If you’ve thought about throwing your own baby shower, you should know it is completely okay to host your own (and lots of people do). Today, more and more parents-to-be are hosting their own showers. It’s more common than you’d think, and it’s not the social faux pas it may have been in the past.
However, if you’re looking through a traditional lens, a baby shower is usually hosted by a friend or family member of the expectant mother. Also, there’s a huge debate about whether or not throwing your own baby shower is acceptable.
Maybe you think that throwing yourself a shower could seem a bit tacky or like you just want to receive presents. We’re here to tell you that nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, did you know that 60% of WebBabyShower clients have thrown their own baby showers? This shows how popular it can be to take the planning and throwing of a baby shower into your own hands.
Why Throwing Your Own Baby Shower Makes Sense
Are you thinking of throwing your own baby shower? Sometimes it makes perfect sense, and is also easier to do! Here are some excellent reasons to host your own event:
- You need to have control over your baby shower so you can celebrate exactly how you want. You understand how hard it can be to organize a shower for someone else, and you want to take the guesswork out of it for your friends and family.
- You’ve recently moved, and now your close friends and family live long-distance.
- You want a shower that is unique to you, and you don’t want dated baby shower etiquette to get in the way of your celebration.
- You don’t want an extravagant shower and want to keep things light and simple.
- Depending on the complexity of your event, baby showers can be expensive. You don’t want family and friends to bear the cost of the baby shower.
- You are unclear about whether someone is throwing you a surprise shower but want to plan something just in case.
- Your friends and family may not have the time to plan a baby shower for the date you want.
Are you curious about hosting your own baby shower? Keep reading to see if throwing a baby shower makes sense for you as a parent.
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7 Reasons Why You Should Throw Your Own Baby Shower
There are several great reasons why someone might want to throw their own baby shower, ranging from the cost to being far away from loved ones.
You Want to Take Control of Your Shower
If it’s important to you to have control over your own baby shower, you may consider hosting your own. You may want it organized a certain way, with a timeline that makes the most sense to you. You can also choose your own décor and menu items however you’d like. Instead of leaving this up to someone else, you can host your shower exactly how you’d like it.
Using a baby shower website will help you stay organized. Through the site, you can send invitations, keep track of headcounts, send pregnancy updates, share information about your baby registry, and a lot more.
You can also combine an in-person shower with a virtual shower to include everyone. This is a great option if you have loved ones who are long-distance or are unable to attend in person.
Learn more about how to organize your baby shower.
You’re a Long Distance Away from Your Family, Friends, and Everything Else!
Moving far away from family and friends can complicate throwing a baby shower. If your loved ones are long-distance, you might not have someone who can host a shower for you. In this case, throwing your own shower may be the best option.
You have the option to combine your in-person shower with a virtual baby shower to include everyone you love in the celebration. You don’t have to worry about family and friends missing out when you host a hybrid shower. This is the most viable option, and it’s best when you host it yourself.
Don’t Want a Traditional Baby Shower
You don’t want baby shower etiquette to hold you back from having the shower you deserve. That includes throwing the shower yourself, and including any elements unique to you, regardless of tradition. After helping thousands of people across the country host their baby showers, it’s clear to us here at WebBabyShower that the perspective needs to shift.
If you think baby shower traditions will stop you from making the most of your celebration, you might decide to throw your own shower. When you host your shower, you can decide for yourself which traditions you want to keep, and which to skip. Do you want to trade the usual gift opening tradition for a nursery tour, or host a co-ed party? The choice is completely yours – this is what inclusive baby shower etiquette is all about.
Don’t Want an Extravagant Shower
If the idea of an extravagant baby shower just isn’t your thing, you may consider hosting the event yourself. This way you get to decide how elaborate it will be. You’ll also get to focus on the elements that matter most to you, which might not include multiple balloon arches and fancy hors d’oeuvres.
Are you concerned that family or friends might throw you an extravagant baby shower? Hosting the shower yourself allows you to take charge and throw a baby shower on a budget.
You Don’t Want to Cause Financial Stress For Anyone
This can go hand-in-hand with our previous reason for hosting your own shower. You don’t want to put a financial burden on your family and friends, especially if you think they might throw you a lavish shower.
