How to Include Brothers and Sisters at the Baby Shower

having siblings help out with the baby shower

Expecting a child is always a special experience. Even if you have already had a child, it is not any less special. However, for the older brother or sister, it might be hard for them to get used to the idea that there will be a new edition to the family. To help them ease into the transition, try to get that child as involved as they can. One of the ways to do this is by including them in the baby shower.

You could have the sibling involved in every stage of the baby shower.  An idea to consider is to have a party so the older brother or sister can introduce the baby to others, instead of just calling it a baby shower. This will help to make the older sibling feel special. Have your child help to plan little details such as decorations, choosing the baby gift he or she wants to give, and what kind of food to have at the party.

You might also want to consider giving a gift for the older child at the baby shower.  Guests might also want to think about the baby shower as not only celebrating the arrival of a new child, but also to celebrate the transition of the child into an older sibling.  Some gifts for the older child can include toys, books, or even items that acknowledge that they are going to be a big brother or sister. You want your child to remember that they are a large part of the family and it will make them feel special to be included in the party just as much as the new arrival is.

You can also include your child in the baby shower by giving them some simple jobs to do before the party begins, and once the guests arrive.  They can lick the stamps on your announcements and baby shower invites.  Once the party starts, they can do things such as pass out cups for drinks, going around to make sure everyone is fed, or even to take guests’ coats at the door.  Depending on how old they are, you might even want to consider having them take photos at the event. The whole point is to make them feel as involved as possible during the party.

Hopefully with these tips, the baby shower will be off to a great success. Hopefully our holder child will feel included and not too stressed out during the pregnancy.

 

About the Author

Heather is an amateur party planner – the self-proclaimed ‘binder ninja’!  She occasionally consults on event coordination and etiquette for Paper Style, and loves to write about the things she’s learned with this new life experience!  Her favorite parties to organize are baby showers – they’re the most rewarding!

Tips for a Great Baby Shower

Although baby showers originated in America, they are becoming even more popular for mums–to-be across all areas of the UK. Organising a baby shower is a great way to get all of your friends and family together and celebrate before you deliver the baby. This is also a good time for the mum-to-be to be treated to many new gifts for herself and the baby.

Here are some top tips that will help you to have the perfect baby shower:

Ideally, the organisation of the baby shower should not come down to the mum-to-be. If your friend or a member of your family is due to have a baby, it is always a nice thought to plan the baby shower for them, in order to help them relax and unwind. Planning this occasion can be as big or as small as you like depending on the budget so it is important to think about who you may want to invite, as you wouldn’t want to miss any of the important people!

One of my friends who lives in New York recently had a baby shower and it was such a special day. They hired a photographer who took some gorgeous photographs of the mother to be and her guests. If you are looking for A professional photographer from New York – events, family, portraits, wedding to cover your baby shower, go to olgatopchii.com.

When should you plan a baby shower?

A baby shower is best if it is planned in the final few months of pregnancy. Obviously, it is best if it is not planned too close to the due date; as you wouldn’t want the mum-to-be to go into labour, but it is a nice occasion before the new mum is due to give birth.

Where should the baby shower be held?

To make the mum-to-be feel more comfortable at the baby shower it would be good to arrange the occasion at her family home. Although this may be tricky to keep a surprise, it is sure to be worth it in the end! As hosting a party may take lots of effort and planning it might be wise to get a little team on board that can help with the process from the initial planning stages to the cleaning up at the end!

If the mum-to-be’s home is not a suitable venue, why not hire out a local church hall or function room where the staff may be able to assist you?

How much do I spend?

You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a thoroughly enjoyable baby shower, as many items can be bought on a budget, and the guests can share the cost of the party between them. In this article, it can give you some suggestions. Big gifts are usually essential and sharing the cost of a big gift will really benefit everyone, as you all contribute and it takes a big financial weight off the mother to be. When planning a party it is best to consider the amount of guests, as the cost per head for food, goody bags, prizes, venue, decorations, cakes, photographer and invites can often become expensive when added in total at the end.

Present Ideas

A baby shower is a great opportunity for all the guests to offer gifts suitable for the mum-to-be and also the newborn child. Buying the mother and child a present is a good gesture and will show your appreciation for the party that you have attended.

For the new mum its quite fun to buy gifts that she can use to pamper herself such as a pedicure kit, as she will be able to reach her toes again, or even a comforting dressing gown. For the baby, it’s a good idea to buy baby books and soft cuddly toys that will prove to be comforting for the baby during the very first few weeks of their life.

This article was provided by Shower My Baby; specialists in baby shower decorations for the perfect party.