Have to start planning my baby shower soon...couple questions

[sandandsun]

So, I'm in a weird position. I'm almost 3 months pregnant (scan on Wednesday), and after that my hubby and I are going to plan a trip to see my family...which is when my little sister also wants to throw us a baby shower!

My sister and I are very close, and she loves planning events. It's basically her dream to throw my baby shower (she's been planning it since before I was pregnant! lol). Hubby and I live in Southwest Florida. My ENTIRE family and almost all my friends are in Michigan.

A couple questions...

Is 6 months pregnant too early for a shower? I'd know the gender, would be "showing," and I feel it's less risky at this time to fly. I really would not want to fly beyond 7 months. Having a shower a little earlier than typical feels like my only option if I want to celebrate with my family/friends.

Is it totally tacky for my mom/sister to ask our guests to bring gift cards and/or small gifts? We had this same situation at our wedding shower and no one in my family seemed to mind in the least bit because they understand we live across the country. I felt weird about it, but my mom/sister felt this was best and let everyone know. Because we've always lived FAR away, there's no way we could fly home with huge gifts. It would be difficult and so expensive! OR should we just pay to ship everything to us, and pack the small stuff, like clothes? I'm stuck here. I don't care much about the whole "getting gifts" thing, but I do it for my family because I know it's tradition.

P.S. My mom never said "only bring gift cards" in the invitations for our wedding shower - she just sort of casually mentioned it when family asked what we wanted.

I know it's early to be planning this, but I'm in a situation where I have to and my family is SO EXCITED to start planning. I only see them once a year and my extended family even less. We plan to book flights after our 12-week scan.

Thanks for any input!

 

[AJR14]

If you make a registry they can have it shipped to your house. Usually for free also. I don't think it's tacky, especially with you living far away and not being able to see them very often. I'm going to a baby shower this month for someone due in October. It's her first and I thought it was actually pretty smart as she had the crib, car seat and stroller etc in her registry. Then she'll have time to get what she needs and didn't get as a gift before baby comes.

 

[Scout]

I don't think it's tacky to mention to people you'd rather have gift cards or small gifts, given your situation. I think people understand, especially when it's family and close friends. I also like what the previous poster said about registering and having gifts shipped to your house from the registry. As a guest, I'd probably rather do that bc I love shopping so much!

I love it when the person planning the shower is as excited, or even more excited, than the mom to be. My cousin threw my shower and that's how she was. We had such a good time. I loved it. Anyway, plan away and have a great time!

 

[QuintinsMommy]

with my first I had my baby shower at 6.5 months because it just fit with scheduling around holidays and weddings etc. hope you have fun!

 

[Stellae]

I agree with the shipping idea. We did our baby shower registry on Amazon.com and it worked out really, really well for that purpose. I had a friend who did something similar and asked to have gifts sent, then she and DH recorded the present opening and sent the link to everyone with the time on the video their present was being opened (ex. Carol Smith, 2:55). That way older relatives still got to see the reaction, but no one had to sit through the agony of present-opening!

 

[sandandsun]

Thanks for the responses, ladies! I love the idea of shipping to another location (my home) if guests choose that option! How convenient would that be!

I talked to my sister, and we decided not setting any "rules" was best. But we're hoping through word of mouth that people will choose to buy gift cards and/or ship gifts to our home in FL. Opening a few things at the shower will be nice, but shipping is expensive...so the less we have to ship, the better. I think my family/friends will just be happy to see us and won't mind not necessarily buying everything to be opened at the shower.

 

[Radkat]

I had this same situation with my shower. I was going to be visiting my parents/where I grew up and my aunt wanted to throw me a shower. I was only 6-6.5 mo pregnant. They just spread the word that gift cards would be appreciated, but we also registered so that people could buy gifts and have them shipped to our house. Only one person did. Most people did gift cards. A few did clothes. I think gift cards are easier for the buyer too.

 

[sandandsun]

I had this same situation with my shower. I was going to be visiting my parents/where I grew up and my aunt wanted to throw me a shower. I was only 6-6.5 mo pregnant. They just spread the word that gift cards would be appreciated, but we also registered so that people could buy gifts and have them shipped to our house. Only one person did. Most people did gift cards. A few did clothes. I think gift cards are easier for the buyer too.

Great to hear that I'm not alone in this situation! I'm so glad it worked out for you. I think my mom will do the same thing - spread the word. I'm sure most people will choose to buy gift cards, but I don't mind shipping a few gifts if needed.