Guest list questions

Pumpkin_Princess · December 2012

My sister is planning to throw my shower in March and I'm trying to limit the guests to close family and friends. My sister's MIL offered to help with decorations and planning, which I thought was very nice, but I don't really know her and I wasn't initially planning on inviting her to the shower. So my question is do I invite her to the shower? She really won't know anyone else there. I know that she is offering because she likes planning parties and she is trying to help my sister. I don't want to invite her and have her think that I am expecting her to bring me a gift because we are not close, but I don't want to be rude and not invite her when she is offering to do work (planning and decorating) for the shower.

Also, there is a woman at work that I don't know very well who recently had a baby. She loves talking about it because it really changed her life, so since she found out that I am pregnant she has been taking every opportunity to give me advice and tell me about her experience. I appreciate the recommendations and input. Then she asked if she could buy me some Aden + Anais swaddle blankets (kind of expensive) because she thought that it was an amazing gift that she couldn't live without. I don't associate with her outside of work and I wasn't planning on inviting many people from work (maybe 2 out of the 100+ people on my unit). Should I just accept the gift or do I need to invite her to the shower? She's another one that probably won't know anyone else.

I'm never comfortable with accepting gifts or help without offering something in return, so I'm not sure what to do. Thanks!

letzgoracing81 · December 2012

Since your sister's MIL is helping plan the party....you probably need to invite her. Maybe communicate to your sister (to communicate to her MIL) that her gift of helping plan the shower is enough 'gift' You might also want to include a small gift for her (when you give a thank you gift to your sister)

As for the co-worker--there is no need to invite her to the shower--unless you want to. If she does give you a gift you can always get her something small as a 'Thank You' maybe....bake her some cookies or something???