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How to politely host a diaper shower?

NicolewinsbingoNicolewinsbingo member
in Baby Showers
Hahaha. Yes, I'm serious. Here's the situation. At my church we have a shower for every pregnancy, no matter what. Its been allowed on this board that its no big deal in that situation bc church ladies just want to knit things and have potlucks andwho are we to stop them? (lol)

So I plan the showers with another lady who is currently pregnant with number 6. Yes, 6. She said she only wants/needs diapers this time. I think she thinks she's being easier going bc she "only" wants diapers. Ithink its actually going to be worse. Diapers can be expensive, boring, and I feel bad telling the church ladies no knitting, just diapers!

Is there ANY way to encourage guests to bring diapers politely? Usually we'd announce where mtb is registered. Maybe instead I could announce she could use diapers? Maybe make the party diaper themed but don't actually say "just bring diapers" and hope some people take the hint?
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Re: How to politely host a diaper shower?

  • Disneygeek77Disneygeek77 member

    My church does something similar, but I know a lot of people would be hurt / insulted if you said anything about this.

    Tell MTB you aren't comfortable telling the other members what to do.  This is the shower you guys are giving her and if it won't work, she can decline. 

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  • KatFCoKatFCo member

    I think just putting in the announcement, maybe in small print, "MTB has not registered, but could really use diapers." People will get what they want to get, but if you usually say where they're registered, this could go in place of that. Saying what she could use is worded more politely than telling people what to bring. They can make their own determination.

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  • Shobb414Shobb414 member
    Joy2611 said:

    Can she just make a registry that is only of diapers?  "MTB is registered at Target!" and then there's just diapers.  People can get the idea or do what they want.  Registries are supposed to be "wish lists" anyway.

    This!
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  • dufferoodufferoo member
    @disneygeek Amen, sister!
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  • neverblushedneverblushed member
    KatFCo said:

    I think just putting in the announcement, maybe in small print, "MTB has not registered, but could really use diapers." People will get what they want to get, but if you usually say where they're registered, this could go in place of that. Saying what she could use is worded more politely than telling people what to bring. They can make their own determination.

    This is the only thing you can reasonably do in the situation.
    High School English teacher and mom of 2 kids:

    DD, born 9/06/00 -- 12th grade
    DS, born 8/25/04 -- 7th grade
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  • NicolewinsbingoNicolewinsbingo member
    Thank you for the replies, ladies!  To clarify, of course I would never say something like "Don't you dare bring knit stuff you cheapskates!" lol.  I was more wondering if I could even say anything about diapers at all.  @KatFCo your idea is probably what we (me and the other coplanner, not the mtb) will do.  I think we're going to make an invitation and then either in small print on the invite or as a small insert put something about "mtb is not registered but baby B could always use diapers or wipes" or something of that nature.  Alternatively, we could just spread the info by word of mouth through the church, that if people are looking for gift ideas that diapers would be appreciated.  Again, thank you for the ideas!
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  • MJM3108MJM3108 member
    Disneygeek77 said:
    jociejones said:
    Can't be done. Clearly, this crowd enjoys showering pregnant chicks with lovingly hand-made goods, not just donating to a cause. If your friend doesn't want this, she should decline the shower.

    Which is an excellent point.  For the most part, I believe showers like this one exist more for the guests than the MTB.  The women in your church enjoy having an excuse to fellowship together and celebrate a new life and not necessarily give the MTB exactly what she needs.  Does that make sense ? They enjoy baking treats and for a lot of them, genuinely love and get satisfaction from giving a mom a  hand made gift that took time and effort on their part.  It is how they show love. 

    Again, I believe this is why church showers like this exist, yes even for the 6th child.  It isn't so much about setting up the mom for the new arrival as much showing they love and care for her by giving her this gift. 

    If I am going to be completely honest, if your friend doesn't understand this concept, perhaps she shouldn't be on the shower planning committee.

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  • kmkaull2kmkaull2 member
    Little old ladies are going to knit hats and booties.  So let them.  That crowd is probably not going to be looking for a registry anyway.

    I wouldn't put anything on the invite.  If someone asks you what the expectant mom needs, tell them she would probably appreciate diapers or wipes. 
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  • mommyilenemommyilene member
    Why not call it a diaper shower??
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  • mommyilenemommyilene member
    I've been to several diaper showers. There is nothing wrong with having a diaper shower. My cousin is having her second child same sex. She doesn't need a shower but we want to give her a little something. So diaper shower it is. Anything else just doesn't make sense.

    The question was how to politely host a diaper shower. Call it what you want it to be. Nobody is forcing anybody to go. I know I would be uncomfortable if I was a STM and getting a full blown shower again especially if the baby's sex was the same.
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  • NicolewinsbingoNicolewinsbingo member
    The reason why we usually announce where the mtb is registered is because some of the ladies do shop at the stores and others make stuff.  Its probably about 20% registry shoppers, 30% gift card buyers, and the rest home made goodie givers or cute outfit buyers.  If no one ever shopped off the registry we wouldn't even mention it.  

    Since we know some of the women do like to shop off of a registry or buy a gift card to the place mtb registered we usually just mention where she is registered and people do what they want to do.  Since this mtb is not planning to register I was wondering if we could mention diapers in any way.  I do like the idea of mtb just registering for diapers and wipes so that the registry shoppers could ago ahead and see that all she really needs is diapers.  But the pp is right, most people would probably assume baby #6 only needs diapers but could always use something specially made.
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  • 3sthecharm3sthecharm member
    Why not state that YOU are building a diaper cake for decoration for the shower and if anyone wants to add trinkets or assist in building the "sculpture" to let you know. You can tuck some cute knitted caps booties etc and give it as a group gift..
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