Baby showers are something I’ve always loved. I love to go to them, I love to host them, and I love to have them thrown for me.
Personally, I had two baby showers. The baby shower for my firstborn was the full meal deal with a large group of people eager to play games, eat treats, and purchase items off my registry.
I had an equally fantastic, generous shower when I had my second baby. I was told not to worry whether it was “acceptable” to have another shower because A) I was having a different gender than my last baby, and B) it had been nearly six years and I obviously needed new baby things.
I found comments like this interesting. It never occurred to me that someone wouldn’t have a baby shower for a second child (or third or fourth, for that matter). I mean, don’t all babies deserve to be celebrated?
While I stopped baby-making after my two kiddos, it just so happens that the majority of my friends and family members have grown their families substantially more than myself — popping out three, four, even five babies. Because of this, I have found myself the hostess of many a subsequent baby shower and have discovered that many people find it assuming or not “acceptable” to have a full-blown shower for baby after baby after baby.
So, being a true believer that having a baby deserves a celebration — both for the mama and the newborn — I've compiled a list of tips to help you shower those you love with love, over and over again.
Tip #1: Don't call it a shower
As silly as it sounds, just creatively renaming this celebration to something like Brunch, Sip & See, Diaper Drop-By, or Birth Tell-All disarms those Karens with their negativity regarding too many showers for one mama.
Tip #2: Don’t make it a time suck
Claiming an entire Saturday afternoon is a lot to assume when hosting a baby shower. Try doing it open-house style with treats and a guessing game that can be done as people come and go. The guest of honor can get a chance to visit with people as they arrive, and people can stay as long or as short as they want. During pandemic times, try a socially distanced drive-by shower.
Tip #3: Don't focus on the gifts
This is the main reason why haters gonna hate. To avoid comments like, “What could she possibly need?” and “Doesn’t she already have three kids?” try offering an option to contribute to a group gift on her wish list or suggesting diapers or wipes. Even a simple “Gifts Optional” on the invite is all it takes. But still include that registry. If there's ever a call for some swag, it’s birthing a child.
Tip #4: Focus on the new baby
Even the biggest baby shower cynic can’t argue with the sweet specialness of a new baby. Regardless of what type of shower you choose to do, focus on this new life and the privilege it will be for us, as family and friends, to join together to bless and support this new addition to the world!
