Think Outside the Box When Sending Shower Invitations
My best friend and her husband are expecting their first child this winter. I offered to throw them a baby shower. They were a little wary at first. They are pretty non traditional and did not want to obligate people to buy them a lot of stuff. “I do not want our friends to think we are opportunists, just because we give them all baby shower invitations,” they said. I understood their sentiment, as I too do not like the concept of the 5 bridal showers some brides throw that always seem to make guests fork out more than they are comfortable with. I also know that baby showers represent something altogether more fulfilling emotionally than the average greedy bridal shower. A lot of brides and grooms are waiting until later in life to get married. Most of them are well established in their careers and already have everything they need for their homes. Unlike when the bridal shower was first created, many couples do not need assistance with the basic things needed for a house. Guests receiving bridal shower invitations should be asked to help celebrate, not reach into their pocketbooks. Friends and family will always want to give gifts anyway, but you want them to feel unencumbered and inspired when doing so.
My friends who were against the idea of a baby shower were afraid of those same bridal shower expectations. I assured them that guests receiving baby shower invitations would be the same people who were overcome with a desire to help as soon as they heard the news of the pregnancy. Expectant first time parents do not have diapers, cribs and baby clothes hanging around the house, regardless of how much money they make. Being pregnant with your first baby, can make you run and hide with confusion over how to prepare. By getting your friends and family together for a baby shower, you allow them to offer advice and give you items that will make your life so much easier. I had no idea what a Boppy pillow was before our baby shower, and it turned out to be the thing I relied on most (next to my husband) for the year after we had our first child. Shower invitations will also be received by people who have no idea what having a baby is like. Those guests have been looking for a good reason to go into that baby boutique and buy you the softest baby blanket known to man.
I came up with an idea that was well received by my friends. Their guests received shower invitations that asked them to attend a “Knowledge and Myths” party. Guests were asked to contribute some kind of baby safety item (outlet protectors, baby gate, baby monitor, etc) and some kind of nursery supply item. I also asked the people who were given shower invitations for the best piece of knowledge they received before they had a baby, and the most ridiculous thing masquerading as advice they had received. I took all the tidbits, had them professionally printed and bound, and gave them to the expectant couple. They loved the books and the fact that their friends and family offered such great advice and funny stories. They were, of course, now stocked with diapers, cream, magazines for labor and delivery, swaddling blankets, lullaby CDs, etc. The baby shower invitations did not set forth any expectation of gifts beyond the scope of the theme. I am almost certain everyone gave something in addition to the supplies and safety items specified in the invitation. But everyone seemed to enjoy offering support, advice and humor to the expectant couple. And that is what it is all about.
September 28th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
A traditional message will tend to be more formal, with an appropriately worded invitation, along with the name of the bride, the date and time of the party, as well as its location. Traditional bridal shower invitations also typically mention the required attire, and include a mention of the name of the person who is hosting the party.
Bridal shower invitations that take a casual approach can be a lot more informal and often includes a simple, and sometimes humorous rhyme. Of course details such as the name of the bride, as well as the date, time and location of the party should be included as well. A themed bridal shower often requires a different approach.
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 am
I will use this info.
November 12th, 2009 at 6:31 am
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