Baby Shower - Salt Lake City,UT

Yes, it is considered very poor form to throw yourself a shower. You can, however, host something like a "Sip & See" after the baby is born. This is popular for babies that aren't the first when it is seen as inappropriate to have a shower. A Sip & See can be done as an open house with light refreshments and punch. Games are generally difficult to do if you don't have everyone there at the same time and at my shower(s) most of the time has been used eating and opening presents, I hardly had any time to socialize.

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I know alot of people frown on throwing your own shower, for your first or last babies. So I would suggest throwing a meet the baby shower!

It can follow the same guidlines as a 'normal' shower but you would throw it a few weeks after your LO is born so everyone can meet him/her.

For your other questions: Light food is fine at that hour just let people know on the invite that light refreshments will be provided. Games are fine but not expected-I personally don't like them. Schedule a start and end time. Then people know if they will be late they won't be coming after everyone else has gone.

This would help you in sending out announcements-make it fun. Say come to the shower to find out how much the baby weighed, etc and turn that into a game?

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Don't throw a shower for yourself. You already said that you are on a tight budget. Buy your baby the things it needs (hello thrift stores and craigslist!). Then once baby arrives, have an open house or brunch where people are invited to come see the baby and say hello to you. If they want to bring a gift then, then that'd be great. On that brunch day, have a friend or someone make fruit kabobs or tortilla pinwheels or other such small snacks for guests.

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Yes, it is tacky to throw yourself a shower.

You can hint around, or outright ask a friend to throw you one, but do not throw one for yourself.

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I know that you have found out that throwing yourself a shower is not appropriate, but I think even having your husband suggest to a friend or neighbor to have one is also not a good idea. A shower needs to be someone's else's idea from the start. If you are thinking of this just for the gifts, that is kind of sad, if you just want people to see your baby and celebrate then an open house after the baby is born is OK, but please do not expect a "large group of people" to bring gifts.

I'm making my mom throw mine, the first one I had was like chicken salad mini sandwiches, cake, punch and mints/nuts maybe some chips and dip? We didn't play games we just hung out (it was mostly family) A neat thing to do that I'm doing this time is having "mocktails" like fake martinis or margaritas, look online for some recipes. Do you have a sister in law or mom, aunt, cousin that would be willing to put her name on the invite as host?

Yeah, no shower throwing for yourself and even gently asking someone to host one is not appropriate either...at least, in my opinion. I really feel this would put someone on the spot...such an uncomfortable position.
I personally didn't want a shower for my second child, and won't be having one for the third child I'm pregnant with. I don't like people feeling obligated that they have to buy me a gift. Many friends/family members will buy you something anyway once your baby arrives. They might even ask you what you need. For my family, there are other ways that we celebrate the arrival of a new baby, besides just a 2 hour (or so) shower.
I think it's a great idea to save your money and use it to buy some new baby necessities. I really never felt like I need much and was happy without needing many of the latest baby gadgets to clutter up my house.

Although I see no reason why a second, third, fourth, or any subsequent baby should not merit a baby shower, it does seem tacky to throw it for yourself. Baby showers or wedding showers are thrown by friends or family of the person being honored (the mother, or in the case of weddeing showers, the bride). I have heard of an alternative idea that may be better suited for you, after the baby is born you can host a "Sip and See" where guests can come and sip (tea, punch, whatever) and see the baby! You can serve light refreshments, no games are nessesary, and it is best done as an open house. It is a good time for gifts to be given as well. Congratulations on your new baby and best of luck!

Maybe you could call it a baby blessing or something along those lines, instead of a baby shower? I think it's sad that no one wants to throw you a shower and I see nothing wrong with having a gathering to bless the new baby. I don't have many suggestions for you for the rest of the stuff, except do what YOU like. Don't play games that you don't like. Don't serve food that you don't like (or can't afford). Just make it casual and fun :)

Very tacky to throw yourself a shower. I would not do it.

I haven't been to many baby showers myself recently and yes things have changed, but here's my opionion...

Unless someone else hosts a shower, I think you should wait until after the baby is born, and have a come meet the baby party. This would work very well as an open house event.

While every child is a blessing and deserves to be celebrated, I'm not a fan of baby showers for 2nd and 3rd babies.

Open house - I've never been to an open house shower. I suppose it could work, but think it would be much more difficult.

Food - If someone is taking time out of their busy schedule to come to your event, and the time and money to purchase you a gift, I think you could give them something much more than cake and a few munchies. You certainly don't need to offer a meal, but a selection of finger foods would be appropriate.

Games - depends on the guests, but I think it's always fun to have one or two silly games.

Congratulations!

We didn't have a baby shower for my second child, but a friend of mine threw a Sip and See. It was a nice way for friends and family to celebrate and meet the new baby. I asked for no gifts on the invite. (however, some people did bring gifts) She made wine bottle labels with the new baby's picture on them and made some lasagna and salad. We also had a cake. My sister just had her third baby, like you almost 7 years later and I we are going to have one for her. All of her kids arrived 1month to 2 months early so she missed out on the baby shower experience.