Tell me if this no-game shower idea is lame...

HapaLisa

Hello ladies! 

My dear sisters are throwing me a shower and I have requested No Games.   Instead, I want to do a project that everyone could work on while I am opening gifts and would take the place of games.  That way, no games and no boring sitting-around-watching-me-open-gifts.  Here's my idea:

Instead of a "Motherly Advice" scrapbook, I wanted everyone to write a letter to the baby.  They can include advice, drawings, or just tell the baby how excited they are for his arrival, etc.... anything they want to tell him.  Then they can decorate the page (I've already bought the super-cute papers and stickers and things!) and put it into a scrapbook for a personal keepsake for the baby. 

When I told my sisters my idea and they thought it was "cute" but didn't really seem that into it (I think they would rather we play games).  I also feel really controlling and know I shouldn't be putting in my two cents for my own shower.... but I thought it would be so adorable and much more personal this way that I couldn't help it   I actually felt that if I came up with an idea then it would get them off the hook from having to think of something to do in the place of games.

My opinionated behavior aside, can you honestly tell me what you think of this idea?  And would you like to do this if you were a guest?  TIA!!

seniah_05

I think that is a great idea - I'd enjoy it.

surprisebaby4us2009

I love the idea... If your sisters are stuck on games let them do a couple and just do this while your are doing gifts.  Just let them know you dont want games to drag forever! 

 

 

stinabella

I think it's a cute idea.  I just had my shower this weekend and told my sister I was anti-games.  She said we had to play at least one.  So I found this name the animal baby printout and everyone had 2 minutes to fill it in.  I also found a game that you used paper plates and pens, had the guest put the plate on top of their head and draw a picture of a baby, the best lookin' baby won.  Both games took a total of 5 minutes, super quick and everyone commented on it after the party that it was refreshing not to play the "ordinary" shower games.

howleyshell

I did something similar for a shower I hosted for twins.

I had the guests create a "time capsule" for the babies to open on their 16th birthday.

Everything from info about the year they were born to advice on being a teenager.

The Mom & Dad wrote letters to the kids too.

I will label them and seal them with wax for the kids to break open on their 16th birthday!

The guests seemed to enjoy it. ?They were snickering about how they would handle 16 if they got a "re-do".

One of the guests told the Mom that her son (twins are one boy and one girl) that her son was gonna be the coolest stud in school after reading her dating advice to him.

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The Mom loved it!

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Dan&Maggie

I think it's a great idea. No one really likes shower games, anyway. Maybe tell your sisters that there is a "2 game limit" if they really feel that they need to do games, but I think your idea is awesome.

ilenegrace

I agree with the 2 game rule! I've been to some marathon showers and they just dragged on. I think your idea is really cute, maybe you can expand upon it a little further, you don't want your guests sitting around twiddling their thumbs either so maybe come up with some additional activities for the baby like decorating plain white onesies with fabric paint.

angiec418

I think that's a really awesome idea! It would be fun to see what everyone wrote! We did that at my bridal shower--everyone wrote me and hubby a letter in a journal with advice and encouragement. It was really sweet.

I would play at least 1 game, maybe 2, because most people will be expecting it since EVERYONE plays games. Just do short games like bingo or something, that way your sisters will be happy (and prolly some of your guests) and YOU will be happy too with just 1 or 2 small games.

 

...I just might steal your idea for my shower. I was planning on making tons of scrapbooks for the baby so I might have everyone do that. My sister's throwing my party and she'd like that idea. She's already said that she doesn't want to play a bunch of boring games--she wants it to be fun and interesting.

 

Good luck and enjoy your party!!!

Bcbscorp

My coworker did a scrapbook bridal shower for her daughter, she had everyone make a page and put a picture of them and the bride from that day! I thought it was a cute idea!

