Length in time/hrs for Baby Shower UPDATE Post #76 Pg 4

[blana]

Two hours is the standard length here.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'll just throw in here that I had a shower for my 3rd child. Also had one for 1st baby, but not second (only 18 months between them).

We had no "baby stuff" including a crib when we found we were having #3. We married late and had 2 kids right away. Then we lost one. By then, due my "advancing age" we figured we were done. We gave away/threw away all little baby stuff. Surprise! 5 years later baby #3. The ladies at our church had a shower for me. It was so nice.

 

[cijay]

My son & Fiancee each own a home-each has "hand me down" pots & pans, cheap dishes , cheap toaster etc
so its nice to 'start fresh"with dishes, wine glasses, flatwear that they BOTH like and selected

I guess it would be (wouldn't know LOL), yes, dishes and flatware would be shower gifts but they're giving toasters and blenders for shower gifts here. I call those wedding gifts.

 

[cijay]

I'll just throw in here that I had a shower for my 3rd child. Also had one for 1st baby, but not second (only 18 months between them).

We had no "baby stuff" including a crib when we found we were having #3. We married late and had 2 kids right away. Then we lost one. By then, due my "advancing age" we figured we were done. We gave away/threw away all little baby stuff. Surprise! 5 years later baby #3. The ladies at our church had a shower for me. It was so nice.

I'm glad you got your wee surprise. This is what I was saying about the 'second baby' shower. When your kids have a large age gap, things may not be handy anymore. I know someone who, when his wife miscarried went off the deep end and gave EVERYTHING away while she was in the hospital. I'm talking - the whole nursery suite. I wish I'd known them at the time,, I would have stored it for them.

 

[cijay]

You are right, most couples aren't going from their parents home to their own like years ago. They already have the essentials. I guess if they have had that toaster for a while they deserve a new one! LOL

Yes a toaster is a good idea, as I said but we used to call that a wedding gift, not a shower gift.

 

[shoney]

Yes a toaster is a good idea, as I said but we used to call that a wedding gift, not a shower gift.

Around here, wedding gifts are cash only, so the shower is the only actual gift giving event.

 

[tinatark]

In my circle, there are usually anywhere from 6-12 hostesses for a shower and everyone brings at least 1 food item and often 2 each. We are Southern - food is important! There's almost always coffee frappe, water and punch available (we're Baptist - no alcohol). Fruit trays, veggie platters, cheese straws, mini pecan pies, chips and dips, cookies, brownies -- everyone has their specialty and brings it. (Side note: 3 young men from our church have gotten married this year and they were the first men ever to attend the church bridal showers with their brides. All 3 of them were amazed at the food spread at each shower and were overheard commenting about the mass quantities.) Most of these showers have guest lists of 75-100 ladies, though, so it's not some small intimate party.

Typically, the honoree and her family show up maybe 15 minutes before the guests are to arrive. Once people start arriving, say at 2:00, we chit-chat and mingle and eat. After about a half-hour, the honoree takes her spot and begins opening gifts. She continues until she's done. People come and go as they are able. Some will sit and watch every gift being unwrapped, some will continue to hover near the food tables and eat. Since there are multiple hostesses, some of them are usually helping take gifts to a holding area for display, some are keeping food refreshed and picking up abandoned dishes.

It's a very laid-back type of atmosphere.

ETA: All the showers I go to are in homes.

The showers here are mostly like that - except either in a large home or church parlor.

Anytime I have hosted a shower, the invite has had a start and finish time. Usually 2-3 hours.

I like the drop in shower idea, too - have been to several of those. I often drop off my gifts at the shower location and duck the shower altogether.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This Sunday I'm attending a baby shower for soon-to-be-born Great Niece.. So very excited!

This afternoon a relative called complaining that the shower is only 2 hrs long. She also said "If" she attends she'll be hanging around afterwards even though she knows the hostess is a stickler about her plans. All I can say is I sure hope she RSVP'd as requested.

Anyone?

I have never been to a 2 hr shower either, they are usually about 4 hrs.

You will have to post an update to see how the hostess got the relative to leave.

 

[Daisy62]

I guess it would be (wouldn't know LOL), yes, dishes and flatware would be shower gifts but they're giving toasters and blenders for shower gifts here. I call those wedding gifts.

Toasters and blenders wedding gifts? Not at any wedding I've been too. Wedding gifts are generally money or some fine china or something. Shower gifts are household stuff like small appliances and the like.

Also I've never been invited to a shower that had a end time on the invite. Always just a start time. Two to three hours is the usual time.

 

[aprilgail]

I guess it would be (wouldn't know LOL), yes, dishes and flatware would be shower gifts but they're giving toasters and blenders for shower gifts here. I call those wedding gifts.

Toasters and Blenders for a wedding gift?? Those are SO shower gift things here. Weddings are checks or cash here- shower gifts and engagement party gifts are things like toasters, blenders, china, flatware etc.

 

[cijay]

Toasters and Blenders for a wedding gift?? Those are SO shower gift things here. Weddings are checks or cash here- shower gifts and engagement party gifts are things like toasters, blenders, china, flatware etc.

That's actually one of the reasons I don't go. My gifts are not up to snuff. They say it's the thought that counts so that's what I do, I think of them. Oh, so you just give money at weddings where you are? I think it's a bit different here then ... I don't know, it has been about 15 years since I went to a wedding that had gifts at all LOL. Like I said, most of my friends are on their second wedding or they're having destination weddings or they've asked for no gifts, just mark the day with them.

