Most often, the host pays for the baby shower. This is not always one person. For example, several aunts and cousins might cover the full tab of a shower at a restaurant, or a group of coworkers may help coordinate all the decorations, food and fun.
So generally, at a traditional baby shower, the expecting mom is kept free of the baby shower planning and payment. But honestly, this is becoming less and less common. But if that's your game for sure check out our baby shower checklist.
Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, and coworkers of the parents-to-be have been the appropriate hosts for baby shower parties.
Who plans and hosts a baby shower? According to tradition, baby showers should be hosted by a friend or distant relative (like a cousin or an aunt) instead of a close family member. This custom is believed to have developed in order to avoid the appearance that the family was simply on a mission to collect gifts.
Tradition states that a friend or close family member should be the one who plans the baby shower. Hundred-year-old rules aside, we say you should ask someone that you feel comfortable with. Someone you know will do a great job and has the time to plan — even if this person isn't a “traditional” choice.
Traditionally the host will pay but this will depend on many factors. This includes the venue, budget, size of the guest list, and how extravagant it may be.
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.
The host pays for the expenses of the baby shower. That being said, co-hosting a shower with one or two others is a good way to split the costs (and the planning).
On average, a realistic budget for planning a baby shower can be anywhere between $500-$1,000 depending on the size of the guest list. There are ways to minimize the cost such as making decorations instead of purchasing them or preparing the yourself instead of hiring someone to cater the event.
The average baby shower budget should be about $400, but you should roughly plan out what the shower will look like before setting this amount. Naturally, the costs will increase as the budget does; this is typically true for virtual baby showers.
Should you open gifts at the baby shower? Tradition would have you open all the gifts in front of the guests. But, times have changed and it's more common not to.
As this user demonstrates, it's ok to ask for what you want. So, don't be afraid to tell your close friends and family that no one is throwing you a baby shower. Sometimes, your loved ones may assume that someone else is doing it, which is why they haven't offered. If still no one offers, there's no need to worry.
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.
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.
Because gifts are central to showers, having a member of the honoree's (or husband's) immediate family host appeared self-serving. Today it is appropriate for anyone to host a baby shower, as long as there's a legitimate reason.
What happens at a baby shower? At a baby shower, people celebrate the pregnancy and celebrate the soon to be the arrival of the baby. The venue is decorated, drinks and food is served and games are played.
It may or may not seem obvious, but the mom-to-be or the parents-to-be are the guests of honors at baby showers. If the baby shower is more traditional where only women are invited then the guest of honor will be the mom-to-be.
Traditionally, according to baby shower etiquette, the host would be someone outside of your immediate family – like a close friend or relative. These days, the baby shower rules are more relaxed, with some pregnant mamas even hosting their own baby shower if they're not keen on handing over the reins.
What Do Guys Do During a Baby Shower? Guys do the same things when they go to baby showers that women do! That is, they celebrate the mom or couple, bring gifts, and enjoy the food and entertainment.
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.
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.
But sometimes you don't have friends or family that are able to throw one, so the mother-to-be may throw her own baby shower. Back in the day, hosting your own baby shower used to not be common but nowadays throwing your own baby shower is more common since many friends and families live far away from each other.
A baby shower usually lasts 2-3 hours. Budget about 30-45 minutes at the beginning for guests to arrive, nibble on some food, and mingle with one another before the games / entertainment begin. Spend the next 30-45 minutes playing games. And the rest of the time having cake and opening gifts.
Respond with Gratitude
All baby shower gifts must be acknowledged with a thank-you note, even if the honoree thanked the participants in person.