Margerle

In the US the people who throw the shower are usually co workers, dear friends or family (or all of the above)! I've never heard of anyone throwing themselves a shower.

So it's like having a pre-birthday party for the LO combined with a celebration for the mom.

Tezzy

i would clearly state not to bring gifts and i wouldnt have a list of things to buy the baby.

Tezzy

i sent a text message to my best friend asking her if she thought it would be a good idea and she replied 'leave it to me '

Jazzy

I wouldn't have one myself as a lot of people now think they should bring a gift and I'd rather them get something once the LO is born instead of feeling obligated to get one, but its a good idea to all those who want one

Tezzy

as i said lol i wouldnt want people to bring gifts at all, if people want to buy gifts when our daughter arrives then thats fair enough but i dont want people to feel like if they come they need to bring something

Jazzy

Which is a great idea honey, and I hope you have a great day, my family tend to be different though and would think that we were only having one to get presents, sad but thats what most of my family are like

Holldoll

The point in the US is to get presents! That's why you usually only have a shower for the first baby. And MAYBE if you are like Tezzy and are on the second, but it's the opposite sex, but usually not. And like someone else said, you never throw one yourself, someone else does it for you. I'm having two, one with clients and one with friends. I think the friends one I'll have DH come for the opening presents part, or maybe do it coed, I'm not sure yet what the hostess is planning. But I definitely want him there for the gift part.

Mantha3

I am american and I had a baby shower with my first son when living in the US. But now I live in Belgium and they don't do them here. Nor do they do anything after the baby is born. Pretty much they just register and send out birth announcements with where to get them a gift or send money (kinda wierd to me). Obviously you can call the people you're close to when you are in the hospital and they will come visit. Anyways.. I decided to throw a "baby shower/welcoming party" AFTER my son was born. I threw one when he was about 1-2 weeks old. I kept it simple and did it at my house and served champagne, coffee (other drinks) and served cake and pie. I did it like an open house in the late afternoon between 2-5 pm. I just included it on the birth announcement. It ended up being a hit and lots of people came to meet my son. If I am in Belgium when this baby comes I will do the same thing. People thought it was really neat and they all got to meet him. You could try that?

Mantha3

I think it is a misconception that baby showers are only thrown to get gifts. I am sure there are plenty of people who do but.. it is done correctly and with people you love it is more of a time that you celebrate the change in your life, your pregnancy, the baby to come and many other things. I live in Belgium and we don't have a party or anything but people STILL register for gifts and send out announcements. NO you are not obliged to buy a gift but people KNOW if you don't. I don't see much difference between the two. Just that with a baby shower you are fed, play games and get to talk with the mommy to be. But that is my opinion... I think if you want a shower... DO IT!!!

Vickie

I agree with Mantha, it's not seen as imposing on people and making them bring a gift, it's about celebrating the new mother and her unborn child. And if you want a shower, I say go for it! If you are more comfortable telling people not to bring gifts than that's fine too! It's whatever you feel most comfortable with! Don't be surprised though if a few do go ahead and bring a gift or two.