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Baby Showers
Pokedot
member
Too many shower "games"?
Pokedot
member
in Baby Showers
Ok this is a bit long but I'm trying to gauge if there are too many "games" for my shower. My mom is hosting and doing a wonderful job on all the decor...its a bee theme "What will it bee?" We've decided to do a couple games that aren't really games at all just something to move the shower along. She's come up with some great ideas but I want to make sure everyone doesn't get confused.
1st: a few bee stickers under random lunch plates. You have a bee, you get a prize. Prizes would be a movie pass, or if the guest is from out of town, a basket with homemade washclothes and nice handsoap, think Bath and Body Works, not dollar store.
2nd Guess the due date game: Dates & times on a poster board. Each guest makes their prediction of the date, time, and weight of the baby along with gender if we would need a tie breaker. When baby comes in September or whenever, the closest 2 people will win a gift certificate like $25 to a chain store since we have people from out of town.
3rd Gift bingo: you all know what this is...each person would get a basket with homemade washclothes and soap or movie pass. Whichever would work best for the person.
4th Its not really a game. But we thought of having a plaster of paris beehive hanging from the ceiling and a small table underneath. Each person if they so choose can write a note on the paper provided for some advice for the parents-to-bee...and then either use tape or thumb tacs to put the advice on the hive.
Would this be too much or just right for getting the shower going? We'd do them throughout but with no interuptions so the guests can get in and out. We have about 70 people invited so I don't want to take up everyone's day! TIA!
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Re: Too many shower "games"?
Yes.
I didn't even read the games, but got to #3 and that is too many. Choose 2.
ETA- I like games 1 and 4. People don't need the hostess to get the shower going. Just let them mingle, introduce everyone in small groups, and let them do their thing. This is a shower, not a 3 year old's birthday party.
Since I love shower games I say they sound find. Although you are having quite a large shower so would probably skip the one where the guess due date/gender/etc. since by the time September rolls around the guests won't even remember what they put down anyway.
I like the bee stickers on the plates (or chairs) as "door prizes". I also like gift bingo since not everyone enjoys watching you open gifts. I would have the bingo cards already filled out and just let the guests grab them randomly. Otherwise some will cheat (as the pp said she does) because they will just write down what they brought and if it is several things they will put them all in a row and as soon as their gift is opened it is an instant bingo. I also like the 4th idea...with the advice cards. Is there a way they don't have to actually attach them to the bee hive? Maybe just have a slot where they can stick them in the bee hive? That would be easier, plus keep the "advice" private for you to read and not everyone else.
I don't have a problem with games at showers because sometimes I go and I know no one there except the MTB and quite frankly without games it is BORING.
Even though you are inviting 70 people usually only about 1/2 (maybe a bit more) will be able to make it.
I'll be honest- you're giving out a lot of pretty expensive gifts. People don't come to showers to be given gifts themselves. Gift baskets? $25 gifr certificates??? I'd hate to follow your shower w/ my own and feel like I "have" to do that stuff.
Also, I don't know why the shower needs anything to "get it going". With 70 people- they'll be tlaking and socializing anyhow. I don't see why a shower has to be forced to "go". Treat it like any other adult gathering- people will talk/ socialize, etc.
Honestly - the most important thing in that regard is to make sure you have some good background music!! The only shower I've ever been to that DID need help was one where there was NO music and when everyone got quiet, it got SOOO quiet, everyone was afraid to talk!
~Benjamin Franklin
DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10
Thanks everyone for the input. I personally thought it would be fun to have everyone guess the baby's stats for my own curiosity. It would be whenever someone wants to do it. It obviously isn't mandatory. But we thought it would be fun and a bit of a surpise for when September rolls around people will get a little gift if they win. The baskets are dollar store baskets, very small and would have 2 homemade washclothes in them (they actually are left over from my bridal shower 3 years ago hahaha) and the soap is something my mom stocked up on a while back. I only thought of gift bingo to give people something to do while the gifts are opened. People can play or not its up to them. And the sticker would be easy since its just putting a stick on the bottom of a plate.
I loved the beehive idea because it ties in with the theme but on PP wrote to have the slot open for them to put the advice in...I love that idea! Plus it would eliminate the guest from having to attach it!
I've had some great feedback from you ladies...now to narrow it down to what we want to do! Thanks a million!
I personally think shower games are lame. I don't know anyone in my circle who likes them. I have been to countless bridal and baby showers (50+) and maybe 3 of them had games and they were lame. Every single time when they say - OK we are going to play a game - you hear a collective groan. LOL
We do a play on a silent auctions for gift baskets where each guest gets 5 or so raffle tickets and put them in the basket they like best. Then, the MTB chooses a ticket for each basket throughout the gift opening. This is as close to games as I get and guests really seem to like it. I started it at my bridal shower 10+ years ago (from my 1st wedding) and that has now become the trend in my circle.
If you are into the games - I would pick one or 2 at most.
Have fun!
I love all the games. Especially gift bingo... I think it keeps everyone entertained while the mom is opening gifts.
I would have all of them ready to go... but if time doesn't allow, don't be afraid to cut any. I just rather be more prepared.