We regularly hear people asking, just how do I know who I should invite to my baby shower? Do I need to invite co-workers? Is it okay to invite family members that I haven't seen in a while? Here are a few simple tips to help you figure out.
First, if you are not throwing the shower, you should speak with the hostess and ask her about what size she is thinking of for the shower.
If she is thinking a small shower of 15 people and you want to invite 75, you might be putting her through a lot more work then she is ready for.
By having a reasonable idea of how many guests are appropriate, you can begin to decide who you might like to come.
Next, look at your family members.
Start with your immediate family.
Grandma's (and grandpa's too if it's a co-ed shower) should always be invited to a shower.
Your siblings will also expect to be invited, and not inviting them can make for hurt feelings within your family.
Next look at your in-laws.
Even if you don't get along with your in-laws too well, or they are out of state, they should be invited to your shower.
This baby will be part of their family.
Once you've looked at the more immediate family members, consider cousins and aunts.
Decide who it is important for you to have at the shower, and make sure you invite them.
Then consider the family dynamics, there maybe some other relatives that you need to invite just to keep the peace.
You don't have to invite those people, but decide whether it is worth it not to invite them.
After family come the friends.
Close friends are a given for most people.
If you regularly interact with someone, and would call them in a time of need, they should be at the top of your list of people to invite.
The rest of your friends and acquaintances are less vital, and you can take them on a case by case basis.
When it comes to co-workers, you do not need to feel obligated to invite them.
If you are close to a few people in the office and regularly spend time with them outside of work, then they should be treated just like any other friend.
If you do not spend time outside of work with any of your co-workers, a good rule of thumb is invite one, invite them all.
That doesn't mean you have to invite everyone in the office, but if you have two managers and invite one, you may open up a big problem for yourself.
If you have two people under you and you invite one, again there is a potential for problems.
If you invite your manager but not your employees, you probably won't have any issues.
So, if you have similar work relationships with a few people, it is best to either invite them all or none of them.
Is it okay to invite someone you don't see very often, but that you feel close to? By all means! If you haven't seen your best friend from college in a few years, but you talk with them every now and then, send them an invitation.
If you want to invite your aunt that you see every 3 or 4 years go ahead and invite her.
Many people worry that the person might feel like they are being hit up for gifts, but in actuality the number of people who feel like that is very small.
Most people will be touched that you invited them.
In the end, when you decide who to invite to your baby shower, make sure they are people you want to be there.
That is what really matters.
You may have to bend a little with some relatives to keep the peace, but you should not invite anyone that will make you feel uncomfortable or upset.
This is a special day for you, surround yourself with people who love and respect you.