Baby Shower Etiquette Question

Pooka8 · April 2011

The person who is throwing my baby shower let me know earlier this week that she can't do it at her house like originally planned because she is moving the next week and her house will be packed up.

Would it be weird to just have it at my house? My other option is a restaurant where people order and pay for their own food (I'm not really comfortable with that, that's how her shower was and it got expensive for guests).

It's not like I'm throwing my own shower, I'm just providing the venue.

tawillers · April 2011

I don't think it's weird. I've attended a shower at the mom-to-be's house and no one thought twice about it. We all knew she didn't throw her own shower.

Plus, you won't have to haul all of the gifts home and carry them inside.

Arwen31 · April 2011

I think it would be fine to have it at your own house. No one will think you're throwing your own shower.

I personally would be really put off if I was invited to a shower, brought a gift, and then had to pay for my own lunch.

Pooka8 · April 2011

Arwen31:
I think it would be fine to have it at your own house. No one will think you're throwing your own shower. I personally would be really put off if I was invited to a shower, brought a gift, and then had to pay for my own lunch.

That's why I don't really want to go with that option. Even if I have to make some food, I'd rather do it at my house. She threw a shower for someone else a few weeks ago and they did it at someones home and had subs chips and dip.

MrsI · April 2011

My wedding shower was at my house and so will my baby shower be. No hauling of gifts home and people will be able to see the nursery if they would like. I have a more open floor plan than the people throwing my shower so it just made sense.

lucylea · April 2011

I agree with PPs, my baby shower was at my house and no one thought anything of it. I have the best floor plan for a larger group and not having to haul the gifts home was awesome.

cburitz · April 2011

Is there anyone else's house you can have the shower at? Your parents house? MIL? Sister? Another friend?

If you cannot find another house to have it at, then I guess it would be acceptable to have it at your house as long as it is obvious that you AREN'T hosting it.

I think it would be extremely tacky to have it at a restaurant and then expect your guests to pay for their own food. I would be livid if I brought a present and then had to pay for my own meal.

JennV514 · April 2011

Nope, not weird at all. I'm jealous- I would love to have my shower at my house!

katiewhompus · April 2011

I think it would be fine. Definitely easier for present storage and if the nursery is at all set up/in progress the guests would probably get a kick out seeing it.

Sparla1027 · April 2011

I WANTED my shower at my house... I have an open floor plan and nice outdoor space that I thought would work nicely. We also had my sisters shower at her house- my mom is out of town and at the time I did not own my house. So no, it's not weird. Just make sure the invite says "hosted by so-and-so".

e_uecker · April 2011

I'm having my shower at my house. Everyone keeps saying how they want to see the nursery so it works out to have it here. Plus I wont have to pack up all the stuff and bring it home. I was the host for my sister's last month and we had it at her house. It was really convenient and turned out great!

katie4253 · April 2011

No, it isn't weird to have it at the home of the mom to be. I prefer it that way. I always feel bad for the mom who has to haul her stuff home!

Pooka8 · April 2011

Thanks for the input ladies. We're going to have it at my house. Unfortunately we won't have the nursery set up in time. We just moved into this house about a week and a half ago. It'll take some extra effort just to get the lower level ready for guests. So far our nursery has a crib (no mattress yet) a bouncer and a dresser, but that's it.

abell77 · April 2011

Do not make your guests pay for their own food. Have it at your house.

Brady77 · May 2011

If the invitations say that it is hosted by someone else no one is going to think you are throwing your own shower. I threw one for a friend co-hosting it with her MIL at my friend's house because at the time I was living in a small apartment and neither of us are from the area so there weren't other options (and MIL lived 1.5 hours away too). There was no question she wasn't hosting her own shower, everyone was directed to RSVP to me etc.

As etiquette issues go, I think this is a non-issue.

Ash&Vic · May 2011

My shower will be held at my house as well even though I am NOT hosting it. I was actually very excited to offer my house as a venue. We moved in shortly before we found out we were pregnant and the house lends itself to parties. This will be the first major party we have in our house. Hopefully, its the first of many.

jdm7 · May 2011

Arwen31:
I think it would be fine to have it at your own house. No one will think you're throwing your own shower. I personally would be really put off if I was invited to a shower, brought a gift, and then had to pay for my own lunch.

I would like it if someone threw the shower at my house. I'd even pay someone to come in and clean the house prior to the party! And I'd work with the hostess to get all the details straightened out.

I would be put off if I had to go to a shower and pay for my own meal. That's asking a bit too much.

damabo80 · May 2011

tawillers:

I don't think it's weird. I've attended a shower at the mom-to-be's house and no one thought twice about it. We all knew she didn't throw her own shower.

Plus, you won't have to haul all of the gifts home and carry them inside.

Ditto. While it's not ideal, there are a lot more things that can be side-eye-able about a shower than having the location be at your house.

rxy5309 · May 2011

If my house was big enough I would LOVE to have it here then I wouldn't have to transfer anything! I think it is a GREAT idea!

DuncanD80 · May 2011

Added bonus... The gifts will already be at the house, so you don't have to load them in a vehicle to get them there and unload them:)

pp709 · May 2011

I had my shower yesteday & we held it at my house. My cousin threw it for me, but it was just closer to everyone else to have it at my place. It was a bit harder for her because she had to bring stuff here to set up, but she did not mind. It was great not to haul presents from one place to another!

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