I am having a hard time figuring out what I should do. One of my very close friends offered to throw me a shower the day I told her I was pregnant. We just started talking about a date and everything a week ago. Then tonight I went to my Grandma's house for dinner and she and my sister told me they want to throw me one in January. I told them I appreciate it, but my friend had already offered to throw one and they got a little upset about it. So my Grandma says, " I will just have mine here and invite MY side of the family to that one". I wanted to invite all my friends and family to the one my friend is throwing, I don't really like the thought of splitting it all up, I would like to celebrate with everyone. The thought of having it in January makes me a bit nervous also, since I am due in Feb and our family has a history of eager babies who like to come early.
So how should I handle this? Accept them both or let my Grandma and sister know we will be inviting everyone to the other one? I don't want to hurt anyones feelings and am very grateful for both offers.
Re: Baby shower dilemma
I would accept both. Keep them smaller so you have more time to spend with the guests. Your friend may not want the financial burden of a huge shower and she may not want the stress of co-planning.
If baby comes early, baby comes early.
All of this- let your grandma know that it has already been planned and the family is going to the shower your friend is throwing. Let her know that she can throw something for baby when it's here and you're all settled in (not right away because, as mentioned, having to cart a LO around everywhere in the early days is awful- not to mention asking for everyone to get sick!)
I've been so surprised on these boards reading about how many people are adamant about having only one (big) shower. Why?
In my family, people always limit showers (bridal, baby, or otherwise) to one side of the family at a time. I will be having at least 2 showers, and I am really happy with that! Like pp's have said, I'm glad that I'll be able to spend more time with fewer people at each shower. Plus, the two sides of the family don't really know each other and to me that's awkward.
Also, I have a giant family on both sides, and it would be wayyyy too much to ask one person to host (and pay for) all those people at once, I feel.
It seems TOTALLY normal to me that your friend would host one shower for your friends and some family, and that your grandma would host another for her side of the family. Don't turn down either offer - personally I think that's rude.
kdodge, I totally agree. I definetly do not want to have one post partum. My sister recently did that and she wishes she didn't.
The reason I was thinking one shower would be better is that I didn't want my family or friend to go through all the stress of two showers when one would be fine. My guest list isn't huge or anything.
Well it worked just fine for my sister and the baby's going to be seeing lots of people from visitors anyway. Just another option. He was about 4-6 weeks old when she had the shower.