Consider a different type of celebration. While good etiquette doesn't prevent you from having a second, third, or fourth shower, you may opt to tweak some of your plans if you've recently had your first baby—especially the gift-giving obligation.
Is it okay to have more than one baby shower? Definitely! Friends, coworkers and family are as excited about your new baby as you are, and chances are they want to shower you with gifts. Since it's up to others to throw the shower, you can have as many or as few as you like.
Every pregnancy deserves celebration, but since the true purpose of a baby shower is helping new parents acquire gear and supplies, it's probably not necessary to host a traditional baby shower for second or third children.
A Baby Sprinkle is celebrating the second and third children and so the gifts are going to be different.
Years ago, it may have been thought baby showers were only appropriate for a woman's first child. While some may still stick to that rule, baby shower etiquette has changed over the years. It's now considered acceptable to have a baby shower or baby sprinkle for second or third babies (or fourth or fifth!).
The hostess traditionally pays for the baby shower and its associated costs. However, the hostess can divide up the responsibility and costs by asking a few close family members or friends to co-host. This helps to reduce the overall expense and alleviates some of the financial obligation of hosting a baby shower.
Strict rules like “female guests only,” “the parent-to-be or their immediate family can't host the shower” and “you shouldn't have a shower for any baby after your first” were largely indisputable 60 to 80 years ago. Some people love sticking with those traditions, but with new decades come new flexibility.
Can You Have a Baby Shower for Your Second—or Third, or Fourth—Child? The short answer is yes, but you may need to adjust your expectations.
Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, or co-workers of the mother-to-be hosted baby showers. Because gifts are central to showers, having a member of the honoree's (or husband's) immediate family host appeared self-serving.
It is now acceptable to have a baby shower for a second or even third child, even if they are the same gender. Every baby can be celebrated and it's a great opportunity to get together with family and friends.
While traditional baby showers consist of women only, co-ed baby showers are becoming more and more common. However, if you're looking to throw a traditional baby shower and still have the dad-to-be attend, this is completely acceptable and appropriate as most dad-to-be's will want to thank guests before they leave.
Traditional Baby 100 Days Celebration Gift: ang baos
The amount given should end with an even number while favouring the auspicious number eight. Giving new parents an ang bao with $88 or an amount with “88” in it signifies wishing double fortune and blessings.
Baby Shower vs Baby Sprinkle
Second babies deserve to be celebrated as much as the first, so if you are keen for a second Baby Shower, then go for it! Usually, Baby Sprinkles are held by couples expecting their second (or third/fourth) child and who already had a Baby Shower with their firstborn.
Traditionally, baby showers are intimate events, with the average number of attendees being about 20 and definitely fewer than 50. After you figure out who you want to invite, you'll have a baseline guest list.
While baby showers have traditionally been all-female affairs, it's becoming more and more popular to throw “co-ed” baby showers, including both male and female guests.
As a fast rule, baby showers are often held at the end of the second trimester or early to midway through the third trimester — usually four to six weeks before the due date. Expectant parents who are having multiples may prefer to have the baby shower on the earlier side.
As much as guests would love for the mom-to-be to open their gifts, proper etiquette is respecting her wishes and not asking her to open the presents during the shower.
Though a gift is expected if a guest attends, guests should only be invited to help celebrate the upcoming arrival, not for the gift they bring. If a guest is invited to a shower but can't attend, there is no obligation to send a gift, though they certainly may if they want to.
For coworkers or acquaintances, people tend to spend around $30 to $50. For friends or distant relatives, many people spend between $50 and $100. For close friends or family members, most people spend between $100 and $200 or more.
While a hostess gift is not a necessity, but it is certainly a very kind gesture. Even though a baby shower is given out of the goodness of one's heart, a baby shower hostess gift just says, "Thank you." If someone throws you a surprise baby shower, you are not expected to have a hostess gift immediately.
If so, you'll be relieved to know that having more than one baby shower is completely acceptable. Not only that — 72% of Babylist users reportedly have more than one shower, according to the data, and we see the exact same thing. Typically this entails a baby shower for each side of the family or co-workers.
It is considered inappropriate for you or your spouse to throw the baby shower. It is considered rude to ask someone to throw you a baby shower. Typically a close friend or one of the grandmas-to-be will throw a baby shower. It is acceptable to have a sister or other family member throw the baby shower.
Baby showers last on average 2-3 hours, depending on what's planned for the celebration. Plan for enough time to enjoy all of the baby shower games and activities you have planned for the day. Factor in things like the opening of gifts, snacking on hors d'oeuvres and cake, and catching up with friends and family.
Don't Schedule It Too Early or Too Late
A baby shower should not be held before the 20-week mark in pregnancy. Showers held too late, after 38 weeks, run the risk of the baby joining you for the baby shower.