Is It Tacky to Throw Myself a "Meet Our New Baby" Party?

On Real Housewives of Atlanta (can't believe I'm citing a reality show) they called it a "Sip and See." I thought it was a cute idea!

I'd probably indicate "no gifts" on the invitation.

Congrats and have a great time!

We know friends who did this...she called it a "Sip and See". She served cocktails and everyone came to meet the baby. I don't recall anyone thinking it was tacky. She added to the invite that this was just a chance to introduce their little bundle and no presents were expected.

She said the only part she didn't consider is that everyone would want to hold the baby too. She said she did get a bit nervous about illness, even with using sanitizer. Since she had a party, more people came to visit than would normally. So instead of 10 friends stopping by to visit, she had 30 people show up all at once. Just some food for thought.

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Yay! When is it and what can we bring?!

;)

If you want to do this, I would not call it a "sip and see" (I know others think that's cute but I think it's, um, way too cutesy) and I would not say "this is so you can meet the baby." If you do that people WILL bring gifts, no matter what you tell them about how you don't want gifts. People WILL want to hold the baby and pass her around (yay! let's breathe all over the newborn!).

I would just invite friends to a BBQ. Period. They will inevitably meet the baby when there; she's part of the family.

I also question whether having this party would really stop you from having a trail of visitors coming to the door. Unless you truly issue an explicit "We'd rather not have any visitors for the first X weeks," people will want one-on-one looks at the baby. Especially if you have friends who are the types who will not call first, you need to tell them they must call, and that you might not say yes to a visit just yet.

Yeah, I'd definitely not make the baby the star attraction of the party because she will turn out to be that anyway. If she's cranky or asleep at the time, you'll disappoint people when they come to your "sip and see" and don't see her after all...and they'll be saying, "Can we come over next Tuesday to see her instead?"

I also picture a very tired, sleep-deprived couple trying to play host with a young infant.

I personally like the idea.

Maybe make it a birthday celebration of sorts?
Or send evites to make it less formal?

Were you thinking of planning it now or wait until after baby is here? I'd suggest doing something about 2-3 weeks after baby is born and you have a better idea of how things are going. (I threw my back out for 6 weeks after baby #2 --- so you never know.)

I say go for it. Whatever makes it less stressful for you and baby. Just make sure to have a bottle of hand sanitizer available and decide how you want to handle so many people who want to hold baby when they come.

The only things I'd worry about is exposing the new baby to lots of germs etc and that throwing a party can be a lot of work so have lots of help. Otherwise, great idea.

i personally think it's a great idea!!

this way you are prepared and can plan it!!! and not have to stress about people popping in because they are excited!

You Gp!!

ugh it sounds like my worst nightmare... a sure way to torture a sleep-deprived mom and get everyone's germs all over the new baby.

But if it sounds fun to you, go ahead! Ha!

I would make sure to specify no gifts please or it might look like you are throwing yourself a baby shower...

I think it's a great idea!

I think its a great idea! Friends want to see the baby, but they also don't want to interrupt your sleep or anything. This way, they know when you're up for visitors too. And, if you set it up as a casual bbq and meet the baby everyone knows what to expect.

Have fun and good luck with the new little one!

I think since you're not asking for gifts it's a great idea. Less stress for you!

If you think you can handle hosting a party with a new baby I say go for it.
I also think there's nothing wrong with politely telling everyone that while you understand they want to see the baby you won't feel up to having company for awhile.

my boyfriends friends did it after the baby was a few weeks old. i thought it was a great idea, i dont think you'd have to write no gifts (i wouldnt mention anything about gifts at all)...i think most people like getting a gift for the new baby or mom.

I love the idea!

That way, you can get your rest when it's most important in the beginning as you will be sleep deprived & it's harder to graciously accept visitors at that time!

Congratulations and enjoy your new bundle of love!

I think that's a fabulous idea, for all the reasons that you stated! Good luck and an early congratulations!

We did this after our daughter was born. We had some neighbors and friends that dropped in individually, too, but we picked a day about two weeks after our daughter was born and invited my family members over. We had some simple food, presents were not expected, it was casual but nice.

I think it's a good idea. Maybe just start putting the word out in casual conversations that you and your partner are planning on having a "meet the baby" get together. Then, when an actual invite comes their way, they aren't shocked or offended (but I don't know why anyone would be).

Love the general idea, I think it is actually great to host a meet the baby party, but I wouldn't do a potluck. Potlucks tend to be more for events where there is no particular guest of honor. Otherwise it looks like you are asking guests to throw the party for you. JMO.

GREAT IDEA! My mom did it forme for both of our kids. I loved it because everyone knew it was coming and it stopped the parade of people in and out of our house when we first brought our kids home. And I think ice cream would be great too,less work for you especially with a new baby, do like a sundae bar or something and use paper bowls and plastic spoons, less to clean up! Congrats on the new baby you will be having soon!

Not at all! My cousin's best friend had a "meet the baby party" when my cousin had her baby girl (2nd child). She sent out an informal evite and invited a group of ladies over for tea, cake and appetizers to meet baby Hannah. There was no mention of gifts on the invite (tacky to mention them at all), so there was no pressure either way. Most people bring a gift when they come to meet the baby anyway!

Sounds like fun, since you are not asking for gifts - although they will bring them anyway. So you should provide a meal, for sure.

