Who can and cannot host a baby shower?

Question

Several of my friends and family members are interested in throwing me a baby shower. My step-mom said it would be improper for family members to take on the hostess role. Is there any truth to that? Is there a Miss Manners article or manual I can reference?

Answer 1

It's not improper. =/ My mom's friend's mother hosted it for her. It should be hosted by who loves you enough to plan so much

Answer 2

It is proper for anyone other than the mother to be to host a baby shower.

What this sounds like to me is that your dear step mother seems to be implying with that statement, that she does not want the responsibility of hosting to fall on her shoulders.  Try to have your other friends and family to host it somewhere besides your step mother's residence.

Good luck and congratulations!!!

Answer 3

Proper etiquette for hosting a baby shower would be friends acting as host/hostess, but never family members.

It is viewed, in most social circles, as tacky for a family member to host any kind of shower. One of the other answers stated that some people would be offended by your family acting as host, and that is a very true statement. If you plan to invite a lot of older women to the shower, it would be best to have a friend play hostess for the day.

Congrats and have fun with whatever you decide to do!

Answer 4

have someone outside the family host it...it works out if the family wants to provide food

Answer 5

Your step mom is wrong.  There's no rule that dictates who can and can't host a baby shower.

Answer 6

Are you supposed to have the baby shower before or after the baby is born? I don't know, that's why I ask.

Answer 7

I don't think it matters who hosts the party.

Answer 8

who can?  Anyone with a venue who wants to do it can do it.

Why does there have to be etiquette for this?  Some people like to make problems where there are none - you should tell your step-mother this.

Answer 9

Your step-mother is correct.

I have seen etiquette articles written on this subject, but I'm not sure where to find them on-line. I have several etiquette books written by different people and they all say basically the same thing. I was also raised to believe this is proper. Showers should be hosted by friends or DISTANT relatives, but never immediate family.

I know this seems silly in this day and age, but it's really best to have a friend host the shower because there will be, without a doubt, older family members and friends that will be offended by immediate family hosting your shower.

Answer 10

Anyone can except the mommy to be.