Showering the Second Baby

When the second baby is on its way, most parents still have all of the essentials they need from their firstborn, but it’s still important to celebrate the newest little one on the way and make sure the mom-to-be is feeling loved and special. Here are a few fun ways to celebrate the new addition without hosting a traditional baby shower.

Throw a Baby Sprinkle

A baby sprinkle is like a baby shower, but scaled down and more low-key. Instead of showering the expecting mom and baby with gifts, you sprinkle them with smaller items. Sprinkles are typically more casual and require less preparation from the host. Gifts usually include smaller items like clothing, diapers and wipes, as opposed to the big ticket items, such as strollers and basinets, you would give at a shower. This is a fun way to show your love for the mom and child without planning a lavish party.

Host a Freezer Shower

Freezer showers are a fun and practical way to prepare the mommy-to-be before her new baby arrives. Simply ask the guest of honor for a few of her favorite recipes that can be frozen. Then assign each guest an ingredient to prepare and bring to the shower. Then all guests work together to prepare the freezer meals. Another option is to ask each guest to bring a frozen meal already prepared. Just make sure each meal has a label with the name of the meal, the cooking temperature, baking instructions and date the food was prepared. By the end of the party, the mom will have plenty of freezer meals to get her through the hardest weeks after the baby is born

Plan a Sip and See

A sip and see is a fun way to celebrate the new baby after his arrival. Invite friends and family to casually drop by and sip on tea, coffee, soup or other refreshments and meet the new baby. Guests will feel no obligation to bring a gift, and they are able to meet the baby at the same time. New mothers love sip and sees, because the occasion allows them to introduce the new addition to friends and family and prevents visitors from dropping by unexpectedly during the first few weeks after the baby is born.

Splurge on a Spa Day Shower

Is the momma-to-be looking for a little relaxation? Throw her a spa day shower! Reserve a few hours at a local spa and meet a group of ladies for manicures, pedicures and massages. The guests will chip in to foot the bill for the guest of honor. This is a win-win for the mom-to-be and the guests, because everybody could use a day at the spa. After the spa, meet for brunch, cocktails and mocktails at a favorite spot. Your guest of honor will leave feeling relaxed and ready to welcome the new baby, and so will you!

Diaper and Beer Party

Who says dads can’t join in on the fun? A diaper and beer party is a great way for dads to celebrate the new baby with their friends and collect diapers at the same time. Diaper and beer parties usually take place at a bar or someone’s home. Guests are asked to bring a package of diapers or wipes with them. The guests drink the night away, and the dad-to-be gets to enjoy one last hoorah before the baby arrives.  When the party is over, everyone has had a great time and the parents won’t need to buy diapers for several months after the baby arrives.

Card Shower

If you want to do something special for the expecting mother, but you don’t want to plan an entire party, a card shower is the way to go. Put together an online event inviting friends and family to send a card to the mother-to-be. You can make a special request for family and friends to write a message or words of advice in the card. You can also suggest they send a book in place of a card to start the little one’s library. A card shower takes minimal effort to plan but will be memorable for the mom to look back on later down the road.

Did you know?

Did you know the United States ranks third worldwide for amount spent per capita on baby showers? According to LilBabyCakes.com, the average expenditure on a baby shower ranges from $200 to $1,000, and the average amount spent on a shower gift in the United States is more than $30.

Regan Lyons is a freelance writer who lives in St. Joseph, MO, with her husband and 5-year-old daughter.