@sunshinesea22 I loathe the tummy guessing game. I’ve always felt awkward guessing how big expecting moms were. Now that it’s my turn, I don’t need anyone guessing how big I am. I specifically told my friends that I do not want to play that one. I’m already plus size, and by the time of my shower I’m sure my bump will be substantially bigger. I don’t need a visual of my nearly 5ft wide bump.
The only game I want to play at mine is a door prize game. Get a container and put different types of candy eggs in it and everyone guesses how many candies are in it. The person that guesses closest without going over wins a prize. I'll probably do a bottle of wine and a candle as the prize and I'll keep the chocolate!
Oh we do a diaper raffle too! If you bring a thing of diapers your name goes in a jar and at some point mom randomly draws a name and the winner gets a prize.
@m6agua Those onesies always look so terrible. The times I've seen it done people put out sharpies and it looks horrendous.
@shamrocandroll My mom did that Price is Right game at my shower and I liked it. My mom only bought small stuff from my registry to play the game.
I love games at other people's showers because I'm in it to win it. I thought I wouldn't enjoy the games at my shower but asked them to be kept pretty simple. In the end my shower was small and intimate so everyone made the games really fun.
@shamrocandroll I love the idea of the green shower and having the open presents just displayed. I hate opening gifts in front of people. Also the price is right game sounds so much better than the traditional games.
I threw a shower for my sister (who didn't make it to the shower as she had my niece the day before) and we did design your own onesies. For the adults I had Jacquard fabric paint, but for the kids there are crayola crayons that heat transfer with an iron and that worked really well for them. My sister loved all of the onesies. I got a bunch of different sized 3 packs so she had a bunch in all the different sizes.
My coworker mentioned my shower today, and planning a date around some crazy work stuff that happens annually around that time. I'm getting excited. Basically there's a two week period that's out, so I said earlier than that is better than later because that seems to be the consensus from the STMs that earlier is generally better than later if you have the option.
I did something a little unorthodox, in a one-on-one meeting I asked my chair if the department was planning on giving me a shower. I've been seriously back and forth on inviting them to my larger shower. I want to be friendly and involve my coworkers since I'll be working with them for years to come. I know the department has done it in the past but I'm new and I didn't want them to feel obligated to throw me one. I also know that not everyone from our small department would go, so if they hosted a shower it would be me with about 5-6 other people. I felt weird asking but I'm glad I did. My chair said it'll probably be best if I just invited everyone to the large shower with my friends and family, then closer to the due date we'll do cake or something during a department meeting.
I just found out a friend of mine is planning a shower, which is so nice, but it just feels wrong. I reminded her that I already have two kids, but her rational was that twins are different and there needed to be another shower. So I reluctantly agreed, but insisted it be very small and more like a brunch. And now I'm stressed because I created a registry at Pottery Barn for the completion discount, but i didn't expect I'd actually show it to people. Now I feel super gift grabby and tacky. Is it ridiculous to come up with another registry at Target, even though that's not really the stuff I need/want (already bought my Target stuff), so I don't look like I expect people to buy me stuff from Pottery Barn? Or am I overthinking this?
@ruby696 They can choose to get you something from PB either on their own or go in on something as a group. Or they can choose to get you something small or a necessity they think would be well received. If you're worried they'll get you non-PB stuff that you won't want, then maybe make a target registry or something of just necessities like the diapers and such. Just for some options but to avoid getting junk. I'm guessing they know you and will realize it's a different situation than with a first child and not get bent out of shape about it.
@lisush I guess I worry that people will be put out that so many items on my registry that are on the more expensive end of things. But you're totally right, people don't have to buy things off the registry. I'm just happy to have an opportunity to spend a couple hours with friends.
@ruby696 Eh. You could always tell people that you don’t have a registry but only need the necessities. I’m sure with twins most people will go with diapers and wipes, because that would be my first thought.
To be fair I registered at amazon for myself too and a lot of stuff on there is pricey because I’m picky after two kids. A few family members have asked to see it and I’ve told them that they can buy what they want if there’s nothing on the registry that suits their budget. I’m also super blunt though.
@rox7777 I have a Target and Amazon private registry just for myself too. My SIL asked about a month ago if I had a registry or if there is anything I need. I told her as of right now we are good as I was waiting on some hand me downs first and we have all the gear from DD. But honestly I don't want to give her my registry info because her and my brother are not financially well off. She doesn't work, they live in a crappy apartment and live off of a bunch of the government programs. H and I are doing decent enough financially, so I just don't really want them to be spending their money on something off the registry, especially since most of it is just upgrading things we already have.
@lisush If there is anything you'd actually want at a smaller cost I would create another registry. I make a registry at both amazon and target mainly for the completion discount. Last time I even used my in store discount at target to pick up laundry detergent, paper towels and other normal shopping things. If you add them to your registry you'll still get the 15% off for completion which I found funny.