The cost of an in-person baby shower is rising. Depending on the complexity of the event, an in-person baby shower can cost as much as $1,000. You might not feel comfortable with your family and friends spending that much money on your shower.
If your loved ones insist on hosting your shower, you can share with them ideas on how to throw a baby shower on a budget.
You can also pick and choose the things that matter to you. When you throw your own baby shower, you can decide what is worth spending money on and what isn’t.
Also Read: Ask an Expert: How to Take DIY Newborn Photos Easily
Maybe You’re Getting a Surprise Baby Shower This Time
Surprise baby showers are always a possibility. If no one you know has mentioned anything about a baby shower yet, you may be wondering if someone is planning something but hasn’t told you. This is likely the case if you have close friends or family that live nearby.
A good solution for this is to begin planning your own baby shower. This means that either way — whether someone has scheduled an event or not — you’ll be prepared. In addition, if you make it known that you’re hosting your own baby shower, this will alert anyone who’s planning on surprising you. Then they can make adjustments to their schedule or let you know about the event.
Get Them Involved
If someone does wind up surprising you, it’s easy to share your WebBabyShower with them and make them a co-host so they can manage your event.
In addition to this, our platform isn’t just a one-day thing — your membership extends for several months, all the way through your birth announcement!
This means you and whomever you choose to co-host can create multiple announcements and chances for the guests to connect with the expecting parents. It’s the ideal solution for anyone hosting a baby shower.
No One Has Offered to Throw You a Baby Shower
Perhaps no one has mentioned throwing you a baby shower, and your due date is approaching. Or, maybe you have other kids and people aren’t sure if you want a baby shower or not.
It’s even possible that, if you’re the first person in your friend group to have kids, they’re just unsure of how to plan an event.
Regardless of the reason, it’s totally possible to find yourself in this situation, and you may not feel comfortable asking someone if they’re planning on hosting.
The easiest thing to do in this case is to throw your own baby shower. It’s a great opportunity for the mom-to-be to create a party that’s exactly what she wants.
How Do You Plan a Baby Shower for Yourself?
When you’re throwing your own baby shower you have to take the role of the host. That means planning games, deciding on a menu, choosing décor, and managing the guest list. If you’ve hosted a baby shower or other event for a friend, you already have a good idea of where to start. It’s the same when you’re planning your own shower, except you are the host, not a friend or family member.
If you’re not familiar with the process or where to begin, check out WebBabyShower’s planning checklists. Read this baby shower checklist if you’re throwing an in-person shower. Or if you’re hosting an online event, read this checklist for a virtual baby shower.
Alternative Ideas to a Baby Shower
Maybe a baby shower feels too planned or doesn’t seem right for you. No problem — there are plenty of other ways to celebrate that are equally fun and will suit you better.
A Small Dinner Party
Keep it simple by inviting some close friends and family over for dinner. Allow them to bring you a few gifts, too, and then have a casual meal.
Better yet, meet at a restaurant! You won’t be responsible for cleanup, food, or decorations! Your guests can chip in for their meals and spend a few hours celebrating with you.
A Sip n’ See Party
A Sip n’ See party is a chance for guests to visit with you and the baby after the birth. They can stop by with gifts, see the new bundle of joy, and sip some drinks or have snacks. It’s casual, easy to plan, and fun!
A Mother’s Blessing
This concept isn’t as well known as a traditional baby shower alternative, but it is equally meaningful. What is a Mother’s Blessing? It is based on a Navajo ritual called a “Blessingway,” and is a chance for the new parents to gather with loved ones to prepare for the new baby in a more spiritual way.
This celebration may include music and presents and may focus on pampering the mom-to-be. However, it is less focused on entertainment and is more about positivity and supporting the new parents.
Since it is more spiritual, it takes away some stress from mom. If she is going to plan her own party, she might consider a Mother’s Blessing to be a more relaxed and unique approach.
WebBabyShower makes it possible for you to throw your own Mother’s Blessing event, as well as a baby shower. You can do your Mother’s Blessing virtually or in person — or have a combination of the two to include family and close friends worldwide! Read our guide about a Mother’s Blessing for more information.
Looking for other baby shower alternatives like an open house or a sprinkle? You can read about more ideas here.
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