Hellobee Boards

You know your circle best, but I think my friends would feel obligated to buy something for my child (i.e. buy a Usborne book and say this is for DD) and that seems... a little weird? I can't put my finger on it, but something seems weird about the event.

I would probably have the event, but not connect it to a baby shower? If you want to celebrate the baby I think it's fine to have a little event, but I wouldn't connect it to a MLM party, personally.

@abbydabbydoodlebug: Does everyone know the gender already? because if not I would host it as a gender reveal party. Although might still think they need to bring a gift...
You know your friends best though and know how best you can phrase it to make it clear its not about the gifts

I would feel a little weird about it if my friend did something like this, honestly. Then again, I'm not really into showers after the first child. I'm a little old school, so it's possible I'm in the minority.

I like the idea of a stock the library or diaper party for baby #2 especially since you plan to host. As much as I love the idea of a sip & see are you going to be up for it or even want a bunch of germy people around right after the baby is born? I don't think you need hostess gifts unless you really have friends/ family throwing the party.

I would give this the side eye. I'm not a fan of MLM and I'd feel super awkward about what would be expected by attending.

For my second there wasn't a ton to register for, but people asked me to make one and I found a few things. Diapers and wipes are always needed, more burp cloths and bibs, new pacifiers, new bottle nipples, new lovies, etc.

I know it's become more and more popular to do a direct sales is a wedding shower idea. Like a bridal shower with a pampered chef party. But I think the distinctly it's just too hard. Guest feel obligated to bring a gift, and buy a gift. And then what if they are there and want to buy something for themselves. Think it's best just to separate the party and the sales

@erinbaderin: I agree with this. I always thought baby showers were to celebrate the mom, since the baby isn't born yet. It makes more sense to do a sip n see after the baby is born if you really don't want gifts and want the celebration to be focused on the baby.

I also don't like the idea of combining a MLM party with a baby shower. Whenever I go to MLM parties, I always feel like I have to buy something, even when they claim it's no pressure. So your guests would feel obligated to purchase a book and may also feel obligated to bring a present for you too, so that's two things they have to buy when you say your intent is for no gifts.

I'm also a bit old school when it comes to baby showers, because I feel like people shouldn't host their own, and I'm also not a fan of baby showers after your first baby. A couple of my friends had baby showers for their second babies, and it honestly came off as a little greedy to me. Instead of just asking for diapers or small items, they had registries with expensive items like cribs on there when they already owned one but wanted to upgrade. I'm not saying you're planning to do that, but it can rub people the wrong way.

I don't like baby showers for second babies or sales parties so it's very unlikely that I would attend. If I felt like I had to attend, I might resent it. I just don't see a way you can present this in a way that won't turn people off!

That kind of party would be a hard pass for me. I absolutely loathe it when an acquaintance tries to rope me into MLM nonsense, and friends know better. My circle might be kind of uptight though, because self-hosting showers of any kind would not be viewed favorably.

Why not do a sip and see after baby arrives?

I had thought about having a 'huggies for chuggies' party for this baby, so DH could celebrate with the guys this time, but opted not to after all. It does seem odd to host our own shower-type party and there's too much work/expense involved in hosting that I don't want to bother.

I do like the idea of a sip-and-see afterwords, or if you want to do the Usborne party, just do it w/o any guise as a baby shower.

I agree that the MLM route may not be the best option.

I had a no-gift sprinkle for DS2 and it was nice. People did bring little gifts (we had no registry) like an outfit or new teether or whatever. Our boys were born totally opposite seasons, so it actually was good for us.

Anyway, I just found out my mom is throwing me another sprinkle this time (it's our first girl) because people had been asking her about it and they wanted to know if we registered this time. So, we did (again, for small stuff - some clothes, socks, bibs, and little things for the nursery).

I think it just depends on your crowd of friends/family.