DD. my 2 best friends co-hosted it. We had a store where you could make your own jewelry. I can't remember the name, Potomac bead company, or something like that. I went in and selected the stones and made them each a necklace and earring set. Maybe $20 each. I would say it's not expected but a nice gesture. And I agree with PP something small.

Mags128

My sister hosted my shower.. I actually got her the Alex and Ani aunt charm since it was her first niece. I think she appreciated it.

Court11152325

My niece sells scentsy, so I was going to get a warmer and a couple different smells to go with it for the friend hosting my shower. She's spending a good amount of money and time, and I'm not sure I'll get the chance to return the favor for her in the future. I don't know if it's proper etiquette, but I can't imagine the etiquette police on here could poo poo getting at least a little something for the host(s).

beccabeeee

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/12617167#Comment_12617167

I don't think there's any etiquette rule saying you have to get the hosts and guests a little gift, but I think it's super sweet that your thinking about that. I'd say maybe just for your sisters to show your appreciation? The last baby shower I went to the guests got a little gift bag if they won a game. And I second the lotion and spray idea, That's what I won and I loved it!

willashbaby

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/12617167#Comment_12617167

I think it's a nice idea. My Mother and Aunt are throwing my family shower and I will probably get them all a little something, when my friends throw my "friend" shower I will probably buy them all a round of drinks as thanks

littleSkittle14

It's a nice idea but definitely not necessary. I would say it IS necessary to write them a nice thank you card after the fact.

hardlyhannah

So my shower has 4 hosts and I got them all something small, spent about $30 each. Each gift is individual to them and I know I won't be able to throw a party for them in return. My mom is one of the hosts and she's having it at her house so in addition to my gift I'm going to get her flowers.

I was struggling on when to give the gift and I think I'm going to do it after the party wraps up so they don't have to worry about finding a place to put it during the party.

It's not required but was definitely something I wanted to do for them to show my appreciation!

raq_2020

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/12617167#Comment_12617167

Yep, this is something that we do in my family & group of friends. Usually it's something like gourmet chocolate covered strawberries or a candle or something similar. For my bridal shower, I got my aunt, cousin & sister personalized stationery from erincondren.com & sent it with their thank you cards.

For my in laws, I think I sent them candles with pretty candle holders from bath and body works.

I don't think it's a big deal if you don't give a gift, so long as you write a thank you card.

Peanut1128

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/12617167#Comment_12617167

I think a hostess gift is a nice way to show appreciation for someone spending money and time to throw you a shower. Even a small gift like flowers, yummy candle or a gift card would be a nice gesture.

JElizbetty

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/12617167#Comment_12617167

I've never heard of that, but for my wedding my Aunt and Mom did a lot for me so I had flowers delivered to them a few days later.

Magnolia+Mama

I received some personalized memo paper from expressionary.com after hosting a shower for a work friend. It was inexpensive but super thoughtful and I really appreciated the guesture. I gifted it to me baby shower hostesses when I was pregnant with DD #1.

stickybun14

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/12617167#Comment_12617167

Oh goodness I hadn't even thought about it!! Glad you brought this up OP. My mum and my sister helped put massively for my wedding so I got them a decent vouched for their favorite day spa. They are also doing my baby shower so I think I will get them some nice flowers. We have a beautiful fresh flower market up here so I can pick some up on my way back home for the shower.

I was also going to get my nephew a little gift as well because for once a gathering won't be about him! He is only 2 and he loves little toys that have babies. So I'm thinking a Puppy Surprise as we can try to explain that auntie has a baby in her tummy too. Last time I was down my mum rubbing my belly and told him that auntie has a baby in there. Poor thing looked so confused.

kmkaull2

It is good etiquette, IMO. I think I gave monogrammed totes to a couple of my shower co-hosts.  For the other shower, I gave my friend a bottle of wine and a gift card to a restaurant.

ketobaby

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/12617167#Comment_12617167

I've never really thought about this and I think it's a great idea. When does everyone plan on giving these gifts? At the shower or at a later date?

VesperLove

I know nothing about proper baby shower etiquette but I always do a small host gift for anyone who throws me a party of any kind. I did it for my wedding shower, I've done it for people who throw me birthday parties (in the past). I just feel like a nice thank you is appropriate ... but, by nice I don't mean something super over the top. I got my mom and sister (hosts of my wedding shower) each a small frame to put a photos of us in from the shower. For birthday parties I've just given them a bottle of wine or even just a nice card as a thank you (depending on the person).

My mom and sister are hosting my baby shower as well and I'll likely either give them some flowers or even just a nice card with a Starbucks gift card in it (they both love coffee).

I never usually spend more than $15 on a thank you gift like that.

momotheflyinglemur

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/12617167#Comment_12617167

I'm making a "grandma" oragami owl locket for my MiL who is hosting and paying for my shower. She took me to a jewelry show for this brand a few months back but didn't get one for herself. I am making it in such a way that she will be able to add to it when she has more grandbabies.

raq_2020

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/12617167#Comment_12617167

ketobaby said:

I've never really thought about this and I think it's a great idea. When does everyone plan on giving these gifts? At the shower or at a later date?

I usually mail it after so I can include the thank you note.

poupoule

Reviving this post ...

A colleague at work is really happy to throw me a Baby Shower at work (everyone will be here). She is gonna make it a french theme, and will cook and bake for everyone. I think that is just super super sweet and I really want to thank her with a gift afterward, but I don't know her that much, we are never seeing each other outside work. I feel like everyone is kind of thrown into the shower without even knowing me so well, I know they don't have to buy gifts or anything, but omg I don't feel like being the center of attention, I need a plan lol.

