New parents need a lot to get started, and a baby shower is one of the best ways to help make that happen. It’s a chance for loved ones to demonstrate to the parents that they care and are there for them. In the past, having a second-baby shower has been frowned upon, since the parents are likely to already have the big items like high chairs and changing tables. It is now more acceptable to have a shower for a second baby, but you have to make some modifications.
You might also make it a “baby” baby shower – as in a shower focusing on those small, basic items that are always going to be needed, like burping cloths, diapers, and other essentials. You can also make a list of whatever the parents say they need but did not receive with their first child. Another option is to make it a shower for mom instead of a shower for the baby, and ask the guests to bring items that mom will need and appreciate at the end of her pregnancy and shortly after the birth. These gifts might be luxury items like a box of decadent chocolates, or perhaps something practical, like a stationery set to respond to gifts.
Your shower can be extra entertaining if everyone brings gifts that remind mom that she is also a woman – fun items like a comfy lace nighty or a yummy alcoholic beverage. The guests might choose to pool together to buy a gift certificate for something extravagant like a day for two at the spa or a fancy dinner – but be sure to include babysitting arrangements. Another option may be to sit down with the guests and the father before the party and make up a calendar (use a dry-erase version) with helping-out offers.
These can include cleaning house while mom and baby are in the hospital, taking the older child to school in the morning so mom can sneak in a little extra sleep for the first week, or scheduling a weekend for going to the warehouse club store or making a big grocery run. The calendar can be revealed to the mom-to-be at the shower, along with all the names and phone numbers of the volunteers. Sometimes, both the baby and the mom have everything they need already. You can choose to commemorate the upcoming event with a simple party with her friends and family.
You could ask the guests to buy baby items, smaller items like diapers and clothing, and then bring them to donate to a women’s charity or shelter. You can also ask guests to bring a dish that can go in the freezer or stored in tupperware (a “freezer” party instead of a traditional shower). This will be much appreciated by mom during the final days of her pregnancy and the days immediately after the birth. It is important to hold this shower quite close to the due date, of course, and to be sure that the mom has enough freezer or storage space to make it work.
Finally, if the new baby is going to be several years younger than the next-oldest sibling (a so-called “caboose” baby), you can feel free to host a full-on baby shower. A lot of moms and dads won’t likely have even the big items (cribs, etc.), anymore, or they could be outdated in terms of safety requirements.
No matter what kind of shower it is and what kinds of gifts are given, don’t lose sight of the main reason you are there – to show the mom-to-be your love and let her know that you are there for her and her new baby.
Thank you for reading our article, for more info check out baby shower invitations, baby shower cake ideas and baby shower favors. Please take care and gave a nice day.
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