Baby Shower Etiquette: The dos and don’ts of baby showers

Wondering about baby-shower etiquette? If you have no idea about who to assign to what, or what your baby shower responsibilities are, here’s a simple checklist to help you plan the perfect shower.

Baby shower host: Duties

While the current trend is for anyone to throw a baby shower, strict shower etiquette says a shower should be hosted by a friend or not-so-immediate relative, such as a cousin or aunt. The host will greet all guests personally, take their coats, indicate where presents should be deposited and offer them a beverage. This greeting process will not only please Miss Manners but will bring a warm, rosy glow to all your guests and get the party started off right.

Make them make friends

If your guests belong to different social circles, break the ice by making introductions or starting the baby shower with a game.

Baby Registries: The gift of giving

Guests have taken a lot of care in selecting their gifts, and part of the fun is watching the mom-to-be open presents. Proper etiquette suggests that gifts be opened toward the end of the shower to avoid the impression that presents are the primary purpose of the party.

Thank you notes

It’s still considered proper for the expectant mom to send thank you notes. Designate a gift recorder and note all the gifts and their givers. Help the expectant mom write personalized thank you notes, select cards and envelopes, and then get to licking and sticking.

A proper goodbye

If some guests need to leave early, walk them to the door thank him or her for coming. At the end of the shower, make sure to thank all your guests for coming and see them off at the door. Make sure the mom-to-be has an opportunity to get in her thanks and goodbyes too.

Keep these tips in mind and enjoy a perfectly civilized baby shower. As long as you’re handling decorum and etiquette, that’s one less thing for the mom to be to worry about.