Think Outside the Box When Sending Shower Invitations
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by: ginathompson
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Word Count: 638
My best friend and her husband are expecting their first child this winter. I offered to throw them a baby shower. They were not so keen about the whole thing when I approached them. Given that they are not the kind of people who like to be in the spotlight, I was not surprised. "I do not want our friends to think we are opportunists, just because we give them all baby shower invitations," they said. Given that I myself am an outspoken opponent of any shower that makes people feel obligated to buy something, I saw their point and wanted to come up with something different. But a baby shower serves a very legitimate and community oriented purpose. A good number of newlyweds are older than their counterparts of 20 years prior. They have jobs and are usually combining the belongings of two households when they get hitched. In the old days, young couples did not have much for their households and bridal showers helped fill that void. 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.
That brings us back to the baby shower for my friends. 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. The only thing that kept our first baby sleeping happily at night was a sleep sack, yet we would have never even tried such a thing if someone had not given it to us as a shower gift. A good number of other guests who will be sent shower invitations may not know the first thing about being pregnant or bringing a baby home. You have now given them an excuse to buy something adorably printed with little doggies from Baby Gap.
We decided to go with a theme that made my friends feel like they were not setting an expectation of lots of gifts. I sent out shower invitations for a "Wisdom and Wives Tales" party. Attendees were to bring a baby proofing item and a supply (diapers, wipes, baby thermometer). 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 printed up and gave credit for all the input in two separate books (one for the good advice; the other, for the ridiculous stuff) for the couple to have. The books were a big hit and my friends adored that everyone shared such helpful information and entertaining tales. And they were very grateful for all the practical items and supplies that will make their life easier when the baby comes home. The baby shower invitations did not set forth any expectation of gifts beyond the scope of the theme. I think all the guests, however, happily brought additional baby gifts. But everyone seemed to enjoy offering support, advice and humor to the expectant couple. And that is the whole reason my friends wanted to get everyone together to help them celebrate such an exciting time in their lives.
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