Long Distance Shower

Somer_Chris · November 2010

My best friend and her DH were recently relocated to Maryland from Texas. Family and friends are located all over the place. I would like to throw her a shower, since she never really had a bridal shower, but how would you go about doing a long distance shower? Baby is due on Christmas so travel for everyone is a no-go.

Ideas please!

TIA

EastCoastBride · November 2010

I'm really not a fan of these, to be honest. A part of the fun of a shower is the chance to spend time w/ the mom to be. If people want to send gifts, they will w/o being told to do so under the guise of a shower.

Angel0423 · November 2010

Hmm... too bad she's getting close to the end or she could be the one to travel. Kind of like she's on "tour" and have a small get together in all these differnt cities!! I'm not so sure how to pull the long distance thing off. Are you in the same city as your friend?? If so, invite ppl from work, friends, etc. Might not be a ton of people, but might have better luck with a small local shower. If you're still in Texas and they are the only one's out of state I guess you could set up a webcam... But I'm not sure how much the parents could really participate, and they can't eat cake or open gifts, and if people brought gifts someone would have the responsibility of shipping them... Maybe they should just plan a trip home after baby and have a shower then?

BLM10 · November 2010

I was reading in the doctors' office yesterday about a site (oovoo.com?) that hosts virtual showers. You send the gifts ahead of time, then watch with the group (and snacks!) as she opens them. Haven't actually seen it done, though.

pam1005 · November 2010

BLM10:
I was reading in the doctors' office yesterday about a site (oovoo.com?) that hosts virtual showers. You send the gifts ahead of time, then watch with the group (and snacks!) as she opens them. Haven't actually seen it done, though.

I find this incredibly tacky. Showers are about showering the mom with gifts, but it is also about getting together and seeing the mom to be and celebrating with her in person. I just personally find virtual showers a desperate pull for getting gifts. She can register and people if people want to give her a gift they can ask where she is registered at.

I think someone could host a meet the baby party (if possible) for her after he/she arrives.

BLM10 · November 2010

I wouldn't want a virtual shower for myself and I don't know if I would be 100% up for attending one, but I can see where it would be the best option... like for a new mom who is stationed on the other side of the country with her military husband, etc.

jnicolen · November 2010

i was in a similar situation to your friend. moved 2 years ago, have family and friends on both coasts. keep in touch with them very often and still have very close relationships with them.

my girlfriends (on one coast) asked for a list of the people i would want at a shower if everyone were in one spot. i gave them a list of 10-12 women.

they sent to each woman on my list a white square of fabric, a black fabric marker, and postage to send it back...asking each of them to write a note to the baby and return it.

they picked out other beautiful fabrics and had them sewn together with the 'note' squares into a lovely quilt for our baby.

while it wasnt the same as being all together in one spot to celebrate...it has very special meaning for me. all of my girls, sending love, and having it all stitched together in a wonderful keepsake. when we received it, it even brought my husband to tears. *to let me know it was on the way, they sent me a poem about it (likely the same one they included with the squares to everyone who contributed)

as other people said, close friends will likely send gifts anyways, regardless of a shower. since its probably too much to ask all these people or the mom to be to fly at this point....think of other ways to do something meaningful to celebrate.

ps...ive also heard of a woman receiving a birthing necklace or bracelet from loved ones. each person sent a bead to be strung together for the mom-to-be to have with her during birth.

laxjules · November 2010

My DH and I just recently moved 8 hours away from our family. We're trekking the 8 hours back for my baby shower but we both have family that lives further away. We're going to send them an invite with a little note from us saying that they're more than welcome to join us if any way possible but we would love it more if they came to see the baby after he's born!

We're trying to include them and let them know we haven't forgotten them.

Antiquecharm · November 2010

I live across the United States from the rest of my family. My mom is throwing me a shower and we are going to find a way to make sure "I am there" virtual, telphone, what have you. I wish I could go but financially it just won't work. My family understands why I am so far away and either way when they get together, they have a good time. I have not lived at "home" where I am from for almost 8 years and visit on occassion. My family does not come out to visit me and I always visit them. So, I think it is pretty cool they are all getting together for the newest addition to our strong Southern family. I hope they have a great time whether they bring gifts or not. In fact my mom suggested a gift card if anyone wanted to bring anything. She is going to call it a "gift card" baby shower. She always sends me boxes so she will send them whenever she gets the chance if anyone decides to bring anything. All I did? I registered and selected that gift cards were ok. I do not see this as fishing for gifts at all. I see this as a family/friends getting together and having a great time and celebrating a new LO

Good luck, I hope this helps!!! For anyone who lives far from home-they would completely understand.

cooper0314 · November 2010

pam1005:
BLM10:
I was reading in the doctors' office yesterday about a site (oovoo.com?) that hosts virtual showers. You send the gifts ahead of time, then watch with the group (and snacks!) as she opens them. Haven't actually seen it done, though.
I find this incredibly tacky. Showers are about showering the mom with gifts, but it is also about getting together and seeing the mom to be and celebrating with her in person. I just personally find virtual showers a desperate pull for getting gifts. She can register and people if people want to give her a gift they can ask where she is registered at.
I think someone could host a meet the baby party (if possible) for her after he/she arrives.

What about Military wives, like me, who are 2000 miles away from family and friends and their husband is either deployed or in a work-up for deployment. Can't fly because she may be too far along in her pregnancy and she may move around so much that meeting new friends is a process...Therefore, she is alone for most of the time and her family just wants to do something to celebrate this amazing moment in their lives. Never did she ask for it, but rather was planned out of love by family and friends. Does that still make it tacky and do you think we are still being gift greedy?? Just asking....

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