What are the rules here?

amanda.beth

Hey, ladies! I could use some etiquette guidance on my situation, please!

I had a friend ask me a few days ago if I would like to have a friends shower. I think that would be fun, but I already have a church shower, work shower, and small family shower (this is the tradition in my family). Would it be inappropriate to suggest to her a baby sprinkle, sip and see, or whatever you want to call it, after the baby is born? And if I do that, would I need to host it? I wouldn't mind hosting it, as we will have just moved and it might be a good chance for my girlfriends to see the baby and our new place, especially since we're moving about 45 minutes away.

However, I would not expect them to bring gifts if I was hosting it, but they probably would anyway, which makes me kind of uncomfortable. Should I just let my girlfriend host something after the baby is born? Or agree to a regular shower? 

Thanks in advance for your advice! I'm usually pretty good at this stuff, but I just don't know how to navigate this one! 

ILoveRedVino

If it were me, I'd probably just have a regular shower.  That being said... a meet-the-baby party is fine as long as you're ok with passing the baby around.

jcole32444

I would also just accept the friend shower. Celebrate it with your friends and have fun. I would prefer that over a meet the baby party. But if there is some reason you do not want another shower decline the invitation and you can host a meet the baby party after if you choose.

Marion&Kit

I just wanted to throw my two cents in here -

I was in absolutely NO shape for any travelling or party until DD was around 2 months old. It was a struggle just to make sure I was showered and dressed for the day for those first few weeks, let alone hosting or attending a party.

I'd take her up on a shower - maybe explain the situation, and just say you have so many showers already, can you just do something low key, etc. etc.

useurname

I would just let her give you a shower.  Then you wouldn't have to worry about it later.  Your feelings may change later to having a sip and see.

MelleTX

Definitely accept the shower. This is a "friends" shower. They want to celebrate with you and the atmosphere will be completely different from work, family or church showers. Maybe suggest a girls lunch. 

rhubarb123

Personally I'd probably just have her host the friend's shower if this is your first child.  If you would like to incorporate a "meet the baby party" along with a get together to show off your new place then maybe she could host that.  I can't imagine not being in any kind of shape to host a "meet the baby party" until my baby was 2 months old.  Unless there were some major complications with delivery I just can't imagine that.  I've had both vag delivery and c-section and I had no problem hosting a BBQ/Meet the baby party when our DS was 3-4 weeks old (and I had 2 other kids).  BTW...NO ONE asked to hold him (my mom wouldn't have let them anyway).  lol

Aspen436

I agree, accept the offer!  That's so sweet of your girlfriends!!!  I think they want to do something special for you to celebrate that you are having a baby!  I'm sure they have been talking and saying they want to throw you a little shower.  That's why they asked you...  so I would just graciously accept the offer and let them make the plans for you.  They want to give you gifts for your little one without troubling you.

I think it's so nice of you to offer your house, but the only problem I see with that is that if it is a new house...they might feel like it takes away from the baby shower thing and it will feel more like a house warming type of party.  Ya know what I mean?  Then they might feel like they need to bring two gifts...one for the baby and one for your new home?  You can always invite them over to your house as a "thank you" to them...order pizza and have a girls night so they can see your new house!  Or maybe after the baby arrives...I'm sure they will come to visit the baby and see the house at that time!!!