https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:03:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-520706 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:29:44 +0000 blackbird 520706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, it depends who's throwing it. My mom insisted on throwing mine and asked for a ton of opinions on what I wanted. It was kind of annoying because I essentially felt like I was planning it, but she lives OOT and wanted names of restaurants and such, so I made a list of nearby places and gave them to her. She keeps asking for my opinion on *everything*, and sometimes I give it (ie the cake flavor or a game that I refuse to play, like the one where we all guess how big I am.....no thanks, I don't think ANY pregnant woman wants her measurements shared with 30+ people) but sometimes I just tell her to do what she wants because I don't really want that big of a hand in it! But there's plenty of room for input, had I wanted to give it, ya know? So if your mom or sister is giving is, you probably have more leeway to make a suggestion. </p> <p>Ultimately, all I really cared was that there was cake that I liked and we didn't play too many games, LOL. And that's mostly b/c I know that between lunch+presents+games, 99% of the guests don't want to hang out with me for 5 hours :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-520657 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:00:02 +0000 heffalump 520657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think a baby shower should be put on for you, the mommy to be doing no to little work. It's your day to be lazy and pampered. Not plan, decorate, and cook. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-520612 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 06:34:31 +0000 KissMeCait 520612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with you. In my opinion, it's rude to plan a party where people are expected to shower you with gifts. I don't have an issue if the expecting mom (or bride) is involved in some aspect, but someone else should really be taking on the brunt of the planning and hosting. </p> <p>My friend planned her own shower in its entirety but slapped her moms name on it to make it look like she was hosting. In her case, her mother was a very simple woman and probably wouldn't even have sent out invitations let alone decorated. I didn't love that she controlled the whole thing but what're ya gonna do? It's not like I'd ever decline an invite just because the guest of honor has more input than she probably should. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-520611 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 06:32:17 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 520611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been invited to a shower that was clearly given by the mommy to be and her sister helped with logistic. The mommy to be is over the top and wanted the shower to reflect that. I did not attend because it was out of town, but I sent a gift off the registry.</p> <p>I get the idea of if it's a shower aka gift-giving event then parents to be should not host, rather the shower should be thrown in their honor on their behalf of their future baby. But, if parents to be throw the shower themselves it's still in honor of on their behalf of their unborn child. </p> <p>Co ed showers, diaper dad, gender reveal parties, and welcome baby/ sip &amp; see showers are gaining popularity and seem to be hosted more and more by parents to be. I would not be offended or think twice about attending a parent to be hosted of these showers. I would be offended if a parent to be pretended not to throw the shower her/himself to save face. If no one offers to throw you a shower then just be upfront about that this is your event.</p> <p>I attended a few showers where I was the work friend or friend of the husband and the Mom to be helped her hostess' out by getting my contact info for the invite. I have helped a friend set up for a shower that she was throwing for her good friend. The Mom to be in that situation picked the location of the shower. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-520587 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 04:42:33 +0000 sylvie_b 520587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like a few of the mamas here, I've been more involved in the planning of our coed shower, since we have so many different groups of friends, we're having it at our new home as a pseudo "housewarming," and because we're not having a traditional "shower" (no games, no watching us open presents- it makes me feel so awkward!). My best friend is "hosting" by planning the decor, activities and treats, but we sent out the invites and will be helping out with the food (it's a BBQ and the hubs is manning the grill). :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-519394 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:21:01 +0000 LindsayInNY 519394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites - That'll be me... DH and I don't have any family in the immediate area and I don't know if I have any friends willing to do it. I think I'll basically plan on behalf of my mom/sister and try to ease some of the burden? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-519322 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:45:01 +0000 Meridian 519322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think about this too... amongst my family and friends, I am the planner of the bunch (hello, I'm a wedding planner by trade!!). So I'm wondering who is going to plan my baby shower... </p> <p>I've planned 3 great bridal showers for others in the past, but my own bridal shower was kind of blah, and I was sad about it for a long time. I wish it wasn't considered bad manners to plan my own baby shower, because I would plan an awesome one! HAHA! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-519295 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:32:01 +0000 Mrs. Train 519295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I helped but that's just because my mom isn't as good at party planning so she asked for ideas but on the day of I didn't do much work </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-519286 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:26:25 +0000 softcream 519286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>curious, any differing opinions? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-499321 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:51:52 +0000 softcream 499321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ok, sounds like i don't have weird expectations for a baby shower. i said above that i'd like to offer suggestions, but if they want to surprise me, that'd be fun too.</p> <p>the question came up because one of my friends asked if i was planning a shower and if i needed someone as a hostess. i thought that was kind of a funny way of putting it, and i wasn't sure how to answer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-499256 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:22:06 +0000 regberadaisy 499256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL and good friend hosted and planned it. They both asked my opinion in colors &amp; schemes etc. If they asked, I responded.<br /> I tried not to give too much input. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-499209 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:02:23 +0000 Smurfette 499209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have one this weekend and hen another in two weeks. But all I have done is provide the guest list and say the date was ok with me. I don't think the guest of honor should do anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-499038 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:51:37 +0000 runsyellowlites 499038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Because of the way my circle of friends and family are if I didn't plan my own shower I wouldn't get one..... I didn't get a bridal shower because of this small detail.</p> <p>SOOOOO..... my mom &amp; a couple friends "hosted" my shower by paying for and making arrangements I directed. I designed my invites &amp; they got them printed &amp; sent them out... I made the decor &amp; made the menus &amp; they helped me set up (I'm totally type A) and they ordered, made, and delivered the food. Once at the shower they were in charge of everything we did. Basically I told them what I wanted and they did it. lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-498992 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:28:32 +0000 LuLu Mom 498992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am in the process of hosting my 6th baby shower &amp; what I do is have the mom to be give me the guest list, date, and whether she would like a brunch or afternoon shower, and if she has any cravings. But I keep the invites, food, themes, games (in our group we stay clear of all embarrassing games), ec.t until the time comes so there are some surprises! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-498988 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:24:15 +0000 Foodnerd81 498988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't had a baby shower, but I've hosted/planned two, and they were like you said-- the guest of honor gave us a list of names to invite and we agreed on dates, then I left them out of it and planned a shower I thought they would like. If you have theme or location ideas, I guess you could suggest them, but I think this is a case where you are better letting the hosts come to you if they have questions. You can also request games or no games or whatever, but too much and it gets a little pushy, I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-vs-planning-a-baby-shower#post-498972 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:18:48 +0000 softcream 498972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i'm of the camp that thinks the parents-to-be themselves shouldn't be the ones hosting their own baby shower. but i also would like to offer suggestions on the format and theme of the baby shower.</p> <p>how does that work? what's the extent of the host's duties? do they plan, pay for, and send out the invites for the shower? i always figured it would be like a bridal shower, where i just show up as a guest after providing the list of invitees.</p> <p>how did your baby shower work out in terms of hosting and planning? </p>