Taya’s Take: Baby Shower or Visit and Lovely in Lavender

Baby Shower or Visit
Q: My husband’s family lives out of town and cannot afford to come to our baby shower and then visit the baby once she’s here. They have asked me to have our baby shower after the baby is born so they can make just one visit. However, I’m uncomfortable with our newborn being at an event with so many people. What should I do?

A: At first glance it, seems like a nightmare to have your newborn in a crowded room with so many people wanting to pass your precious bundle around like a hot potato. But there might be a bigger benefit than what meets the eye.
Having a shower with friends and relatives that are close by, before the baby comes, allows you to get the basic gifts needed to welcome your baby home. But after the baby arrives, host a “private shower” for the out-of-town relatives at home. This will allow the family to see the baby and bring any gifts you didn’t receive at the first shower. Also, inviting everyone as a group should allow you to catch up on some much needed downtime, while his family gets to bond with the baby.

It’s a tough call as a new mom because in the weeks that follow the baby’s homecoming you might feel less hospitable than usual. But inviting everyone over at one time should limit the number of guests visiting one-by-one in the weeks following the homecoming. Just be sure to keep hand sanitizer and antiseptic spray throughout the house, and don’t be afraid to make sure people use it. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy!

Lovely in Lavender
Q: I’m planning my sister’s baby shower and she is really picky. At her wedding, she was the “bride from hell,” and planning her bridal shower as the maid-of-honor almost killed me. Now I have to do it all over again! She’s having a girl and her only guidance is she doesn’t want anything pink, but she still wants it to be girly and elegant. How do you plan a shower for a girl without pink? Help!

A: Yikes! Post-frantic bride now transformed into hormonal baby carrier? Don’t run for cover just yet, I think I have something that can help you. How about, “Lovely in Lavender” baby shower tea party? What could be more “elegant” than a tea party? And having everything decorated in light purple/lavender still screams “girly” without the default pink décor.

Imagine everything in purple hues. For centerpieces and room décor, have lavender scented candles in different shapes and sizes fill the room. Starbucks also carries a Tazo tea flavor called Passion that comes in purple tea bags that you could use as favors.  The favors and cake can read, “A Baby is Brewing.” When guests arrive, have classical or jazz music playing in the background as a clever way to set the tone for a sophisticated, yet girly baby shower. Also, have all the party hosts and of course the parents-to-be wear something lavender.

Taya’s Tip: Pamper the Mom with Pampers
Occasionally, when expecting a baby, moms are given several baby showers (by family and friends, church members, civic groups or co-workers). Instead of having duplicate baby showers, have at least one shower dedicated to diapers as the primary gift. Have everyone bring packages of diapers of all sizes brands and styles. Therefore, the gifters can be assured their gift will not be returned, and the parents will have a nest egg of diapers of all sizes to try. This is also particularly appealing for at work or co-ed showers, so the guys won’t have to pretend to ohhh and ahh on queue or know the difference between a boppy and a bumbo.

If you are planning an event and have no idea where to start, send an e-mail about your event and I’ll see what we can come up with. Or, if you are super creative and have a planning idea or a resource that other planners would be interested in, contact , subject: Taya’s Take