20-40-60 Etiquette: Baby showers for second- or third children
By Lillie-Beth Brinkman
and Helen Ford Wallace
| Published: February 24, 2013
Other ideas for second and third showers include: having guests bring books, food items that the new mother might need for her freezer or items for the mother-to-be. People have had grandmother showers and have brought toys for the baby to have at the grandmother's house.
GUEST'S ANSWER: Hilarie Blaney, etiquette and international protocol consultant: As we are well aware, the Post family knows how to handle this dilemma. In the most recent edition, “Emily Post's Etiquette: Manners for a New World” (18th edition), the authors, all relatives of the original Emily Post, note that society is more mobile and that it's not unusual for family members or close relatives to host the shower anymore. They also note that they approve of throwing second or third showers. Finally, because the parents likely have many things that they need, “a theme shower” would be a good idea.
I think EACH child of a friend or relative should be celebrated in some way, either by a gift or a sip-and-see-party, where gifts are not requested, but appropriate and appreciated. Most of your friends and family will want to give you a gift for Baby No. 2 or 3, and some people want to make it a fun event. If so, the gifts lean more toward clothing or the latest trend in baby items because the main baby needs are in place.
Callie Gordon is 20-something, Lillie-Beth Brinkman is in her 40s, and social columnist Helen Ford Wallace is 60-plus. To ask an etiquette question, email helen.wallace@cox.net. For more 20-40-60 etiquette, go to blog.newsok.com/partiesextra.
Prev
Follow
