Anonymous wrote:I absolutely think you could throw a shower for two sisters and think this is a great idea.

Wording:

Celebrate Mary Kate (due date) & Ashley (due date) with Brunch at Linda’s

(Keep the time short like 12:30-2)

RSVP by (one week ahead and be prepared that you’ll end up calling guests/v few people respond)

If when a guest responds they can ask you about registries

Don’t open gifts. Anyone who brings a gift can leave it aside for the recipient(s) to open later.

OP here. Thank you so much! This is really helpful.

Unfortunately, both sisters have military spouses who are being deployed soon; this is a rare opportunity to get all family members together. (The men won’t be at the shower, but it’s kind of a mini family reunion and a shower weekend, and then both dads ship out.)

Anonymous wrote:Send two separate invitations so no one on owes until they are there that it’s a joint shower and they won’t feel obligated to get two gifts. They will absolutely feel obligated to get two gifts if you send one invite that says it’s joint.

Actually, there needs to be THREE invitations. One to Larla & Darla’s family members, one to Larla’s ILs and friends, and one to Darla’s ILs and friends.

Send two separate invitations so no one on owes until they are there that it’s a joint shower and they won’t feel obligated to get two gifts. They will absolutely feel obligated to get two gifts if you send one invite that says it’s joint.

I absolutely think you could throw a shower for two sisters and think this is a great idea.

Wording:

Celebrate Mary Kate (due date) & Ashley (due date) with Brunch at Linda’s

(Keep the time short like 12:30-2)

RSVP by (one week ahead and be prepared that you’ll end up calling guests/v few people respond)

If when a guest responds they can ask you about registries

Don’t open gifts. Anyone who brings a gift can leave it aside for the recipient(s) to open later.

It seems fairly obvious that the guest list should only be people who are close to both sisters, i.e. their relatives and maybe a few best friends, if the best friends know both of them.

Otherwise this is a weird idea.

PP and so if you are mailing invitations maybe you color code the sisters’ names and use designated color font for addressee.

That’s one idea.

You could also state what kind of shower this is - so something narrow themed and specific like board books (no registry required).

Keep the focus on being a fun gathering like brunch or tea.

Separate showers or keep the guests to only their side family and friends. No in-laws or friends of only 1.

It's awkward and odd for everyone involved. If you can, do two separate smaller showers.

I would definitely feel obligated to buy something for both women, even if I didn’t know one of them

Why not fully embrace the Sisters theme?

(Thinking of the “Sisters” song and duet from Whote Christmas)

Everyone knows that a shower = gifts.

Are you sending paper invitations thru the mail?

Anonymous wrote:Don’t do this. I know you think it will save many family members travel time, but the cost is too high.
—There is no wording on an invitation to convey what you’re asking.
—The possibility of comparing gifts is reason alone to not have it.
—No one, and I mean no one, wants to sit around and watch that many gifts opened.
—One sister is going to have her shower at best four months before her due date?

Who said anyone would open gifts at the party? No one does that anymore. You eat and talk and play a few games, maybe.

Don’t do this. I know you think it will save many family members travel time, but the cost is too high.
—There is no wording on an invitation to convey what you’re asking.
—The possibility of comparing gifts is reason alone to not have it.
—No one, and I mean no one, wants to sit around and watch that many gifts opened.
—One sister is going to have her shower at best four months before her due date?

No matter how you do this, it is going to be weird

It's a bad idea.

I’m planning a baby shower for two sisters who are each expecting about 8 weeks apart. While a lot of invitees will know both sisters, each sister has ILs and friends that don’t know (or aren’t closely connected to) the other sister.

While of course I will make no mention of gifts or registries on the actual invitations, people will ask about registries. Do I just wait for inquiries about registries and respond when people ask for one or both? What would you suggest for the wording of this invitation? I don’t want anyone to feel obligated to buy gifts for both unless they feel connected to both.