Baby Shower

My sister is throwing my baby shower in March and she wants a list of invitees.

I'm a little unsure about who to include. 

Should I include people who are more acquaintances than friends?  I'm thinking of a few business contacts who I would not call close friends because we don't socialize in a non-business setting but we are very chummy when we see each other at business functions at least once a month.

What about relatives who live out of state and would not be able to come?  I want people to know that I thought of them and wish they could come but I don't want them to think that they're only getting an invitation in the hopes that they'll send gift.

I just don't want to hurt anyone's feelings by not inviting them but on the other hand I don't want to send too many invitations and have it end up looking like a gift grab.

Advice?

I am so right there with you. My Mom just asked me for a list so she has it when she's ready. Well I work with a few women, so I put them on the list. I know all the wives of the men I work with - but do I put them? It's tough!

I'd say definitely to family that is out of state (this is your first right?) - let them make the call. I am having trouble drawing the friend / acquaintance line though.

Look forward to seeing the other ladies' answers.

Good luck!

I guess I've set precedence here in my office because we always throw an "office shower" for first time parents man or woman. So there will be at least two showers. I also have a large family and friends so I'm not sure who will be able to accomodate that many people. I'm letting my friends and family handle it all so that this way I won't really be responsible for any error. I have frontline family listed and then close friends everyone else is optional.

Well, my work and my husbands work does showers for parents who are pregnant. If the father works there, the mother and father are invited for a shower. They just have cake and it is a come and go reception shower. People bring gifts and stop by and offer well wishes. The showers at my work are right after closing time in a conference room and everyone watches the person open presents and there is refreshments---NO big decorations at either.

I would say you invite those that you want to invite. Those that don't want to come or feel you are asking for a gift will not come. But, like you said you want to feel they are included. I would say that your business acquainances if you really aren't on a personal level with them ****ationally go to lunch or don't seem them daily at work) I might not invite them. They will know you are pregnant. If they ask if you are having a shower or where you are registered may choose to get you a gift personally themselves.

Have fun!

Traci

I would say yes to work acquaintances if they are not going to throw you a shower at work. I'm iffy on relatives that live out of state. I live in CT and one of my grandmothers lives in Delaware, one in New Hampshire and one in Idaho (I have a step dad so multiple grandparents). I think I could potentially ask the ones in DE & NH, but the one in ID definitely would not be able to come. So it's a little weird. Let us know what you decide.

My shower is huge and I won't lie.

We have four sets of parents. And we both come from large families. That being said. All the moms are getting together and having ONE shower. Works for me.

As far as some work people... this is why my work is having a separate shower for me... because its too hard not to hurt peoples feelings.

We are also sending out invites to those out of state because they are family and know about the baby. And will let them make the call if they want to send a gift... I think they would be more hurt if they werent invited.

Sara

Very tough...I invited just a few people at work who I talk to about person life to say and have been very up to date on my preggo status.  We are big office "partiers" to say...any reason to have cake we say, so I am sure they will have something like cake and probably do a gift of somekind, so that's why I only invite the close ones to my party.  I on the other hand had an issue where most of my family is four hours or more away and all my friend are near where I live.  So to not make anyone travel or not come because of the distance, my mom is throwing one at her house and one at mine..this just made it easier, but I told my mom I didn't want to seem like a party hog about it...but it's my first and I want to celebrate!  not sure if this helps but hopefully you will figure out something....Stacey

I'm more in line with your mom's thinking with having a first and everyone being excited for us, its hard to not have people there. I don't care if someone doesn't bring a gift if they are there to celebrate my baby's birth that is cool with me.

Hi there! 
I had a similar situation, and I ended up having a really fun and successful shower ... I made sure to send invitations to out of state relatives. That way, it was totally their call as to whether they wanted to send a gift or not. Some sent cards, some sent gift cards, and we even got a blanket someone knitted from a cousin I have never even met! totally sweet!
As for the work ladies, I did not invite them. I kind of feel that baby showers are sort of intimate, and I really wanted to have my good friends and close family there. If the ladies at work want to get the baby somehting, they will.
Does that make sense? I hope that whatever you decide to do, its really fun and successful!

I'm inviting anyone who shows any interest in this pregnancy.  We are gonna have a ton of people.  I'd say invite more rather than less!