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01-16-2013 at 2:13 PM
dillonwood
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Baby Shower Invites for out of towners??

Just looking for some input on baby shower invite list. I have A LOT of out of town family members (my husband's side of the family does as well)...We are having one shower for both sides of the family. Am I supposed to invite out of towners as well or is it perfectly appropriate to just make sure they are on the birth announcement list? What's the protocol?
 
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01-16-2013 at 2:22 PM
Darbie914
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I think it would be nice to at least extend the invitation if you'd like them to attend.  They may be able to make the trip, they may not.  

I don't think that there's a set protocol as to who you have to invite to a baby shower.  You can keep it small with only your closest family and friends or go for a larger scale list. 
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01-16-2013 at 2:28 PM
EastCoastB...
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My take - remember that this is a shower, not a wedding.  I'd invite family that you keep regular contact with, perhaps.  But I wouldn't invite family who you really only ever see at "big family events" (like weddings). 

Showers are about "showring the MTB w/ gifts" so to invite someone IS to ask for a gift - so use caution when creating your list.  

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01-16-2013 at 3:19 PM
Stina2012
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Also, check with your hostess or hostesses to see if they have a number of guests in mind.

As a former hostess, I was shocked when a friend send a list of 60 people to me. Sure, not everyone comes to the shower but that increased the cost of invitations and stamps.
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01-16-2013 at 4:10 PM
EastCoastB...
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Stina2012:

Also, check with your hostess or hostesses to see if they have a number of guests in mind.

This too! 
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01-16-2013 at 6:13 PM
arteri
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I am sending invites out of state for family and very close friends, only.

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01-16-2013 at 11:41 PM
rhubarb123
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I invited a lot of out of town guests (up to 5 hours away) but we do seem them often and are close to them.  They come to BBQ's, Christmas parties, Baby Dedications, House Warmings, almost all get-togethers.  I didn't invite family who I only see at weddings and funerals.  I would send those people a birth announcement though.
 
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01-17-2013 at 8:28 AM
ChevyFam71...
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Check back in the board a bit - there are a lot of these.

1. I'd include it for closer family/friends would would ABSOLUTELY be there if they lived in town and include a note that you know they might not be able to make it but that they will be there in spirit.

2. If it's someone you don't know well - save the shower invite and send a birth announcement later - to me this seems gift grabby...

3. I got annoyed with my MIL who "had" to invite all sorts of out of town people becuse they are related to someone in town and if they talked about it someone would get hurt feelings... ugh...

4. Don't do regrets only - I regret it though it wasn't my choice. My Mom and Sister are putting the shower on for me but since both sides are invited, I've been made the go-between and they keep asking who is coming because they haven't heard much from ANYONE!!
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01-17-2013 at 1:12 PM
Disneygeek...
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I would only invite out of town guests if you think there is a high likelyhood they are coming.  Most reasonable woman wouldn't get their feelings hurt because they weren't invited to a shower that is far away.

I have been invited to showers for my husband's family that lives halfway across the country and if I was going to be completely honest, I thought getting those invites was weird and a bit gift grabby.  Sure if I lived in town I probably would have gone to their showers, but come on they live in CA and I live in MO.  Did I really need to get a shower invitation ? 

 
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01-17-2013 at 1:22 PM
526SadieSa...
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If you're close with them and think they might make the trip, I think it's appropriate - depending on the distance.

I'll say that I'm pretty close with my cousin who moved to Florida.  My mom sent her an invitation to my shower (in Rhode Island) because she tries to schedule visits home around family events (weddings, holidays and showers) so she can see more of us when she visits. 

 
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