"Sip and see"?

[Anonymous]

The parents would have to host the sip n see. That's the point, inviting people to your home for drinks (sip) and to see the baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parents would have to host the sip n see. That's the point, inviting people to your home for drinks (sip) and to see the baby.

OP, the whole thing is presumptuous. You are assuming that people are standing in line to see your new baby and are worthy only of a mass gathering for a ten minute peak.

People who really care and want to see your child will contact you with congratulations. You then invite the ones you really care about to stop by when mutually convenient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know it's tacky to mention gifts on an invite, but if you're adamant, just put "your presence is the only present we're wishing for" or something corny like that.

No. That's corny and even more awkward than a simple "no gifts, please."

[Anonymous]

A sip and see is no more presumptuous than a baby shower. The only difference is that a sip and see doesn't mandate that you come and stay for the entire drawn out ordeal and there's no organized gift giving / unwrapping formalities and people can come with their significant others, own babies, etc.

[Anonymous]

Sip 'n Sees are really common in the South. They're always hosted by the parents. OP -- Sip 'n Sees may be less usual here, but if it's your first and you're not having a shower, I don't think anyone will begrudge you a Sip 'n See even if they do think it's a gift grab. I think it's a nice tradition, personally. It is typically used to mark the parents re-entry into life

[Anonymous]

Personally I think the etiquette stuff is a little silly. It's a party, and even if you were hosting it instead of your MIL--you feed and entertain your guests, they come and celebrate, and you're good. If people are offended, they're free to skip it.

We also do not do baby showers, but friends threw us a party before the baby was born anyway to celebrate life transitions. Invite said no gifts and we had no registry [for friends--had a small one for family who requested it for ideas]. A few people brought gifts, but they were quite small (pack of diapers, child's favorite kind of sippy cup, bottle of wine for post-pregnancy, etc.) and most people did not bring anything. We're expecting #2 now and I love the idea of a sip 'n' see as a great alternative to let people meet the new arrival.

[Anonymous]

We'll accomplish the same thing by just having a party About 3 months after the baby is born. We won't call it a sip and see, we'll just invite our friends to a party and feed them and supply booze.

The people who care about babies can coo over the baby, the ones who don't can ignore him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We'll accomplish the same thing by just having a party About 3 months after the baby is born. We won't call it a sip and see, we'll just invite our friends to a party and feed them and supply booze.

The people who care about babies can coo over the baby, the ones who don't can ignore him.

This sounds like the best idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We'll accomplish the same thing by just having a party About 3 months after the baby is born. We won't call it a sip and see, we'll just invite our friends to a party and feed them and supply booze.

The people who care about babies can coo over the baby, the ones who don't can ignore him.

NP here, tomato tomahto. Don't be so smug just because you're not referring to it as a sip n see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Etiquette police, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that it is always incorrect for family members (e.g. your MIL) to host showers. So she may be out of line to begin with.

That is correct.

The only guests are family. Family only celebration - of course family will host.

[Anonymous]

Sounds super cute! If one of my friends felt superstitious about pre-birth showers, I'd definitely want the chance to celebrate with her post birth. At 2-3 months pp, the only trick will be finding a dress you feel compliments your body in transition shape while also allowing you to nurse.

Those who think it's tacky are probably really old fashioned and/or read etiquette articles as a hobby. I don't have friends like that and if you don't either OP, then just have fun and invite your friends over to meet the baby.

[Anonymous]

Babies get their first round of vaccinations at 2 months, so I'd just wait until after that point.

Other than that, I really like the idea of a baby meeting party, whatever you call it, whoever hosts, or whatever you serve (wine and cheese, BBQ, etc.). Also, if you invite people early enough, it may help control people wanting to visit right away (if that's something that you might want).

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it. You'll be so tired. And you'll have to keep feeding the baby, changing the baby. You need privacy when the baby is that young.

[Anonymous]

At 2 months out? You are looney, pp. Most by that point have resumed fairly normal lives of going out to meet friends for a meal, taking baby for walks, etc. and many have returned to work. If you're holed up in your home doing nothing but tending to baby, you're going to have a bad case of ppd.

[Anonymous]

Why does DCUM have to be so grumpy about everything? A sip and see sounds lovely. It's less work than having 15 different people over at different times and the OP can ensure that the house is picked up and her and baby are dressed. I don't think it's a gift grab at all.

Also, I haven't lived in this area long and don't have friends who would throw me showers. And since family can't throw showers, my large family can't throw me one where they live. It would be nice to be able to have a party to celebrate a baby and not be about gifts. Why can't parties be more about celebrating the baby/new parents rather than you all thinking it's a gift grab?