Showering two moms at once
August 26, 2013 3:06 PM Subscribe
I am hosting a baby shower for two sisters-in-law this weekend. How can we make the present opening fast and fun?
We have a large family and a lot of baby showers. By convention, the showers have 30-50 co-ed guests of all ages, no games, and a ton of presents. I have been to many family baby showers, but only with one mom at a time. The end-to-end present opening experience takes the better part of an hour.
It's my first time hosting the family baby shower. This time I have two expecting moms as the guests of honour. How can we keep gift opening moving with two moms at once? I want everybody to have a shot at ooh-ing and aah-ing at the cute baby things, and both moms to feel like they got a chance at a spotlight, but also don't want guests to be trapped interminably as the presents get unwrapped.
Please send any and all suggestions for a pleasant gift opening ceremony for all.
We have a large family and a lot of baby showers. By convention, the showers have 30-50 co-ed guests of all ages, no games, and a ton of presents. I have been to many family baby showers, but only with one mom at a time. The end-to-end present opening experience takes the better part of an hour.
It's my first time hosting the family baby shower. This time I have two expecting moms as the guests of honour. How can we keep gift opening moving with two moms at once? I want everybody to have a shot at ooh-ing and aah-ing at the cute baby things, and both moms to feel like they got a chance at a spotlight, but also don't want guests to be trapped interminably as the presents get unwrapped.
Please send any and all suggestions for a pleasant gift opening ceremony for all.
One of the best baby showers I have ever been to was a "come-and-go" shower/open house. The present opening was handled as each guest arrived. So, mom-to-be got a little one-on-one with each guest as she opened the gift. And this happened at a double shower, as well.
posted by Sassyfras at 3:12 PM on August 26, 2013
posted by Sassyfras at 3:12 PM on August 26, 2013
Baby shower gift bingo! Keeps people entertained for a bit during the gift opening. You can make bingo cards for free online.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:29 PM on August 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:29 PM on August 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
I agree with lyssabee and Sassyfras. This is how we handle presents for my kids' birthday parties and I really like it because the giver gets some one-on-one time with the recipient and vice versa.
posted by dawkins_7 at 3:37 PM on August 26, 2013
posted by dawkins_7 at 3:37 PM on August 26, 2013
Open the presents after the guests leave. I've never understood opening presents at any party while your guests are still there.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:27 PM on August 26, 2013
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:27 PM on August 26, 2013
As guests arrive, put the presents in two piles, one for Mom-to-be A and one for Mom-to-be B. When it's present opening time, start with pile A, and have each guest pick a present to open from that pile (one that they didn't bring). Open them all simultaneously, then go around the room and each guest can hold up the gift and announce who it's from. Repeat with pile B. This way everyone gets to participate in opening and it goes much more quickly. I've done this at a few showers now (though with only one mom), and I find it much more pleasant.
posted by Empidonax at 4:42 PM on August 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Empidonax at 4:42 PM on August 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Open the presents after the guests leave. I've never understood opening presents at any party while your guests are still there.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:27 PM on August 26
[+] [!]
I so badly wanted to do that at my shower, I find opening presents in front of a crowd so embarrassing. However my aunts all insisted so I was a good sport about it. My family actually held the same kind of shower you're planning on for my cousin and I (we were due a week apart). Informal, coed, backyard BBQ style. We just took turns opening gifts and were pretty speedy. Guests sat at tables, ate food, drank, chatted, got up and down; no one was hostage and those who were interested watched. I wouldn't over think it.
posted by JenMarie at 9:17 PM on August 26, 2013
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:27 PM on August 26
[+] [!]
I so badly wanted to do that at my shower, I find opening presents in front of a crowd so embarrassing. However my aunts all insisted so I was a good sport about it. My family actually held the same kind of shower you're planning on for my cousin and I (we were due a week apart). Informal, coed, backyard BBQ style. We just took turns opening gifts and were pretty speedy. Guests sat at tables, ate food, drank, chatted, got up and down; no one was hostage and those who were interested watched. I wouldn't over think it.
posted by JenMarie at 9:17 PM on August 26, 2013
« Older How to make an application work again on a Galaxy... | Moth Proof Dry Cleaning Bags Toxic? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by lyssabee at 3:11 PM on August 26, 2013 [5 favorites]