In general, a coed baby shower can be a great idea, depending on the people involved and their preferences. Having a coed baby shower allows both the mother- and father-to-be to share in the joy and anticipation of the new baby.
It also allows friends and family to form bonds with each parent and to have fun together as they celebrate the upcoming arrival of the baby. From a practical standpoint, a coed baby shower can be a great way to incorporate both parents’ interests instead of just one.
Additionally, it can offer an opportunity for the parents to get the help and items they’ll need for the baby from both male and female perspectives. If done correctly, a coed baby shower can be a great way to celebrate the expecting family.
How do you throw a fun baby shower?
Throwing a fun baby shower doesn’t have to be complicated – with a few planning and the right decorations, you can create a memorable event.
First, decide on a theme that fits the parents-to-be’s style. This can be anything from a classic pink-and-blue color palette to a funky and modern style. Choose decorations that match the theme and make the event feel extra special.
Have a tight guest list to ensure the guests have enough space to mingle. Send out invitations and assign tasks to friends and family so you don’t feel overly overwhelmed.
Figure out the menu. If you’re working with a tight budget, potluck dishes are the way to go. If you have loads of time, you can prepare a few signature dishes to surprise guests. Serve both hot and cold beverages, and have a few deliciously-decorated baby shower cakes to match your theme.
Create a game or two for guests to enjoy. These can include classic baby shower games such as guessing the gender or due date of the baby. You can also brainstorm some unique, original games.
Keep the environment upbeat and inviting. Ask for help from others in setting up, and then it’s time to mingle and get chatting! Play some fun music, lay out some decorations and snacks and you’ll have a great baby shower ready for the guests.
How long should a coed baby shower be?
An average coed baby shower usually lasts between two and four hours. Guests will usually arrive at the designated time, which is usually between 1 p. m. and 4 p. m. , depending on the time of day and host’s preferences.
The shower should follow a general flow of activities and events, such as playing baby-related games, opening gifts, refreshments, and socializing. If a meal is part of the shower, it should last around one hour.
After the meal, guests can continue socializing and playing games until host to decide it’s time to wrap up the event. Depending on the guest list and activities, the shower may be able to extend to five or six hours.
However, if the host feels like the event is dragging on, it may be best to wrap up the shower at around the four-hour mark.
Who pays for a coed baby shower?
A coed baby shower is a great way to bring friends and family of a pregnant couple together to celebrate the upcoming arrival of their baby. Generally, the mother-to-be’s family or friends will take the lead on planning and paying for a coed baby shower.
The immediate family of the mom-to-be may be responsible for the majority of the financial contribution to the event, but it’s also totally acceptable for the dad-to-be to help shoulder some of the costs, either through monetary contributions or through lending a hand with planning the event.
Other helpful family members, friends and acquaintances may also be involved with either footing the bill or providing assistance with the tasks necessary to put the shower together. It’s important to consider if any of the guests have dietary restrictions or are vegan/vegetarian when deciding who should be asked to provide food or beverages.
Ultimately, however, the cost should be shared between whoever is willing and able to help.
What should you not do at a baby shower?
At a baby shower, you should avoid any activities that could be seen as rude or insensitive. For example, don’t use any language or make jokes that could offend other guests or the mother-to-be. Similarly, you should avoid discussing topics associated with sex and childbirth, as these can be sensitive topics for many people.
Other topics to avoid include money, religion, politics, unsupportive comments about parenting, and negative comments about babies or children. Finally, you should avoid activities that could be seen as competitive, such as baby-themed trivia or game-like activities, since the goal of the baby shower is to celebrate the mother-to-be and the new baby, not to “win. ”.
Who is financially responsible for a baby shower?
The responsibility for a baby shower ultimately falls on the person or persons who are hosting the event. Typically, this is a close family member, such as a mother, aunt, or mother-in-law, but anyone who is close to the expectant parents can take on the responsibility.
Generally, it is expected that the host is the one who foots the bill, though there is the option for other attendees to help out with financial responsibilities if the host is agreeable.
The financial responsibilities of the host may include invitations and postage, food, decorations, and any venue costs. Gift acquisition is traditionally not the responsibility of the host, although some may choose to contribute.
Additionally, depending on the size of the event, some may choose to hire additional staff, such as a photographer or caterer, which would also be the responsibility of the host.
Should a mother in law host a baby shower?
