Just a couple of questions:
- I've got the impression from this board that a meet the baby party is not about gifts, is that right? If so, I'm guessing it would be ok to have both a shower and a meet the baby party? And I'm guessing that unlike a shower, you throw your own?
- For anyone who's had one, any tips? From the point of view of not overwhelming/frightening the baby, how soon is too soon? How many is too many? How long is too long? Any specific activities to avoid (example, loud music, although I know that's obvious)? Etc. I don't know a whole lot about babies but I'm guessing that suddenly having a houseful of 30 noisy people would be pretty terrifying for a newborn!
TIA.
Edit: If I did have a shower and a MTBP, would I need to specify on the invitations that it's a no-gifts thing? Even though I know I'm not having the party for gifts, I don't want people to think that.
FWIW, I'm defining a 'meet the baby party' as having our closest friends come over, all together, and just hang out with us (and, obviously, meet the baby!). I'd provide food and drinks (some alcoholic, but no one would be getting drunk). No games or gifts. No particular theme.
Re: Meet the baby party
I think regardless of what you say in the invites, having a meet the baby party after you've already shower seems like you are fishing for gifts again. Most people would never dream of coming to a party without some kind of gift.
I have never heard of a meet the baby party outside of the Bump.
From a practical standpoint, you never know what will happen for you and baby during birth - if there are complications or health issues. Planning a party is stressful and tiring, and you're already going to be stressed and tired. I also, personally, would not want my baby in an atmosphere like that very soon after birth. I was nervous enough when took my first to Easter Mass two weeks before her 2 month shots.
And that's my advice too- set a specific start and end time. You will most likely be tired and not yourself. Don't set yourself up for an indefinite period. Open up your home for 2 or 3 hours only.
~Benjamin Franklin
DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10
Chance are very good that you are not going to feel like entertaining 2 weeks post partum. I would say that something very casual is a good idea, but I wouldn't plan ahead too much. Maybe have an idea of food, drink and who you want to invite, but don't invite anyone or put too much effort into it until you see how you and baby are doing, and what you feel comfortable with.
Clearly, we offered them something to drink, but we didn't have food out. This was very much meant to be about meeting DS, catching up w/ us for a bit, then leaving.
~Benjamin Franklin
DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10
I had a MTBP for my 2nd baby. 2 year prior we had a wedding shower, a wedding & a baby shower(for 1st baby) all within 8 months, I felt as though people had been more than generous with gifts for us. + when I had my 1st everyone wanted to see the baby, so for 6 weeks, there were family/friends over almost every evening & weekend. I loved seeing them all & sharing my new baby with them, but having to tidy the house + cook/ or have something to serve overwhelming. So 2nd time around my parents hosted a "Baby Party", 1week after she was born. They had it at their house & took care of the food, essentially all I had to do was show up! No cleaning before & after! No disrupting our "routine" for weeks on end of visitors. So everyone got to meet the baby on the same day & I didn't have any of the work. Some brought gifts others not. This time around, baby #3, they offered to do it again, & my husband & I are grateful & excited.
This is exactly what we're doing this Saturday. Very low key with just a few of our close friends. Everyone's been very respectful of letting us have time to adjust so I just called them and let them know if they wanted to meet DS, we'd be happy to see them anytime between 1-4 p.m.
Thank you!
As I always do for guests, if anyone came over, I'd have food/drinks for them, but the thought of throwing a party with invites and catered party-style food, etc.... nms.
He's the single greatest thing I've done in my life and reminds me daily of how fun (and funny) life can be. He's turned out pretty swell for having such a heartless and evil mother.
I won't be doing a meet the baby party for a few reasons.
One, I'll be having my baby in October, so I don't think I'll be having or going to any parties until my baby is old enough to have a good immune system.
Two, October is close enough to Thanksgiving and Christmas that our families will still get to see the baby when it's still pretty tiny and new (if we go to our families houses for the holidays).
Three, I think if anyone wanted to come see my baby badly enough, they would ask when a good time to come by would be. I would probably set a date and time with them, and have some cookies or veggie trays and drinks for them, but no big dinner.