Potluck baby shower brunch

Frappuccino Love

Last week one of my mommy friends from our close knit meetup group decided to kindly throw me a baby shower brunch on Sun for my 2nd son.  It will be a potluck but we kinda do things like this all the time because it is just us, especially when it comes to celebrating babies, etc.

Since I'm aware now of hostess gifts I really want to bring the hostess something small.  I was thinking wine or something along those lines?  But what about the other ladies bringing food and possibly a gift?  I thought about making chocolate dipped mini graham crackers in little cellophane gift baggies to give out.  My mom and husband think I'm over thinking it.  My husband says "you always participate in their stuff so just enjoy it!". 

I also said I could bring a fruit dip with fruit but the hostess told me to not worry about that and to rest up.  The last brunch that was hosted for one of the girls I was unable to attend so I don't know what she did in regard to a gift and bringing something.  lol I just feel bad in these types of situations like I should be helping.  I'm just very grateful is all.  We have bought most of our big items already and I have things left over from my son as well.

I also made a registry (without anticipating a shower or anything) to check off for myself.  Everyone now knows where it is now because people are asking but I just feel like I'm being some gift grabbing wench lol.  Even though I feel its modest and has some lame stuff ie: trash bags for a step trash can I'll be using as a diaper pail.

I wish I knew hostess gifts were sort of the norm 4 years back when I had my son.  I totally would have gave MIL and SIL one!  I feel so silly. 

cinderin

As a guest, I would feel put-upon to be asked to bring a dish and a present.

If you do want to make favors, candy/food ones are usually good.

Frappuccino Love

Yeah I could see being put off by that if it was an instance where you invited a normal group of friends, but like I said its my mom meetup group.  We kinda keep things casual when we do little celebrations for babies, etc and doing a potluck, I think is something everyone is pretty cool with. 

For a while it seemed diaper parties were what we were doing for each other but things get changed up.  Potlucks seem to be the thing we are starting to do more of. 

I know one of the other girls was going to throw it for me and she said they had discussed doing it.  She probably got busy, understandably and never mentioned it (so I never said anything) and then someone else decided to just throw it at her house.  

 

rhubarb123

I would not single out one as being the hostess since everyone is basically "chipping in".  So...no to the hostess gift.  I would, however, make everyone the edible "favor" that you suggested.  It is a nice thank you to them for coming/helping.

Adam&Eve2

Joy2611:

rhubarb123:

I would not single out one as being the hostess since everyone is basically "chipping in".  So...no to the hostess gift.  I would, however, make everyone the edible "favor" that you suggested.  It is a nice thank you to them for coming/helping.

Yup - a hostess provides food, drink and entertainment.  All your guests are doing that so I wouldn't single anyone out with a hostess gift.

I agree. But I still find it rude to ask people to bring food and a gift. If they offered that would be different.  But you/who ever put this together asked them too. If you are going to put a shower together (even a small one) then etiquette dictates that you be responsible for food and refreshments. But that is just my take on it.  

 

rhubarb123

Adam&Eve2:

Joy2611:

rhubarb123:

I would not single out one as being the hostess since everyone is basically "chipping in".  So...no to the hostess gift.  I would, however, make everyone the edible "favor" that you suggested.  It is a nice thank you to them for coming/helping.

Yup - a hostess provides food, drink and entertainment.  All your guests are doing that so I wouldn't single anyone out with a hostess gift.

I agree. But I still find it rude to ask people to bring food and a gift. If they offered that would be different.  But you/who ever put this together asked them too. If you are going to put a shower together (even a small one) then etiquette dictates that you be responsible for food and refreshments. But that is just my take on it.  

 

I can see how this could happen.  In the church we currently attend there are many people our age in our Sunday School class.  Sometimes our own class has had a shower for one of our class members (not the whole church involved) and we all bring something since there really is no one hostess.  These are usually during Sunday School class and the guys are there too.  It is always brunch type food.  Since there are only about 20 in the whole class (including guys) it doesn't take long for opening gifts (many go in for a large gift) and of course we eat while attending to other Sunday School matters.  We always eat during class anyway...this just adds a new facet.

I don't think it is appropriate to put on an invite "bring a dish to pass" or "be prepared to pay for your own meal" type of thing.

BeckyTheEngineer

It sounds like a casual get together that your group has all the time. If you want to give out something to everyone, I like food favors. I would make cookies, but that is what I always do. If you have a specific hostess, like if it is at her house, then I think it would be nice to get her something extra. I got my friends fudge that they liked and a couple hours of paid time at a drop in daycare they use.