Baby Shower Etiquette

Baby Shower Etiquette Do’s

While most of us take care of the following baby shower etiquette requirements, sometimes we simply need a gentle remind to make sure that all of our bases are covered. After all, you want to be remembered as a considerate hostess or a gracious guest, right? As you begin compiling lists for the baby shower, you might want to print this article’s do’s and don’ts to help you.

• Keep communication lines open-This is important whether you are planning the shower or you are the guest. Be sure you communicate frequently with the other hostesses. Don’t assume everyone knows what they are supposed to be doing. If you are the mom-to-be, don’t be afraid to let your needs be known.
• Get those invitations out early-In today’s hectic world, people need to be able to plan around conflicting events. Make sure you give an RSVP number that is easily reached, as well.
• Include information-If the guest of honor has registered at several stores, include this information on the invitation. If the gender of the baby is known, include this, too.
• Provide directions-Don’t forget to include directions to the shower and maybe a map for harder-to-find places.
• Official greeter-One of the hostesses should be the official greeter at the door. Her responsibility is to let guests in, find places for their purses and coats, and direct their gifts to the gift table.
• Start on time-This is essential. Guests may have other places to go, and they may have to leave at a specified time.
• Provide nametags-If you are hosting a small baby shower, you can ignore this baby shower etiquette advice. However, if there is going to be a large number in attendance, chances are that not everyone knows each other. Be sure you introduce guests to each other as well.
• Seating arrangements-For larger showers, find a place that offers plenty of seating so guests don’t have to struggle for a place to sit down. Providing tables for guests to eat at is also a good idea, although sometimes this just isn’t feasible.
• Food-Be sure that there is enough food for everyone. Plan on having leftovers.
• Cater to mom-This is her baby shower, after all, so be sure she has the best seat, and make sure someone brings her gifts to her, writes down who brought what gift, and disposes of the wrapping paper. She may want to save her bows, so put someone in charge of gathering these, too.
• Good-byes-At least one hostess should be in charge of seeing each guest to the door upon their departure. Also, the mom-to-be shouldn’t have to load her own gifts. Enlist the help of a few others to carry her presents to her vehicle.

Etiquette Don’ts

While of course if you fail to do some of the above baby shower etiquette rules, you’ve already committed some don’ts. However, there are a few other no-no’s that you should avoid, whether you are the hostess, guest, or the mom-to-be.

• Don’t ask for special treatment-Unless you are the guest of honor, don’t request that the time or place of the shower be changed to convenience your attendance!
• Be a good hostess-It’s your job to make sure that everything runs smoothly. This may mean that you don’t get to do a lot of visiting with other guests, but that’s ok.
• Don’t ignore guests-There may be a few guests who actually don’t know anyone else in attendance other than the guest-of-honor. Be sure you introduce these guests to others, and take special care that they aren’t left alone without anyone to talk to.
• Serving order-Hostesses eat last. That’s just how it is. The mom-to-be is the first one served, then the guests are served next. If you are a hostess, you may have a chance to gobble a few bites. That’s great, but keep in mind that you’ll need to continue to replenish drinks, serve the cake, and clean up dirty dishes and trash.
• Thank you-If you are the hostess, be sure and thank each guest individually for coming. If you are the mom-to-be, get those thank you notes out as soon as possible. If you are a guest, thank the hostess for the invitation.
• Last one left-Hostesses should clean up and be the last one to leave. No excuses for this one, either!

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