This is a tricky question to answer as every family dynamic is different and family members will have their own opinions on the matter. Ultimately, the decision should be left up to the expecting mother, who should be the guest of honor at her baby shower.
However, if the expecting mother and her mother-in-law are close and the mother-in-law is interested in hosting the shower, she certainly should be given the opportunity to do so. Depending on the traditions in the family and the mother-in-law’s relationship with the mother-to-be, there are certainly a number of ways that a mother-in-law can contribute to the shower.
If the expecting mother is comfortable with the idea, the mother-in-law could host the shower at her home or coordinate with other family members to help with decorations, food, and activities. Alternatively, the mother-in-law could plan and host what is commonly referred to as a “sprinkle” or a “Sip and See,” which is a smaller event that is usually intended for the mother-to-be alone and typically involves a few close friends and family members.
Regardless of how the mother-in-law contributes, it is a lovely gesture that the expecting mother and her partner can look back on fondly in the years to come.
How much does it cost to give a baby shower?
The cost of hosting a baby shower can vary greatly, depending on the type of event you’re hosting. For an intimate gathering at a home, the cost could be relatively low, as guests may be asked to bring a dish or game.
Expenses could include decorations and favors, refreshments (such as food, beverages, and cake), party rentals, and a small gift for the expecting parents. On the other hand, a large, more elaborate baby shower held in a restaurant or venue could range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the number of guests, the type of event and the location of the venue.
Can you have a baby shower with men?
Yes, you can absolutely have a baby shower with men! Baby showers are all about celebrating the new arrival and giving gifts, support, and love to the expecting parents. That makes it a great opportunity for men (or anyone, really!) to be part of the joyous occasion.
Creating a co-ed baby shower allows a wider variety of friends, family members, and acquaintances to be involved and is often welcomed by those about to become parents. Men may love to bring their own unique perspectives and gifts, or to just kick back, relax and get in the spirit of celebration.
Hosting a co-ed baby shower can also be a great suggestion if the expecting parents want to build a stronger relationship between their families and/or different generations. One option is to have a combined baby shower, such as a surprise lunch gathering.
This provides a more inclusive atmosphere and can become a great memory for the expecting parents and their families. Alternatively, you can organize separate shower events for women and men that can either be the same event with two different times, or take place at two different times.
No matter how you choose to organize the event, everyone is sure to enjoy the festivities!
Does husband come to baby shower?
The answer as to whether a husband should come to a baby shower depends on the couple, the type of baby shower, and the preferences of the parents. In many cases, when the baby shower is celebrating the impending birth of a child, husbands are included in the festivities.
If the event is specifically a women-only event, then the husband should not attend. Couples should also consider any special traditions and customs associated with baby showers in their culture when deciding whether the husband should attend.
Ultimately, the decision rests with the parents who can take the time to discuss their preferences about the husband’s attendance. If the couple would like to involve the husband in the baby shower, then there are a variety of ways to have him join in.
For example, the couple could plan a mixed gender baby shower or have the husband drop in for a portion of the event. No matter what, the most important part of the baby shower is celebrating the upcoming birth of the child and making memories that will last a lifetime.
How can I make my baby shower more fun?
There are many ways you can make your baby shower more fun and enjoyable for you and your guests! Here are a few ideas:
1. Incorporate creative activities – Activities like a baby bootie decorating contest, themed trivia about parenthood, and diaper bingo can liven up the atmosphere and get everyone involved.
2. Have an interactive photobooth – Set up a space with props and a backdrop, and encourage everyone to take silly photos.
3. Play baby-focused games – Popular baby shower games like Baby Alphabet and Baby Scramble are light-hearted and easy to play. Other ideas include guessing how big the mom-to-be’s baby bump is or blindfolding one of the guests and having them pick out baby items based just on the feel or smell.
4. Serve special food and drinks – Prepare foods and drinks that are both delicious and adorable. You could serve cookies that are shaped like tiny babies, or prepare a mini cake with a “It’s a Girl!” topper.
5. Create a special gift registry – Have a registry that contains items that can be used in the nursery. This can help guests easily purchase special gifts for the new arrival.
Finally, don’t forget to also look out for the mom-to-be and make sure she’s comfortable and well looked after. Making sure the mom-to-be is comfortable and her needs are catered for will go a long way in making sure the baby shower is a fun and memorable event for everyone.