MamaTully

I'm not a huge fan of games at shower either. I found this great book at www.guestbookstore.com. Each guest can fill out a page that asks questions like how they know the babies mom and dad, estimate the delivery date, babies weight, etc... It's a really cute and unique non-game to play!

northtamarack

I absolutely hate games at showers, so I would love to attend your shower and make a page!  Plus, what a fun thing for the baby to have. 

clberry6492

your idea is fantastic! the only people who like playing games are the kids and they will like making something just as well! i dont blame you for not wanting to play games. my one shower was actually an open house so no one had to sit there, play games and stare at me the entire time i opened presents! i think you do deserve some input into the shower- its for you and the baby, so it should reflect your personality. (not that you should plan your own shower or take over)

tanya8

I love the idea!  It is a shower for you...they should listen to your idea! 

hopefulmom

Personally I wouldn't like to do it...but then I'm not in the least creative.  Maybe eveyrone you've invited are so they wouldn't have a problem.  I'd just as soon play the games, especially if I'm around people I don't know.  I guess I'm about the only one on here who goes to showers and only know the mom-to-be...because sitting around watching everyone talk is not much fun.  It is surprising how many people still just stay in their own little circle and do not include someone who is obviously not related and not friends with other's there.  Obviously I can't monopolize the mom-to-be!  As for doing it during the gift opening...what are you going to do before that time?  Or are you having a very short shower...just some food and then the gift opening.  Most people like to watch the mom-to-be open gifts so wouldn't want to be doing a "project".

jesssy1204

having no games is ok...if that is what you want! you might like this idea that we are going to do at mine....

go online and find letters... print each letter out on one piece of paper.. if you have to find number do so.

at the shower give each person a letter/number and have them color it.  once that is done you can make an alphabet book...

cstw

Alternatively, you could make it more of a "guest book" that the guests can contribute to at their leisure during the shower instead of forcing them to do the pages while you open gifts.

jolis_petits_bijoux

I think it's a good idea.  I think it's kinda weird that they won't take your opinion into consideration (I always consider the guest-of-honor's opinion when hosting a shower).  But, ultimately, they are throwing the shower... and if they don't want to do this, and they want to play games... that's their call.  So, if they're adamant that they want to do traditional games and not the activity, there isn't much that you can do about it.

I like activities - I've been to two showers where in lieu of games, we made a quilt for baby as an activity.  Every guest got a muslin square, and there were fabric pens and Sharpies at each table.  The hostess provided stencils of cute things like teddy bears, balloons, etc. (for the "artistically challenged" guests)... we all signed our squares.  Then, someone with sewing skills makes them all into a quilt for baby.  Another very cute idea.

egsquared

hopefulmom:

Personally I wouldn't like to do it...but then I'm not in the least creative.  Maybe eveyrone you've invited are so they wouldn't have a problem.  I'd just as soon play the games, especially if I'm around people I don't know.  I guess I'm about the only one on here who goes to showers and only know the mom-to-be...because sitting around watching everyone talk is not much fun.  It is surprising how many people still just stay in their own little circle and do not include someone who is obviously not related and not friends with other's there.  Obviously I can't monopolize the mom-to-be!  As for doing it during the gift opening...what are you going to do before that time?  Or are you having a very short shower...just some food and then the gift opening.  Most people like to watch the mom-to-be open gifts so wouldn't want to be doing a "project".

I agree with this.  I wouldn't want to do it.  I am not creative and would feel a lot of pressure to write a letter.  I think too it would have to depend on the crowd.  I'm only having one shower that will include a lot of my mom's friends and people I hardly know.  I'm not sure how much I'd want a book full of stuff from people I don't know and the baby won't know.  If it's just your close friends, it would be better.  Just my opinion though.

kiarox2002

I hate games and we didn't have any at my shower per my request. ?Everyone that I spoke with afterwards commented on how much fun they had at the shower and how excited they were that there were no games. ?That being said, I have hosted showers where we *did* play games because that is what the guest of honor wanted. ?

As for the baby book, I would feel a bit pressured to create a page for a baby book and I'm a regular scrapbooker, but it could be fun depending on your guests. ?My hostess made little advice cards that people could write advice on. ?Some people wrote a lot, some people only a little, but everyone really liked it as there was very little pressure. ?

Either way, I think that your hostesses should listen to your input.?

jsnowdisco

I will be doing the Onesies thing.  We are having a big co-ed party with all of our friends and family and want something that everyone will have fun with.  I am getting a bunch of different sizes (newborn to 12 mo) and some non-toxic fabric paint with stencils, and stamps to make it easy and fun for everyone.  we are going to have one done to show as an example.  I'm sure we will end up with a game or two, but it will be a big indoor-outdoor BBQ and to get everyone in one place will be a hassle. 

Any food suggestions for a group this size would be great!