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A baby shower is held to celebrate the anticipated arrival of your bundle of joy. But if you are among those who do not prefer big celebrations, some unique baby shower alternatives can help you plan something different for this fiesta. Typically, expecting mothers invite their friends and family to share the joy of the coming of their little one. But it can be taxing for some, and hence not all to-be-mothers prefer such a grand event. In this post, we bring some interesting alternatives for a baby shower to help you plan a memorable welcome for your baby.
17 Best Alternatives To Baby Shower
1. Baby sprinkle
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A baby sprinkle is a low-key substitute for a traditional shower. All you need to do is keep the invites simple and casual. You can include light refreshments in the menu, instead of a complete meal. You don’t have to plan the games as it is just a sprinkle. It can be a perfect and cozy get-together with family and closest friends.
2. Book drive
It is an interesting and beautiful shower alternative for which you can ask each guest to bring their favorite book for the baby as a present. To add a special touch, they can include a note for the mom-to-be on the cover. The books and messages written on them can make a worthy treasure.
3. Virtual baby shower
The virtual baby shower is an example of how technology can bring innovation to the traditional ceremony. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, it is wise to plan a virtual baby shower. Send out online invites to all the guests and register for online gifts. Planning some online baby shower games can add some more fun to the celebration of pregnancy. You can also have your home decorated for the occasion.
4. Baby shower in open space
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If you have a garden or open space, you can organize a baby shower in a natural spot with your girl friends and close family and enjoy the revelry. It is a good baby shower option when you have to keep a safe distance to prevent virus transmission. You can keep the menu limited to light refreshments and desserts.
Kim, a mother and military officer from Montana, decided to have a Mother Blessing, which comes from the native American tradition called Blessingway. For that, she decided on a backyard theme. She says, “We’re thinking of having her fire pit going in the backyard and giving the ladies an opportunity to write down the things that inhibit them in life, whether it’s in their relationships, friendships, marriage, work, being an adult, etc. After they write them down- we’re going to burn them! Yep, it’s super hippy but I’m crunchy as granola and it’s fantastic (i).”
5. Drive-through baby shower
If you are looking for a unique idea, organize a drive-through baby shower. You can follow the social distancing norms and still have a celebration. If you stay in the suburbs and your guests are mostly locals, a drive-by baby shower can be exciting. The parents-to-be can stand on the porch and wave to the guests as the music plays in the background.
6. A day of pampering
The journey of pregnancy has its challenges, and therefore, organizing a day of pampering for the mom-to-be can be one of the best baby shower ideas. A foot spa, facial, or manicure with female friends can make you feel charged up. You can organize the spa session at home or book a spa to make sure it is completely relaxing. However, do consult your doctor before hosting it.
7. A dinner party
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You can go for dinner with your girl pals to a nice place and have a gala time. The idea neither demands too much of your time nor effort. Shortlist a fine-dining restaurant and make the reservation. If you wish to add a finishing touch to your soiree, arrange some party favors for your guests.
8. Diaper shower
Diapers are never enough, and make a practical choice of gift for the mom-to-be. Plan a diaper shower where every guest would need to give a pack of diapers or baby products to the mom-to-be so that she is ready with enough stock before the little one arrives. Organizing a diaper raffle will add more fun to the function.
Quick tip9. Crafty baby shower
If you have a group of crafty and creative friends, organizing a crafty shower can be wonderful. You can gather together to create burp cloths, bows, ties, dye onesies, and many more useful items for the baby.
10. Help the underprivileged moms
A mom-to-be who doesn’t need any gifts for her baby or herself can help underprivileged moms. You can ask your guests to donate the goodies to the pregnancy centers or local women’s shelters. If you and your friends like the idea, you can create clean birth kits for women who do not have access to resources.
11. Co-ed shower
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Organizing a shower with female friends and their husbands is a good way to include them in the festivity or merrymaking and seek advice from parents who have been through the same phase. Guests can share their experiences and enlighten the parents-to-be with helpful tips to make their journey easier. They can even give some thoughtful presents that will be of great use for the new parents.
12. Donation to orphanages
If you wish to help someone in need, you can always host a shower where guests can come together to make donations to orphanages. Children in foster care homes need so many things. You can donate to bring a smile to the faces of children and make it a thoughtful baby shower.
13. Video wish tree
It can be an innovative shower alternative for those who are tech-savvy. It is a complete transformation of the traditional baby shower. Ask your family members and close friends to create a wish video for the baby and the parents-to-be. It is a beautiful way of sharing words of encouragement and warm wishes with the parents-to-be.
14. Photoshoot
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To keep it intimate and exceptional, a photoshoot with family and a few close friends can be planned as a surprise for the mom-to-be. It would be fun to shoot her with a baby bump and create memories that will last forever.
15. Meal shower
An expectant mother needs to be pampered with all the love. If you are a foodie, you could host a meal shower and ask your guests to get the best meal from their kitchen. And all you get to do is, sit back and enjoy the delicacies.
16. Sip and See
A sip-and-see celebration is organized after the baby’s arrival to introduce the little one rather than stacking up on parenting essentials. Typically held at the new parents’ home, it involves close family and friends. The event offers an opportunity for your loved ones to meet the newborn and celebrate the occasion with light drinks and snacks.
17. Open house
In an open-house baby shower, guests can drop by at their convenience within a specified time frame, often spanning several hours. This event is less structured, omitting traditional games, and includes light snacks. Benefits include the flexibility of accommodating guests in a smaller space and allowing for extended visits. It is also convenient for those with limited time.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a reverse baby shower?
A reverse baby shower is a gathering without the mom-to-be. It is usually done when the mom-to-be lives away from friends and family, the new mom has been advised to rest, or the baby arrives sooner than expected and is in the NICU. In a reverse baby shower, the friends and family members of the mom-to-be get together and bring unwrapped gifts for the mom-to-be.
2. Is it okay to avoid having a baby shower?
Having a baby shower is a personal decision and not mandatory. People may opt out of having a baby shower for many reasons, such as religious beliefs or rituals, lack of time, and health issues.
3. What is a third baby shower called?
Any subsequent baby shower after the first pregnancy is termed a baby sprinkle. It is a less extravagant variation of the baby shower.
4. Is it tacky to throw myself a baby shower?
In the past, when parents used to throw baby shower parties for themselves, it was perceived as an attempt to receive gifts. However, it is no longer frowned upon but is pretty common.
5. Can I ask for gifts without having a baby shower?
A sip-and-see party, baby sprinkle, open house, or virtual baby shower are some ways you can share your baby registry with your friends and loved ones without spending too much on a baby shower.
A baby shower doesn’t always have to be a lavish affair. There are a variety of baby shower alternatives available nowadays to make the baby shower a memorable experience for the mother-to-be while keeping it low-key. A virtual baby shower, drive-through baby shower, dinner party, or charity and donations for needy moms and orphan children are some ideas you can try. These suggestions will help you spend quality time with your loved ones and create an intimate and loving celebration or bash without worrying about party planning.
Infographic: Unique Baby Shower Alternatives
A baby shower is a celebration to wish everything good for the mom-to-be and her unborn baby. However, people may opt for a simple and unique baby shower for various reasons. If you are one of them, check out this infographic for some exciting alternatives to a traditional and conventional baby shower. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- A baby shower does not always have to be a huge fete or traditional celebration.
- You can have small and intimate celebrations with your close friends and family and share your joy and happiness with them.
- Baby sprinkle, virtual shower, drive-through shower, and many more ideas as you scroll down.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Mother blessing prep.https://kimberlyersk1ne.blogspot.com/2016/04/mother-blessing-prep.html?m=0
