Baby Shower for My Brother's New Baby

We've hosted two different "guy" baby showers, one for a couple, one where only the dad-to-be attended (she was on bedrest). One was held in a local bar/grill in a private room. Food was very guy-friendly (mini cheeseburgers, chicken wings, etc.) and his favorite beers. The Cubs were on TV and we plugged in the IPod in the background. He couldn't believe how much fun a baby shower could be (we called in a welcome baby party) and actually got into opening the gifts.

The other was held in our backyard, barbecue style. We had two grills with burgers, brats, chicken, had some outdoor yard games, very casual. We had outdoor lights so when it got dark the beer drinking continued with gift opening and the night wrapped up with many games of cards by candlelight! This was the one where the mom-to-be was on bedrest, so it had much more of a party atmosphere.

Regardless, my view is that we are in the 21st century now and just because a man isn't carrying the baby doesn't mean he can't enjoy the celebratory preparations too! My husband who is a "guy's guy" actually enjoyed the gift openings at our couples showers because we registered together - a great idea for expecting parents.

That's such a great idea! I read over the suggestions and they sound great - I guess you should keep in mind the mother's feelings, too. Even if she is "nothing" to you, once this baby is born - she'll have to be "something" to all of you - so how you act now may ease any possible drama down the road...good luck

Long ago they used to have "pound" parties for expecting parents - everyone in the village would bring a pound of something - butter, flour, etc. This was so that the family would have everything it needed for a while so they didn't have to leave the house! I have heard of people doing a similar thing, but bringing already prepared meals that can be frozen - so when baby comes, you can just defrost, heat and serve!

Also, at out baby shower, a friend of our go a tool belt and filled it with baby essentials - wipes, diaper cream, gas relief drops, infant tylenol and more - he LOVED it!

I think even a shower with all the essentials like diapers, wipes - or even gift cards would be good. If he is excited, anything will be great!

Good Morning I had a baby shower for my brother and it was very successful only guys went. I set up everything food munchies games prizes etc, They had a great time and still talk about it. This shower was 18 years ago.

Hi S.,
We have a close friend who is in the same situation and we had a "shower" for him. It was more like a couples shower/party...men and women, food, cake etc, but with more of a party atmosphere. Good luck!

Hi S.,
I would say have a get-together instead of a "shower". Send out invitations that say you are having a party to celebrate or get ready for the upcoming arrival. You could list times that would help your brother get started (diapers, wipes, stroller, pack-n-play) if they wanted to help out and keep everything casual. If the weather is nice you could make it a cook-out style with yard games or cards(if they play), invite others to bring their own kids to keep everything fun.
Ditch the everyone sitting around and just keep everything laid back. Good Food, Good Friends, and Fun, what more do you need?!
Best Wishes!

it's great you want to help out your brother, but you really should have a shower for the both of them. Could you just play silly games directed towards him? I would feel really bad if my possibly soon to be new family removed me from a celebration about my baby.

well.....dads need guy things for taking care of babies. Are you planning on inviting guys,couples or females only to the shower??? I would plan a shower around the guest list. For suggestions,games that would make him think about the types of things needed for a diaper bag. fill a bag with all the necessities and do a memory game to see how someone can remember. slip the labels off 5-6 baby foods to see if he can identify them. There are some really cool masculine diaper bags so a dad can carry as well and not feel out of place. Dads can be pampered a little as well after the birth of a baby. get him guy things like movie rentals for a night in ( of baby sitting), nice shower set in his favorite scent, heck even a tee proclaiming his capability of being a "new" dad. Just do everything in reverse as if you were doing a mom/girl shower. The creativity goes on!!! good luck and have fun planning as well as having...sounds llike fun!!!!! J.

Perhaps you wait until after the baby is born and have a welcome baby party. That way everyone gets a chance to meet the new baby, since some of your relatives may not be comfortable stopping by the hospital (given the situation). And then you avoid the whole shower stigma.

My mom gave me a cute idea to throw in for the shower I'm throwing a girlfriend of mine. If there are men invited, she had said that it's nice to have each male guest bring a pack of diapers...Nothing fancy, mushy, or too cutesy, but still something very useful! Also, something I thought was cute, and to make it more "manly"...Ask some of the guests to wear a tool belt of some sort-nothing fancy. In each slot, place a baby necessity item: cotton swabs, thermometer, diaper cream, baby powder, etc. Basically anything that can somehow fit onto or into the tool belt.
Not sure if this is much help, but when my mom told me about it, I thought it was kind of cute!!
Congrats to your brother.
J.

When my husband and I were having our first, his friends gave him a "baby shower". They held it at a local bar, where they played pool, darts and had a good time. The presents he received were - cigars, a dad's baby manual, a neck pillow (for sitting up nights with the baby), t-shirts that said "Daddy's little girl/boy" (we didn't know ahead of time), being a Cubs fan - a Cubs shirt with #1 Dad on the back, etc. They also had each of the guys who already had kids write down words of advise for him which they read aloud, some were pretty funny. He had fun and felt more into the baby prep.

We had basically just a big party. It was our first child and I wanted to include him. So we rented out a local hall, Opened a cash bar, got lots of food, and invited everyone we knew, and had a huge party. (with a baby theme of course) It was a blast. It was everyone just celebrating the new baby coming, and since it was our first, most everyone brought a gift, but if they don't need anything, then you could make the gift thing optional. I think it's a great idea that you want to do something for him, it's a huge deal for the daddy's as well.

Fantastic idea!! Your brother should go through the process of registering for everything he needs at his house/apartment for baby. Gosh, I just love the idea of a Daddy-to-be shower!!

You can get him the baby health kit, baby bjorn, a camo (man) diaper bag, and a good book: Baby 411, amongst the many other things he will need!! :)

You are a wonderful sister/aunt-to-be!!

The mom might have all the baby stuff already but if they don't live together they are going to need a second set of stuff. Have fun and hook him up with guy style baby accessories. We had a barbecue for our shower and had a lot of fun. (We skipped the party games) Good luck and have fun!