My niece laughs and says it's because I never married so I had to buy everything that I wanted for myself so I'm not really wrapping my head around someone just giving you an appliance. Hells bells I don't know, I work in a thrift shop now, we get brand new small appliances by the score! Some even have 'congratulations' cards still in them.

Apparently, gift certificates for portraits is a bad idea for a baby gift, too BTW.

 

[Christine]

For my first child, I had a large baby shower. Needed lots of stuff. Even though I had my own home and some money, all the stuff you *think* you need gets pricecy and it's kind of nice to have a shower which really helps with that.

My second child was 3.5 years after my first. First was girl, second was a boy. Of course I had a crib, stroller, changing table, diaper genie, all those things, so I really didn't need a shower. But my best friend threw me one anyway (what would be called a Sprinkle today) and I had about 10 people there (3 friends, two aunts, two cousins, my mom, etc) and it was just really simple. I got a new infant car seat, some "boy" stuff and that sort of thing. It was really a nice thing.

 

[mjkacmom]

Yes a toaster is a good idea, as I said but we used to call that a wedding gift, not a shower gift.

That's never been a wedding get here, definitely a shower gift. I lived on my own 5 years before we got married, and everything I owned was garage sale finds, or "dead aunt." I really appreciated my shower gifts!

 

[littleblackegg]

I think this is one of those generational things. Women in my mother's family are often shocked by the etiquette choices of the younger generations, even though they are perfectly polite. They are used to big parties and long white dresses and sit-down meals and bridesmaids all wearing the same dress and very traditional baby shower parties. I think more informal parties that may be shorter and not have meal catering or parlour games can just be new to them. It seems like it should solve itself with a little graciousness and understanding. Traditions change. Not every family gathering involves a heavy meal and hours and hours of socializing any more. Maybe someone could politely get her excited for the next big family gathering and whatever dish she usually contributes. I know I will one day be the old lady standing there with my casserole dish saying, "What do you mean nobody wants my knishes?"

 

[Judique]

My daughters office worker friends gave her a baby shower last night and it was at a restaurant and a complete surprise to her!

I think there are two more showers in the near future as well, because of different sets of people who want to do things. One will be close family, while another is being given by friends.

Can't wait for the baby to actually get here!

 

[NewRVLady]

.

My niece laughs and says it's because I never married so I had to buy everything that I wanted for myself so I'm not really wrapping my head around someone just giving you an appliance..

My son's wedding registry had Mixer, blender, toaster, Food processer-is that what you mean by "appliance"?

Most give very generously-however my dear cousin , who lives on a very modest income-takes the wedding invitation, applies it to a decorative pottery grenware and fires it for her wedding gifts-I really like this-so personal-and she doesn't have to spend too much $$

 

[NFLDERS]

I have never been to a 2 hr shower either, they are usually about 4 hrs.

You will have to post an update to see how the hostess got the relative to leave.

I will if I "remember" to.

 

[cijay]

My son's wedding registry had Mixer, blender, toaster, Food processer-is that what you mean by "appliance"?

Most give very generously-however my dear cousin , who lives on a very modest income-takes the wedding invitation, applies it to a decorative pottery grenware and fires it for her wedding gifts-I really like this-so personal-and she doesn't have to spend too much $$

That would be an appliance, yes but we're talking shower gifts vs wedding gifts. If a couple had a toaster on their wedding registry, I would slip up, faux pas and give that to them for their wedding. I actually did something similar to he pottery thing, I took their engagement photo and had it put on a door knocker. (Don't do that, kay?)

 

[sasywtch]

I think I just come from the tacky part of the country where we through etiquette out the window or we just don't care. Baby showers or bridal showers here have always been at someone's house and may even be given by the bride/mother's mother. dips with chips/veggies, nuts to snack on when you arrive, punch/coffee, open gifts so everyone can see (there might or might not be games but those seem to be going away), eat cake and leave. If I was the new mother or new bride, I'd rather have the money you spent on the sit down dinner for gifts than the dinner itself.

I am one that admits that showers are gift grabs, that's what they were meant for. To help the new bride/groom/mother out. I don't have a problem with additional baby showers for kids 2, 3 4 but unless circumstances as the poster above, it is usually clothes for additional kids. I think it's fun to go out clothes shopping for a new baby. Bridal showers here are a mixture of house goods, money and nighties for the bride : ) Weddings, mixture of house goods and money.

 

[NFLDERS]

OP here, I'm back home that is. So.. Dnil hostess of the shower, and brother of the niece who the shower was for let Dsil know with no uncertain terms the shower was now over. However, because we left before she did I'll hear about how it (her leaving) went later in the week. I found out an interesting fact though when Dsil leaned over, and asked me if I'd ever been to their home before?

Well, I wasn't about to lie so I said yes, a couple of times. That's when Dsil told me this was her first time, and that they'd never been invited! I didn't have to give any comment in answer because it was officially time for the games.

The foods offered up were great including one of my, and one Ddil's very favourite tiger shrimp, and cocktail sauce. The other Ddil's favourite (German Heritage) Octoberfest sausage was offered too. Also, veggies, cheese, spreads, fruit, and cracker trays. Punch, and cake.

Two things are worth mentioning; one was that Dnil (Hostess) didn't mind at all that some of we older guests did not participate in the games. The other is that the punch had a foamy like texture, and there were 3 "Rubber Duckies" floating around in it. It looked precious but, I'm wasn't sure about drinking it because of the ducks!

Alas, I drank it anyway.

Well that's all for now. Night all.