When did you plan your baby shower?

 I was curious I know I have heard other ppl are suppose to do baby showers for you..but the way my family is...noone likes to volunteer to plan parties. My sister has had 3 baby showers in which she planned them all herself. I really do not want to plan my own...and I do not think anyone will volunteer and I know its rude to ask someone to do one for you..cause its suppose to be them just saying hey I am going to do it or a surprise. I would love a surprise but I know that will not happen. Being I am due end of February I have no idea when to even plan a baby shower. I do not want to have it before christmas because most ppl are broke buying christmas gifts. And after christmas everyone is still broke paying off bills of the gifts still or just regular bills that they get behind on because of the holidays. I am almost thinking of not having one at all..cause I have no idea when I should even plan one. In addition to, I have that fear of planning and no one will show up. I know its my dream to have a big baby shower however I have doubts of having one. I ended up not having a wedding of my dreams because of my fear noone would come to my wedding and i would not want to spend all that money on a wedding and noone showing up. I dream of being in a wedding dress tho..sumday. Although, I am married already..I would love to renew vows in a wedding dress. We will see if that ever happens. Just clueless on when to have  a baby shower.

This is a tricky question. Proper ettiquette says you are not supposed to host your own baby shower, because it looks like you are grabbing for gifts. I guess it depends on cir****tances though. I would try to get someone else to host it, then offer to pay for a lot of stuff yourself and have a heavy hand in the planning.
Of course, not many people follow ettiquette rules anymore :)
Maybe ask your closest sibling or best friend, then offer to help from there? I am not a big fan of surprise showers. I have been to a few where momma-to-be rolls in in dirty sweats with no makeup, looking stunned and confused in all the pics. A preggo woman always wants to glow at their shower.

 Yeah I could do that..ask someone and help out. I understand what you mean on the surprise with not being dressed for the occasion. 

Dee,

My best friend and husband got together and planned mine. It was suppose to be a surprise, but you can't throw any surprises for me in my own house (they didn't know I knew but I had known for weeks) Baby Showers usually happen about 30-45 days before your due date. Even though I'm not due until 03/04/11 I have a scheduled C-section on 02/25/10, so that's my official date (C-section scheduled due to my previous birth was Csection and I'm not trying VBAC). Considering that... I would probably have a shower Early Jan 2011. Now you got me thinking too, people probably will be tapped out from the holiday spending. Not great for us Dee :( . Nonetheless, I would just be greatful for them just coming for the food and festivities to celebrate new life.

~~Gina

 Yeah very true I am not expecting anyone to buy anything big or expensive. I just want to have a nice shower and enjoy the time being spent like you said.

I knew a girl once that had a "Meet the Baby" party.  She didn't have a shower per say, but she hosted this party.  It was a come and go type thing, but of course, just about everybody brought a gift when they stopped by!  Just an idea.....

I am due dec 26, and my friend is having a shower for me at the end of sept/beginning of Oct. We picked this because xmas partys start in November, and the weather is very unpredictable around here. Anyway, my friend is hosting it, but since I wanted a shower that included family as well as friends, I am taking on most of the cost (we are renting the church basement instead of a home etc). I think it is a good comprimise.

Due in feb also and had the same concern as you about christmas. I have decided the first two weeks in November are going to be the option

Like Hope1234 said... I am due in February, and my mom's planning for the first week in November (or so).  We're not as concerned about people being broke as we are about people traveling for the holidays and not being able to make it.  Also, I want to be able to get everything organized before I'm too huge and tired to care, lol.

I have a friend who hosted her own baby shower and no one thought any less of her for it.  She does not have a close relationship with her mother or sisters, and she didn't want to saddle anyone with the expense.

 Yeah I thought of having a baby shower in November also..instead of waiting til the baby is almost here. I course did not think of being uncomfortable or anything at the baby shower if i waited a month before to do mine. you are so right I might not be so happy and comfortable at that time to want to be center of attention.