Baby Shower on Memorial Day weekend?

MrsKBen · April 2012

My family and friends want to host one large shower for me, with approximately 50-60 people invited. The only date that is available is the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Almost all of the guests will be local.

I don't think that's a good date because I think a lot of people will be traveling. My family thinks that most people stay local for Memorial Day weekend and just have cookouts on the actual holiday, so people would be available for a shower the day before.

What do you think about a shower on Memorial Day weekend?

FemShep · April 2012

If it's the only day that works for everyone, I don't think you have much choice. I'd expect a higher decline rate than usual, but you'll still have people attend.

ccam · April 2012

If it's the only available date, I guess you don't really have any other choice. I would still attend a shower on Memorial Day weekend, if I wasn't away or anything, but don't be surprised if a lot of people can't make it.

ETA: I would have it earlier in the day so guests still have a chance to attend other bbqs and Memorial Day parties.

srs5624 · April 2012

FemShep:
If it's the only day that works for everyone, I don't think you have much choice. I'd expect a higher decline rate than usual, but you'll still have people attend.

Pretty much this.

mswood1977 · April 2012

If no other date is available I say go for it. Like others have said, you may have more people decline becasue it is a holiday weekend.

Pretty much everyone I know, including myself, usually go out of town for Memorial Day(to the lake or down to the beach). I have to go to my nephews high school graduation at 7:00 PM on the Sunday before Memorial Day this year, which is the only reason I am not going to be out of town for Memorial Day this year.

EastCoastBride · April 2012

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Yes, you might have a higher decline rate, but I agree- it's not a huge travel weekend.

We unknowingly scheduled our housewarming party last year on the Saturday of Easter weekend. We just didn't put 2 and 2 together until we got our first "no" RSVP stating that they couldn't come because it was Easter weekend. Ooops!

But while it definitely affected a fair # of people, at the same time, we still had a really good turnout for the party. And I'd absolutely bet you that Easter is a worse weekend to schedule a party on than Memorial day Stick out tongue

Honestly, once spring hits, I feel like any weekend is going to be a "bad" weekend because people really start to plan outings and travel, etc.

notkateanymore · April 2012

If that's the date that works, do it that weekend, but I know for me and my friends, that's the first weekend we're at the lake or beach, so nobody would be at my shower...including me!

The kids here are already out of school and people are gone!

dufferoo · April 2012

I personally don't like when people schedule non-holiday-related events on holiday weekends, just because, whether I am traveling or not, chances are it's already going to be a hectic weekend and I don't need an extra event crammed in there. If it was a good friend, of course I would still go if I possible, but I would enjoy it less.

apollonia10 · April 2012

My shower is on the same day - Sun of Memorial Day - because that was the only available day at the venue before my due date. I was bummed at first but now I think it will be fine. It's local for the majority of my guests (not for me, lol) and I will totally get it if I get a lot of declines. My mom is sending out invites this week so people can have a little extra time to plan, since it's a holiday weekend.

RoxyLynn · April 2012

Wow - that's a really big shower!

If it's truly the only available date, then there you have it. Personally, I would decline an invitation to a wedding or shower on a holiday weekend unless it were for my sister or best friend, but I'd send a gift.

Cheerio B · April 2012

I would expect a LOT of people to decline for that weekend. Even if they stay local you'll be competing with a lot more get together's, BBQ's and people just wanting to relax and enjoy a three day weekend. DH and I don't have a big social life and it's really easy for us to be booked for all three days that weekend.

luvlss1 · April 2012

As a PP stated, just have it earlier so that other plans can be kept by people. Have you considered a co-ed shower/ a BBQ? Just a thought. Funny enough, we have a wedding this same day & 3 years ago, had another wedding on this day. I guess it's fairly common!

rhubarb123 · April 2012

If you make it either late morning or early afternoon you should be OK. Most things going on would possibly be a parade...although most are actually ON the holiday (where I live) or a BBQ/picnic which would be a bit later in the afternoon.

My cousin scheduled his wedding on Memorial week-end and it worked out well for everyone. We live 6 hours away so we had plenty of time to drive down, get the hotel for the night and get ready and go to the wedding. Course it was a Polish wedding and they actually last 3 days (in my family anyway). With it being a 3 day week-end it worked out great.

sadie+w · April 2012

I personally find it very annoying to get shower or wedding invites for a holiday weekend, and Sunday being the middle day is the worst day! Dh and I nearly always have plans to be out of town. Unless you were my BFF I would decline and send a gift. Are you sure you can't find any other day that works?

SingleMom31 · April 2012

I hosted a shower on Black Friday last year. It worked both ways -- There were people that could travel from out-of-town because it was a long weekend and others that came into town for the holiday and could come. On the flip side, there were people that were traveling for the holiday and ended up not being able to come since they were out-of-town. If it's what works for you, I say go for it.

PS. On a side note, a lot of people that couldn't come sent gifts ahead of time. It was sad that they weren't there, but just a thought.

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