Is there Proper Etiquette for Baby Showers?

Proper etiquette exists for baby showers, just as it exists for almost everything else in life. The rules of preparing for and hosting a baby shower are always changing, but a few general ones should always be followed. These basic rules of proper etiquette for baby showers are as follows:

Rule #1-Who should host the baby shower? In the past, normally co-workers or close friends hosted the shower. However in more recent years, siblings of the soon to be parents or other close relatives have hosted them.

Rule #2-Can men attend the shower? Generally baby showers are attended by women only, but if the dad-to-be enjoys this opportunity to open gifts, then by all means invite him and his friends too! However, if you choose to have guys at the shower, it may be wise to steer clear of the cutesy games, as they may not appreciate them too much. But food on the other hand, is always enjoyed by everyone.

Rule #3-Are invitations necessary? Traditionally, invitations used to be mailed but in this day and age it is acceptable to invite guests via email or telephone. One advantage in mailing your invitations however, is the ability for it to serve as a reminder to the guests.

Rule #4-When should the baby shower be given? Generally, the shower is given four to eight weeks prior to the baby's due date. This time frame allows ample opportunity for the new parents to purchase other necessary baby items that weren't received at the celebration. If for some reason this time frame is not possible, an "after baby" shower could be thrown. This type of shower has its advantages because there's no guessing on the sex of the baby, so buying a gift becomes much easier. This also works great for those that have family and friends out of town. If the shower is given after the new baby's arrival, the friends and family will get to meet baby and bring gifts on the same visit.

Rule #5-Is a registry acceptable for baby showers? Formerly, when concerning a baby shower, it was considered quite rude to request guests to bring specific gifts. Advising guests of certain nursery themes were acceptable but that was it. However, the shower or gift registry has gained popularity in more recent years because it saves everyone time. And in today's fast paced society, we'll take any saved time we can get. On this note, with a baby gift registry, it is very important that you have a wide range of gifts for guests to pick from, taking every possible budget into consideration.

Rule #6-Should there be party favors for the guests? It is a very nice gesture to have small party favors for the guests. This shows appreciation for their attending and bringing a gift. It's not so much what you give them, it's the act of giving that counts.

Rule #7-Are Thank You notes necessary? Absolutely! Sending notes of appreciation for all the gifts received is a must! At your shower, you should ask someone close to you to keep record of the gifts and from whom you received them. Your shower host should be able to supply you with everyone's address, since they invited the guests. And when sending out thank-you notes, don't forget a small thank you gift for your host. If possible, get these out prior to baby's arrival. After the bundle of joy arrives, life will become quite hectic.

Rule #8-Is it appropriate to hold a shower on behalf of baby number two? Having a baby shower for the second child is indeed appropriate. You will need some new items for this new arrival as well. There is a difference however, that usually for this shower you should only invite family and friends that are closest to you; and perhaps people that weren't invited to the first shower.

Again, etiquette is constantly changing. As long as you take into consideration other people, rules can always be bent or broken in the world of baby showers.