Baby showers how long

But they certainly aren't obliged to do so—a shower invitation is an invitation to a party, not a demand for a gift. It would be perfectly fine for the invitee who can't make the party to wait until the baby is born , and then send a gift. Usually within two to three weeks after the shower—unless, of course, the baby's birth intervenes.

In that case, it's fine to wait until after the hectic postpartum period is over. It's nice to thank your hosts with a special token, too. A bouquet of flowers, a batch of cookies, or a small piece of jewelry would make great baby shower hostess gifts! I thought this article was really great, the only part I disagree with are the registry rules. I think it's perfectly fine to put the registry information on the invitation, most people will be looking for it.

I also think it's fine to insist on people using the registry. Personally, I'm planning on dedicating a lot of time to putting together my registry and we don't a huge house to store things that we don't want.

My advice to anyone who is giving a gift that is not from the registry: make sure you give a gift receipt! Your Baby Shower Etiquette Guide. By Debra Jo Immergut. Save Pin FB More. Never include the registry information on the invitation put it on a separate slip of paper, or let interested guests inquire with the host Never insist that guests use the registry they should always have the option of giving whatever they'd like.

Comments 1. Sort by: Newest. Newest Oldest. Read More. Load More Comments. Close this dialog window Add a comment. You can use a private Facebook message to get an email or snail mail address as long as you follow up with a proper invitation.

Generic pastel pinks? Seuss or Taylor Swift. Some ideas for inspiration:. Check out other celebrity baby bashes for more A-list baby shower theme ideas.

Another popular pop-culture theme is Disney faves, especially classic characters like Mickey and Minnie. Or just go all Hollywood and make the mom-to-be feel like a red-carpet-worthy star. But instead of the usual pastel hues, try bold yellows, black and white, or lavender and green for a sophisticated twist on tradition. Think nautical, world travel, eco-consciousness, exotic flowers, yoga, country music, modern art or whatever piques her interest.

Since most showers are afternoon affairs, keep the menu light and flavorful. Think light, fruity and colorful. Yes, eating, drinking and opening gifts are the main event, but games and activities give your shower personality and make it more meaningful and fun. You might ask guests to bring a piece of advice specific to this shower—for example, about having a boy, having twins or having a baby in the city.

A big trend these days is a gender-reveal surprise, where the mom-to-be opens a box filled with colored balloons and everyone gets to watch the pink or blue balloons float into the air. As presents are opened, players check off the corresponding squares.

Whoever gets the first bingo wins a baby shower game prize. Or let everyone get their craft on by decorating plain white onesies with washable markers. What a way to give baby a custom wardrobe! Not sure when you should have your baby shower? The short answer is that there's no "right" time — some parents opt for a shower early on in their pregnancies, while others wait until a week or two before their due dates.

Ultimately, the timing of your baby shower depends on what works for you, your family and the person hosting the event. Still, many moms-to-be report a sweet spot of the early- to mid-third trimester, when they are far enough along to be showing and have finished setting up their registry , but not so close to their due date that they're feeling overly tired or rundown.

Although some pregnant women have energy up until the end, others may not feel enthusiastic about socializing late in the third trimester. How much time you have after the shower is another consideration; cut it too close, and you might not be able to finish writing thank-you notes before your little one arrives. Many parents also appreciate a few weeks to unpack their gifts, wash new clothes and set everything up in baby's nursery. Because there's always a chance your little one will arrive early, having a buffer of a few weeks between your shower and due date may also give you some peace of mind.

Of course, everyone's situation is different. For some parents-to-be, their ideal baby shower timing could conflict with holidays or other big events where guests will be out of town. And if your shower is being held at an outside venue, you might be limited by the dates they have available. You'll likely also want to make sure that potential dates work for key people involved, such as close family and friends.

On the other hand, if you're opting for a virtual baby shower , scheduling tends to be a lot easier. Below, What to Expect community members share how far along they were when they had their baby showers — more proof that there's no right time or way to celebrate a new arrival.

Having a sprinkle for this bub and we are doing it around the week mark because we are having a gender reveal at the same time. For instance, if I was having one this time around, I'd be having it [at 23 to 27 weeks]. Hoping that's not the case, but definitely want to be prepared if it is. I have friends who had their shower around 28 weeks, and they said it was great because they had a lot of energy still and were able to really get everything settled.

I'll be 29 weeks. I'll be 30 weeks, nearly 31 weeks pregnant.