2 shower questions...location and timing...

brookekubath

We are going to throw a couples/family shower for the baby.  We want everyone to help us celebrate, kids included!  I really want my little brother to be there but he is getting deployed to Afganistan in May.  We will need to have the shower the first week in April (kind of early since I'm not due until July.)  Because we are doing it so early in NW Indiana, we need an indoor location.  Two questions, do you think people we be put off because we are doing it so early (I will almost be 7 months)?  And do you have any fun ideas for a couples indoor shower?

EastCoastBride

I think people will be put off that you are throwing your own shower.  Doesn't matter when.

megdrew1218

I agree with pp. Is this something you're hosting? I'd suggest a meet the baby party that you host yourself in July or August, but not a full blown shower. I know you want your brother involved, but I'd avoid hosting a party revolving around the baby or calling it a baby shower for his sake  - if you're hosting.

Why don't you put your time and effort into your family getting together as a celebration for your brother?  Have it in the afternoon at hall or some reception site and hire a photographer to come do a big family picture. For your brother, not for you or your baby. He's going to need a good sendoff and have good memories of all his family together. He'll feel good that everyone went out of their way to see him and he'll think about that when he's deployed.

brookekubath

I'm not hosting... my mom and MIL are.  I did request that we do it in April so my brother can be part of it and then they asked me for ideas as to where to have it.  They want to make sure everyone invited will enjoy it...

Legally Nads

My friend also had a large couples/family shower and it was indoors in the Fall (October) and she was due January. They had it at her church's rec room and did burgers-- it was also pot luck in that she asked the guests to bring stuff like chips, dip, etc.. It was fun, but the guys were kind of weirded out by shower games-- so I would avoid those, or at least make some guy-friendly (who can chug beer/soda from a baby bottle the fastest, trivia about the Dad-to-be, etc...). If its cold outside, sometimes its fun to do a tropical island theme indoors--- lei 's, fruity drinks, tiki decorations. I went to a Luau in January when there was snow outside and it was so fun to pretend we were at an island getaway.

mysticporter

I don't think people will be put off, particularly given that your friends and family will probably know and understand the reason.  We had a couples indoor shower, it was much more like a typical party than a shower (there was beer/wine, snack food to munch on, not too many typical shower games but more card games, music, that sort of thing).  We had a lot of fun (this was much more our style). 

jolibebe

As far as indoor co-ed shower, that is what we are doing.  My hostess has arranged for a poker table with diapers as the buy-in.  Hostess is going to provide cigars to any guys that want one as a shower gift.  There is also a flat screen t.v. set up in their poker area so they can have sports on or whatever they want.  Just to help them feel comfortable with something to do in-between mingling and us opening gifts, etc if they don't want to sit there the whole time.