There’s nothing quite as exciting as a new arrival in the family and everyone is thrilled to come and celebrate, even before the sweet bub has actually put in an appearance! A baby shower is an opportunity for this pre-birth celebration.
1. Who are you inviting to the baby shower?
Basically, who do you want to celebrate with? Baby showers are traditionally attended only by women, but many people now opt to include men, couples and families in the festivities. Regardless of the gender of those attending, consider whether the shower will be an event with relatives, friends or both. An event with your girls might be different from one with your nanna, aunts and little sisters.
Make clear to your guests what the demographics of the baby shower will look like so they can plan accordingly. This doesn’t have to be communicated in words necessarily. An identical invitation will communicate who will be present if it is addressed ‘to Georgia’, ‘to Georgia & Robbie’ or ‘to Georgia, Robbie, Mila and Charlie’.
For the wording of the baby shower invitations, try using terms like ‘girls’ afternoon’, ‘family lunch’, ‘ladies night’ or simply add a note indicating whether or not men or children are welcome.
Examples:
Girls’ night out! Please join us for mocktails and nibblies.
Join us for a family celebration on Saturday 18th July.
Not your grandma’s baby shower! Please join us for a pre-baby celebration: All welcome.
Please help us shower Laura with love before she welcomes baby James. We will be having a ladies-only morning tea followed by a casual bbq lunch to which all are welcome.’
2. What is the style of the baby shower?
What are you actually going to be doing at the party? Is it going to be planned out with games and activities? Is it going to involve a sit-down meal? Is it being held at a restaurant or in your backyard? The event might be on the formal side, or it might be completely casual and relaxed. Make sure your guests know what to expect! This will help them make decisions about their own behaviour: what they wear, how strictly they adhere to the start time, perhaps even whether they come at all.
Use your invitation wording to indicate the style of the event. Words like ‘get-together’, ‘gathering’, ‘hangout’, ‘catch up’, ‘chill’, and ‘shindig’ communicate that the party will be casual, as does the mention of ‘games’, or references to a bbq, picnic or other such event. On the other hand, words and styles like ‘dinner party’, ‘high tea’, ‘rendezvous’, ‘appetisers’, and ‘gala’ suggest a more formal occasion.
Examples:
Join us for a picnic celebrating the impending arrival of baby Wilson.
Please drop in between six and eight as we celebrate.
We are hosting a small gathering to catch up with you all before the new arrival!
Please honour us with your presence at a high tea baby shower for Emma.
You are invited to a dinner party to celebrate the upcoming birth of baby Jellie. Appetisers will be served at 7pm.
3. Are you hoping for gifts at the baby shower?
This might sound like a rude or up-front question, but it is important because traditionally gifts were at the centre of the shower: they were basically the point of the thing! Friends and family would bring presents to help support the family as they welcomed a new child, providing much of the ‘stuff’ that babies need. Nowadays, many parents are in their thirties, mid-career and more stable than in the past, and so may not need a haul of baby things. Those in this situation might opt for a wishing well (cash gifts), a donation to charity in lieu of gifts, or ask for no gifts at all. Alternatively, many people do want or need gifts but would prefer to have a registry to ensure they get things they will use. Any of these options are fine, and as long as you are polite it is completely acceptable to let your guests know what your preference is.
Note: You don’t have to specify anything about gifts to your guests on the invitation! Just be prepared to field questions individually, and know that most people will be inclined to just bring a gift of their choice if you haven’t made any preference clear.
This isn’t a wedding invite, so there’s no etiquette dictating that gifts should not be mentioned on the invitation itself. Try to keep it to a brief sentence at the end of the text.
Examples:
We have registered with Myer to make it easy for you to find gift ideas.
We have all the things our baby could need and ask that in lieu of gifts a donation be made to help children in less fortunate circumstances.
No gifts! Your presence will be more than enough.
If you wish to contribute to our wishing well, you can do so online at…
Put it all together and you’ve got the perfect baby shower invitation wording, without the stress.
Also check out our Top Baby Shower Invitation Trends for 2017
Having a Birthday party soon? You can also check out our guide to birthday invitation wording here.