For now, my plan during the shower is to smile and say thank you. But then, if I see people I barely know gave me gifts, I should probably give them a little thank you card at least right ? That would seem logic to me. Except I don't even know their address and giving it by hand feels super weird lol.

Then, the colleague who planned the party and did all the hard work, I should find a gift for her right ?

megs416

I had no idea that hostess gifts were a thing. I have hosted lots of bridal and baby showers and never received a gift. HOWEVER, my aunt and cousins hosted a bridal shower for me and it caused unnecessary family drama when I did not buy them hostess gifts.

My sister and step-mom are hosting my baby shower and don't care if I get them gifts. But, I will most likely buy them massage gift cards anyway.

avfarley

If you are looking for an easy gift idea t - for my recent baby shower I gave all the hostess a big, cute coffee cup (I found cute ones on sale at Pier One for around 8 dollars) and I put a few packages of hot chocolate in each and a biscotti stick and wrapped it in cellophane.

chelock

I hosted my sister-in-law's shower and she got me a Vera Bradley wristlet which I loved. My BFF just hosted an amazing shower for me and I made her a shower themed gift basket which I gave her before guests arrived. I found a cute basket and added in a small umbrella, a rain scented candle, shower gel, bath pouf, and a box of tea. Cost under $20!

poupoule

That's cute. I guess I could do something like that... After thinking about it all day, I was thinking maybe I could do an illustration of her as a Super-hostess, like a comic-girl book. And if the two other colleagues help I could add them like a band of super-heroes for my shower ? Without them I would not have any at all

What do you think ?

TomekiaB

@poupoule if the shower will be at work and the host isn't mailing invites I think you can probably just hand deliver your thank you notes since there wont be a list of addresses. If the host mails invites I'd ask for a copy of the addresses for the thank you notes. Some people do address labels or envelops so guests can write down their addresses at the shower but I think that might be hard to get done at a party.

Shower etiquette for work is a little different typically than one with family and friends (for example typically if someone goes to a bridal shower they are supposed to be invited to the wedding--work showers are often the exception to these types of rules since work celebrations are usually more about consistency among employees and are full of people you aren't super close too--most people love an excuse for junk food and down time while on the clock though!). If you being on maternity leave will increase the workload of your coworkers I'd consider a thank you gift for the office while you are gone that might make it more pleasant for them (like some nice coffee for the office coffee pot).

lalg28

I've never heard of that. Just thank you cards is all we do. And like a PP said, I think it's understood you'll return the favor some day.

poupoule

@TomekiaB Yes it is at the office, I guess I could drop them on their desks if I come early one day before anyone comes in lol

I probably won't return the favor as they already had kids ! But who knows, maybe for a big birthday or something?

I like the coffee pot idea. Maybe some nice wine glasses for the new beer/wine tap they got in the office.

susiaustin

stickybun14 said:

Oh goodness I hadn't even thought about it!! Glad you brought this up OP. My mum and my sister helped put massively for my wedding so I got them a decent vouched for their favorite day spa. They are also doing my baby shower so I think I will get them some nice flowers. We have a beautiful fresh flower market up here so I can pick some up on my way back home for the shower.

I was also going to get my nephew a little gift as well because for once a gathering won't be about him! He is only 2 and he loves little toys that have babies. So I'm thinking a Puppy Surprise as we can try to explain that auntie has a baby in her tummy too. Last time I was down my mum rubbing my belly and told him that auntie has a baby in there. Poor thing looked so confused.

My niece is a little older, she totally gets it, and it's adorable. She tells everyone that her "baby cousin Evangeline is living in Aunties belly, she's growing in a pool of blood and bubbles" the last part kind creepy, but she decided it on her own.

Definitely think it a good idea to get something small for the hosts. Candles or something like PP suggested sounds like some great ideas. My sister didn't do anything for her hosts, but it ok I inherited a lot of hand me downs for my daughter from her so I'm OK, it's better than her spending money. That and the priceless video of the card at the table going on fire because my sister in her mommy brain decided it was a good idea to have it too close to open candles.... Americas funnies home videos stuff!

KreecherMom

Just wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts - I wound up getting each of my sisters a Vera Bradley umbrella - you know... to thank them for throwing me a "shower."  I saw that idea somewhere and thought it was cute.  And I was able to keep costs down.

My co-workers did surprise me this week with a cake and a gift...for them, I think a handwritten thank you will suffice.

CArden74

I bought her a bottle of wine I thought she would enjoy from a local vinyard when I was visiting our VA property.

Gingermom15

I bought mine a really nice ceramic travel mug because she is a big coffee drinker. I threw in some of her favorite candy and chocolate. We will find out tomorrow if she likes it.

mac-n-cheesy

So any advice on this one:
My SIL is throwing mine in a few weeks and she also threw one for her own sister's first child several years back. Her sister gifted her with an iPad for throwing the shower, and while DH and I are in a good financial position I feel this is a bit much.
My SIL throwing my shower recently was baptized Catholic and is very into the church and also loves her wine. So I was thinking maybe a very nice bottle of wine and a beautiful (but not extravagant) cross necklace since she wears one daily but the one she wears does not have sentimental value. Thoughts?

acevans1315

It all depends on what youre comfortable with. A gift for your hostesses won't be expected, but will definitely be appreciated! My shower hasn't taken place yet, but what I've purchased so far for my three hosts are some handmade healing crystal necklaces from Etsy. I'm planning on also writing some nice handwritten thank you cards and possibly a nice candle from homegoods for the girls too.

KreecherMom

@lynem29 - I think that's a lovely idea!