We’re not stuck on the rule that you can only have a baby shower for your first baby. We believe celebrating every baby – whether it’s the first or the seventh – is always warranted. However, there is a big difference in needs when it’s the first baby or the second.
Typically, we don’t need as much stuff when we’re about to welcome our second baby. For example, there’s usually a crib that’s still in good condition we can still use. Same for clothes, swings, toys, and the stroller.
But we all know that gifts aren’t what a shower is about. Instead, it’s all about the celebration and the joy that we get to share with our families. And that’s why many opt for a smaller shower without the elaborate themes, gifts, and guest list for subsequent babies, which is usually called a baby sprinkle.
If you’re planning a baby sprinkle, here are 10 ideas to make it memorable for all the guests and a beautiful celebration for the parents-to-be.
1. Go for a Theme That’s Not So Literal
Like baby showers, baby sprinkles are typically planned with a theme in mind, but we should think outside the box. There are many ways to have the second celebration stand out from the first shower, and we can get more creative with the themes. Think about a book genre as the theme, such as Dr. Suess, Harry Potter, or the Goodnight Moon series of books.
2. Narrow Down the Gifts
For first showers, it’s customary to make a baby shower registry for the guests to choose a baby shower gift. For second baby showers, one idea to help it stand out from the first is to narrow down the gifts. Instead of a registry, tie it into the theme: children’s books, diapers, or words of wisdom.
3. Pamper the Pregnant Person
Baby showers are always about the baby. The pregnant person takes the background even though they’re the one being showered and opening the gifts. For a baby sprinkle, turn the spotlight off the baby and center it on the one carrying the baby. Think gifts for pampering, comfort, and support for the parents instead of more onesies for the baby.
4. Make It Virtual
While traditional showers are in person, a fun idea for a sprinkle can be to make it virtual, opening the invite to people who usually wouldn’t be able to attend. This is ideal for parents who are busy with their older child and can be a fun way to incorporate other kids into the party without worrying about entertaining the little ones.
5. Advice for the Sibling
A fun twist on the popular shower game that has guests write down words of wisdom for the parents-to-be makes it all about the sibling. Have guests share tidbits of information, hacks, and advice for the older child that can be compiled and read to the new soon-to-be older sibling. They’ll appreciate getting some attention, too.
6. Food Is the Way to the Heart
It’s customary for these events to have some activities for the guests to participate in, and since many of the shower ones are tied to giving new advice or decorating clothes for the baby, this can be centered around ways to help the parents transition to being parents of two (or more). Have guests bring freezer meals or host a cooking class of foods the guests can learn to make and stock in the family's freezer.
7. Open Up the Guest Book
Sprinkles are usually smaller events than a baby shower, but that doesn't mean it has to be that way. Instead of making it just for the women in the parent-to-be’s circle, open it to their partner and kids and have a more relaxed, less formal celebration.
8. Don’t Sweat the Games
We know that games at parties like this aren’t for everyone. Often, they can be more hassle than they’re worth and that’s one reason sprinkles are good – they’re way more casual. Don’t put so much pressure on the games. Instead, either forgo them all together or opt for more casual games like writing notes on diapers that the baby can eventually wear or creating an art piece with each guest’s fingerprints.
9. Help the Parents Remember the Moments
Parents are busier when they’re expecting their second baby and it means we don’t have as much time to fill out scrapbooks or take photos of the growing bump. We can use the sprinkle to help take some of that guilt away and encourage each guest to decorate a scrapbook page from their own perspective. One person can discuss Mom’s cravings while others can share some pictures or fun stories.
10. Have the Sprinkle Later
Since second-time parents don’t usually need a lot of items to help them get started with a newborn, there’s more flexibility in terms of when to hold the sprinkle. Instead of waiting until the pregnancy is close to the end, opt for the sprinkle to take place when baby’s already born. This way, family and friends can meet the little one, gifts can be more tailored (if the gender or name were a secret before), and helps it stand out from another baby shower.
