First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage. Welcoming a little one into the world is certainly cause for celebration!
Baby showers are a special way to honor parents-to-be as they enter a new phase of life, but they can also be stressful and stuffy. Open house baby showers offer a refreshing alternative for everyone involved. Here’s why they’re a popular choice and how to plan your own.
What is an Open House Baby Shower?
Traditionally, a baby shower is a sit-down celebration for the mom-to-be. Close friends, coworkers, and relatives (all usually female) are invited to bring gifts, share parenting advice, and participate in baby-themed games or activities. These showers typically follow certain etiquette rules and a set schedule — one that includes watching the guest of honor open presents for what feels like hours on end.
An open house baby shower, also called a drop-in shower or “come and go” shower, invites guests to attend the party without committing to the full event. They can show up for as little or as long as they like within a predetermined timeframe. This flexible format removes some of the pressure and makes the shower more accessible and inviting.
8 Benefits of a Drop-In Baby Shower
It might not be for everyone, but here are a few reasons to consider a drop-in baby shower versus a traditional one.
- You can invite more people. According to Minted, traditional showers average around twenty guests. With an open house, you can invite more guests and not worry about space knowing that people will trickle in and out throughout the day.
- It’s more flexible. A drop-in style shower allows guests to pop in without feeling guilty if they can’t stay for the whole time. Life is busy!
- It’s more intimate. While it can be hard to have one-on-one conversations at a large group shower, an open house is ideal for mingling with the masses and connecting with individual guests.
- It’s more kid-friendly. Traditional showers are geared towards adult friends and relatives of the parents-to-be. If you wish to invite nieces, nephews, or young friends, an open house shower might be more your style.
- It’s more laidback. Let’s face it: pregnancy can be uncomfortable. The casual nature of a drop-in shower can help Mom feel more comfortable both physically and emotionally.
- It takes the spotlight off. Not everyone enjoys being the center of attention, even during their baby shower. A drop-in party is ideal for parents who prefer to avoid the limelight or feel uncomfortable opening gifts in front of others.
- It can be coed. Although Dad might make an appearance, baby showers are usually planned with Mom in mind. An open house shower is more accommodating to both men and women, even including male relatives and friends of the father.
- It can be cheaper. Open houses are informal. You don’t need a catered meal or crazy decorations. Focus on a few details (mom-osas, anyone?) and forget the rest.
On the flip side, some guests might bring unexpected plus ones (it is an open house, after all) while some guests might only stay for a short time.
Tips for Your Open House Baby Shower
Interested in planning your own drop-in shower? The most important thing is to make it clear that guests can come and go throughout the event.
Here are a few creative ways to invite guests to your open house baby shower:
- Pop in when you please
- Stop by for a sprinkle
- Come say “hey,” the stork is on the way
- Make it quick or stay for a bit
- Stay as long as you like to celebrate our little tyke
Since guests will be arriving at different times, you can skip the party games and baby shower BINGO. It’s wise to have some sort of activity, though — otherwise guests might see the shower as purely a gift grab. Consider a onesie tie-dye station, baby block craft, or diaper decorations to keep guests entertained at the event.
Rachel Kauffman is a Detroit-based content writer, bookworm, and cat mom to two feisty felines.