I'd be a little nervous of the baby being so handled and getting sick. But that's just me.

Yes, I think it's a great idea as long as you also manage how man people you invite. You want everyone to have a chance to meet the little one, but you don't want to overstimulate the wee one (or over expose to germs). It's also a good idea to let people know now that when you get home, you'll be spending the first 4 weeks as a family setting a routine and attaching. You can't wait for your friends to meet the little one, so you're throwing a bbq on such and such date since you won't be able to accept visitors prior to that. That way you've set the expectation now.

In days gone by this was done traditionally when the baby was baptized, dedicated or had a bris or baby-naming ceremony. But so many people don't seem to belong to an orgnaized religiion anymore that it's become less commonplace. That being said, I don't think it's a bad idea - except that you'll be sleep-deprived and not-yet-back to your pre-baby size. But what they heck if you want to why not? I'd wait until the baby's a couple/few weeks old to see what baby's like. My two kids were completely different in terms of naps, crankiness, etc. Then send a brunch invite along with the annoucement. Most people want to give a gift for a new baby anyway so I really don't think most people will assume this is a gift-grab. Congrats!

This is common in a lot of cultures. Although, I would make sure you have arrangements for other people to do all the work! I couldn't imagine hosting with a newborn :/

I my book...never tacky to throw a party of any sorts...I love throwing and attending parties. Get as much done before the baby as you can as far as making arangements and buying stuff (beverages, plates, cups, invitations, etc)

Have it catered if you can....enjoy and congradulations!!!

I think that's a wonderful idea, get it all done in one swoop. Wish I had thought of that!

I think its a super idea!
All the best to you for a healthy delivery, and congratulations in advance! :)

I've heard it's a tradition in the South to throw something called a 'Sip and See' - basically, it's a little cocktail party right after the baby is born for everyone to come over, have a little celebratory drink, see the baby and congratulate the parents. I think it's a lovely idea. But, I'm a party thrower and think any reason to celebrate life's milestones is awesome. I think that so long as you're clear that this is a no gift party, then by all means, do it.

I've even created some free printables for a Sip and See party on my blog: http://www.yourlifevents.com/2011/05/16/free-printables-s.... You can use them for decoration if you like;)

Best,
S.

I think it is a good idea and not tacky.

We don't have a large circle of friends or family but we did this and it worked out well, keeping the traffic to a near minimum. My husband's aunt threw a BBQ party at her house on our behalf which was great. The pre/post cleaning, general mess and cooking was on her which she didn't mind doing. If you are concerned about germs/overstimulation, I recommend a baby sling. I wore our son in a sling carrier so everyone got to peek at the new baby but not play pass the baby. Also I never thought he was overstimulated. He slept contentedly in the sling for nearly the entire two or three hours we were there. Good luck.

I don't think *I* would do this because I think it would be too over-stimulating for the baby, but it does sound like a great idea if you're not concerned about that. I don't know that many people anyway, but for you if you're concerned about unwanted drop-bys, yeah, it probably would work best.

Yes, great idea. I would not mention gifts in the invite at all. I recommend that you keep the time short, like 2 hours max and keep the food simple. Crackers and cheese, cut up vegies or fruit is all you need. Very easy to set out and clean up after. Have coffee and water and you are set.

I think it sounds great and I'd do a potluck!

Be prepared though - people will bring gifts :).

I never go to meet a new baby without bringing something. I typically go for a family gift or something for just mom and dad if it's the first. The baby is normally all set by then.

I think it sounds great. Pass hand sanitzer with the baby! I'd love to go to that party. But I wouldn't be able to resist bringing a baby present.

I think it's a fabulous idea. The only thing I would change is make it a full day; a meet the baby day rather than a party with set time so that you don't get a swam of people. To protect baby's health and you can better control of the passing around and making sure people sanitize/clean their hands before touching baby.

It's a great idea. And that's how people HAVE "meet the baby" parties.
It's not tacky at all because YOU are throwing the party and providing food, drinks, etc. In this case (meet the baby party) I'd trash the idea of a "potluck" if that means the guests bring the food, etc....I would do the food, whatever that *looks* like to you (cooking something, ordering pizza or Chinese, or having it catered).
Speedy delivery!

Great idea!

I did this with my last child, she was the ONLY girl on both sides of our family and EVERYONE was so excited that we finally had a girl...and they all wanted to meet her, so we organized a "Come Meet Lil' Miss Thing" party. My sister took care of all the details, nothing fancy, just some finger sandwiches and some punch. Easy!

~Love that you get all the 'visiting' taken care of and out of the way in one shot!

Lady, if you have the energy and the desire to do this, go for it!

I think it's a great idea! Just make sure to include "no gifts please" in the invite, and not that stupid "your presence is gift enough" phrase that basically means bring gifts.

We actually had a meet the baby party instead of a shower. We didn't know the gender, opted not to know and just wanted to have a first hurrah for us and well, her!

My inlaws were game and they generously rented a hall and all went well.

I love nontraditional ideas.

Sure I was sleep-deprived but more grateful to be out of the house at a party where I could finally have something to drink :-)

In my family, this was accomplished through the party after the baptism but if you aren't religious, then a little "meet the baby" get together is great idea. I, too, hate the "Sip & See" phrase but that is what it's called in some circles, so it's a pretty common practice.