@drkoyya I think it's ok. You didn't ask them to throw you a shower, you just asked their plans because it impacts your guest list. I think that's fair enough. There are no hard and fast rules about these things.
@ruby696 I would talk to your friend who is hosting about this. Perhaps you can request something a little different, like at the party there can be a calendar sign up and people can pick a date to bring dinner for your family and/or offer a day of babysitting the other kids or clean your house or something. You could do a stock the freezer party, or request hand me downs only since you'll need double of things with twins on the way. I think you can find something tasteful and fun so that people are still helping without getting you the kid stuff you don't need.
@pirateduck That's a good idea. I saved a lot from when my older kids were babies, so I really don't need a lot of the smaller things. I only created a registry for thr bigger things because I need a second one. Maybe I'll ask for freezer meals or even create a target registry with just diapers, shampoo, lotion, etc. Stuff you run out of. That way I can stock up.
I had my baby shower this past weekend at 24 weeks and really loved it. I had to take a 5 hour flight so talked to my sister about doing it this early back in November.
I'm big on things being eco-friendly and put a note about that in my registry on buybuybaby. I let people know I'd be getting a lot of hand me downs from my sister and brother and put options for gift cards for activities like a sleep training e-course recommended by a friend who has a three month old (Taking cara babies). Even though I live far away from people I put options for used gifts, books, and general service gifts like babysitting or whatever else the person felt like giving. I also put on a number of donation options and encouraged people to give to babies that weren't as lucky as ours. I tried to put a range of items in terms of price including a couple big ticket items like stroller and crib. I did not like that you can't contribute towards or buy as a gift directly on the registry.
I'm happy to report we got a lot of cash (it's a cultural thing) and no junk that I won't be using. I got boxes of used clothes, blankets, breastfeeding pillow, pregnancy pillow, bouncer etc from my sister and brother.
My sister rented all the decor, we had mostly homemade food served on regular no-plastic/disposable plates. My family is used to hosting big parties but I appreciate that they honored my wishes of keeping everything eco-friendly as much as possible. We gave out tiny plants as favors without any specific tags on there.
Me: 30 | H: 34 Married July 2018 First-Time Mom EDD: 5/1/20 *please stick, baby*
@tj_2 I'm glad your shower went so smoothly! It's always refreshing when your family and friends actually support your principals! Plants as a party favor is such a cute idea!!
This is a super specific question to Amazon registries. We just completed our registries and my mom just mailed out invites for the shower in March. My MIL gave me a warning she was getting something off of it and I just came home to a car seat outside. At the advice of everyone here I put a few bigger ticket items on there (despite the fact we bought a stroller/infant seat combo) we threw on the full size car seat. Anyway, somehow it isn't being marked as bought on the registry? Maybe she clicked another link and just bought it separately and not in relation to the registry?
I obviously want to mark it is as bought or something so that no one else gets it. I don't see a way to do that without just removing it. I was worried that doing so would harm any "completion discount" or bonus Amazon could give us for people buying stuff off of the registry? Suggestions?
@doctorcrime when you go to your registry view that shows the list of all the items (on a desktop, not sure about mobile) to the right of each item there are 3 buttons, add to cart, edit, delete. Pick edit. Then you will see options for # requested and # purchased. Change purchased to 1 and save changes.
@doctorcrime unfortunately if she didn't purchase it directly off your amazon registry it won't count towards the diaper discount, but you only need $500 for that so hopefully after everything else you will still reach that anyway. The completion discount won't be impacted by what others buy on or off your registry because that's just a discount for you to use for anything you buy from the registry later. You can even add stuff right before purchasing with the completion discount so I wouldn't worry about that.
Here’s an idea for any Yogis or anyone who uses Mala beads for meditation.
My friend moved to France last year and is expecting her first child in April. Most of her family and friends are in the States and won’t be able to make the shower. She’s requesting that we all send a large bead along with a written note (advice, poem, words of encouragement). She’s going to make a meditation necklace out of the beads and use it for delivery. I love the idea and wanted to share.
Plans are in the works for real now and I am excited. Sent my sister a list of addresses for friends and she is on it. It’s the slow season at work for her too, so despite the distance I trust she has it covered.
I just had a mini panic attack and called my sister when she gave me the shower date. I have one event a year at work that's a big deal (biggest of the year) and required to attend and I mis-read my calendar and thought it was the same day as the shower. We were just talking about it at work this week and my boss was confirming that I will still be here then as it's getting close to my due date, so yeah, can't miss it. Fortunately I was off by a week and all is good!
I am due May 13, am I crazy in saying April 20 is too late for a baby shower? People who aren't pregnant don't seem to get it. There seems like very limited time these last few months and my anxiety is already creeping up about the impending baby's birth and the remainder of my pregnancy and the whole being ready thing (FTM).
