Nobody is going to my friend's baby shower
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Anonymous
| I wouldn't cancel, and I like your idea of moving it to a restaurant to make it more intimate. My shower was quite small--it was Thanksgiving weekend, because that was when my mom was going to be in town, and lots of my friends were away or busy with visiting family. I can't really remember exactly how many people were there--8 to 10?--but it was a very nice afternoon, and I never felt like it was inadequate in any way. I'm sure your friend will love her shower no matter how few or many guests there are. |
Anonymous
| I was also going to suggest something more intimate like pedicures or afternoon tea, lunch out etc. (Whatever you guys would enjoy.) [b]Hope you get a nice group together or that the people who do come have a delightful time celebrating the baby but don't feel bad following up w/ phone calls either. |
Anonymous
| Yes, definitely make it more intimate. I was in a similar situation with a bridal shower I hosted. The bride to be gave me an invite list of 70 and in the end, we had fewer than 10. It wound up being a lovely shower. |
Anonymous
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I had this happen for a friend of mind. She was 39 and the pregnancy was also long awaited. She gave me a guest list of about 15 people and I only had about 8-10 reply. I emailed everyone closer to the date and never even heard back from 4. I know for a fact that it was her only shower and I felt really bad for my friend.
We ended up with 5 attendees (including the hosts) and the other host and I just went all out. We upped the quality of the food and bought a bunch of additional gifts. We live near Friendship Heights and the day before the shower scrambled for things--Giggle for fun/luxury items and CVS for basics like diaper cream, bottles, etc. Everyone ended up having a lovely afternoon--sometimes intimate is better and more fun for the attendees. |
Anonymous
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I think the suggestion to contact the two who are coming and ask them what is going on was a good one. If the people invited are all friends of each other, maybe one of these two would be willing to find out why they aren't coming. Sometimes when people are reminded that an event is important to a person, they realize that they can and should make the time.
I was also an older mom who worked very hard to have a baby (actually was pretty young when I started trying) and I dutifully went to dozens of baby showers over the years. When I finally got pregnant, most of my friends said that they couldn't make it to my shower because they were too busy with their kids, it was during nap time, they had to take someone to soccer practice, etc. I still feel terrible about the fact that I wanted to celebrate with them, but they felt they didn't want to/need to return the favor to me. |
Anonymous
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The shower is still 3 weeks away. Set the reminder evite to go out for 1 week prior to the shower and then a few days before. You would be amazed how many people RSVP at the last minute.
How well does your friend know these 27 people? I will be honest, I doubt I could come up with 27 people who are really close to me to invite to a shower. It's possible the list only includes 10 or less really close, close friends and those will be the ones who will likely show. |
Anonymous
This is sooo sad, PP. I truly feel for you and these are NOT your friends. Friends would have done anything in their power to attend your baby shower. This sucks! I was also a late mom (37) and like you, I attended lots and lots of baby showers and always put on a brave face, but when it was my turn, my friends all turned up and it was a HUGE event. I felt so loved. Dump those friends who weren't there for you. |
Anonymous
| Could you contact some of the No's and ask them to e-mail her (via you) a message like your best advice for a new mom. She could read them at the shower. Even if people can not be there they can participate. |
Anonymous
I think this is a good set of ideas and I would change the venue to a more intimate spot if its a really small crowd. |
Anonymous
| I think even with two or three, you should do it. Totally agree that you should make it more intimate. I was also an older mom but new to DC. Had someone offer to have a baby shower for me but she ended not doing it because she got engaged and went into wedding mode. Your friend will totally appreciate you regardless of the party size. |
Anonymous
| $10 says that if she is indeed flakey, she may not have current addresses for a bunch of invitees. If a few days pass and people have not even opened their evites, I would assume that is the case. (and also, if she's that flakey, she may not be great about making plans or following up with these friends and they're blowing her off for a reason.) |
Anonymous
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Does your friend's spouse have some friends that live locally that you could invite? Maybe subtly call him and ask for names?
I was at one shower where I literally was the only one not related to the husband. |
Anonymous
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she is 42
most of the people her age are past attending baby showers |
Anonymous
Baloney. |
Anonymous
| Sorry but if you had a shower..you attend someone else's shower. |