@pirateduck It would be to late for me, but some people are fine doing them late. Looks like you would be 37 weeks, which it is possible (although not likely) that you may end up missing it if you go into labor early or something.
@m6agua when you remind me that I will already be 37 weeks then, yes, it is definitely too late. I want to be ready and just do what my body needs me to do at that point. Eat, sleep, go to the OB, go to work if I'm able, no extra anything. There's always the chance of things like bed rest or reduced activity at that point too. The woman I work with keeps asking when I'll be at work until/what my last day will be, and it's hard because it's really one of these wait and see how things go situations, and see how much PTO I have left at that point.
@pirateduck that's definitely too late in my opinion. Even if you aren't huge and uncomfortable and go into labor early you probably would still want the shower early enough to see what gifts you are given so you have time to buy anything remaining that you want to have before baby's arrival. I had mine about 2 months before my due date and it was perfect.
If it's a work shower and not your primary family/friend shower, I probably wouldn't push it too much. It sounds like she wants your work shower to be on your last day? Which is weird? Maybe you can suggest a couple of good days in early April?
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
I had my shower at 30 weeks, and later wouldn't have worked for me for a primary shower-because I needed time to then buy things we needed and didn't receive and get stuff prepped before baby arrived. A work shower I could have done a little later, but still not after 34 weeks probably. I knew going into my first that early labor was a possibility for me. He was born at 35+4.
_______________________________________________
Me: 33 DH: 32 Married 7/18/15 1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16 Team green turned BLUE! 2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18 Team green turned PINK! Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
@catem07 yes, this is at work, early April there's some crazy important busy stuff at work, so we have to look at dates either before or after those annual meetings/events. I'm going to stick with that it should be before that if at all possible.
@pirateduck work showers are typically small and low key so I think April 20th would be ok. If it were your big family/friends shower, I would want it to be earlier.
@pirateduck Agree with @afranzen85. At the work showers I've been to, people usually contribute money for a single gift or a couple gifts so no one feels like they have to participate, especially if they can't afford to. So I wouldn't expect to need to have the shower earlier in order to buy supplies if you don't get enough stuff. That's more of a main shower/family shower issue to me. As long as you're okay to work, you should be fine for a work shower.
Yeah, 37 weeks for a work shower is totally fine. Too late for the main shower, though. You're not going to get a huge amount of stuff from your work shower. At mine I got a few gift cards and we ate pie, and that was about it. Although I also work with like 90% men.
**TW**
Me: 35 | H: 40 Married Sept. 2013 DS1: Nov 11, 2016 MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d) CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d) BFP! 8/24/19 DS2: May 10, 2020
Re: Baby Shower/Sprinkle
FTM
BFP 08/25/19, EDD 05/04/20
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
@shamrocandroll My mom did that Price is Right game at my shower and I liked it. My mom only bought small stuff from my registry to play the game.
I love games at other people's showers because I'm in it to win it. I thought I wouldn't enjoy the games at my shower but asked them to be kept pretty simple. In the end my shower was small and intimate so everyone made the games really fun.
I threw a shower for my sister (who didn't make it to the shower as she had my niece the day before) and we did design your own onesies. For the adults I had Jacquard fabric paint, but for the kids there are crayola crayons that heat transfer with an iron and that worked really well for them. My sister loved all of the onesies. I got a bunch of different sized 3 packs so she had a bunch in all the different sizes.
FTM
BFP 08/25/19, EDD 05/04/20
- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019I'm big on things being eco-friendly and put a note about that in my registry on buybuybaby. I let people know I'd be getting a lot of hand me downs from my sister and brother and put options for gift cards for activities like a sleep training e-course recommended by a friend who has a three month old (Taking cara babies). Even though I live far away from people I put options for used gifts, books, and general service gifts like babysitting or whatever else the person felt like giving. I also put on a number of donation options and encouraged people to give to babies that weren't as lucky as ours. I tried to put a range of items in terms of price including a couple big ticket items like stroller and crib. I did not like that you can't contribute towards or buy as a gift directly on the registry.
I'm happy to report we got a lot of cash (it's a cultural thing) and no junk that I won't be using. I got boxes of used clothes, blankets, breastfeeding pillow, pregnancy pillow, bouncer etc from my sister and brother.
My sister rented all the decor, we had mostly homemade food served on regular no-plastic/disposable plates. My family is used to hosting big parties but I appreciate that they honored my wishes of keeping everything eco-friendly as much as possible. We gave out tiny plants as favors without any specific tags on there.
Married July 2018
First-Time Mom
EDD: 5/1/20 *please stick, baby*
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
I obviously want to mark it is as bought or something so that no one else gets it. I don't see a way to do that without just removing it. I was worried that doing so would harm any "completion discount" or bonus Amazon could give us for people buying stuff off of the registry? Suggestions?
FTM
BFP 08/25/19, EDD 05/04/20
- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020