A new addition to the family is always a blessing and must be celebrated. When a family welcomes a new bundle of joy for the first time, it is celebrated with a baby shower. However, for the second baby and any baby after that, it is celebrated and welcomed with a baby sprinkle.
We know that the customs and tradition of baby shower is not just to party and share with the joy of the expecting parents, but more so to help prepare their essential needs during and after pregnancy thru gifts. The shower is intended to help them prepare for their journey towards parenthood.
Baby Sprinkle on the other hand is just like baby shower, but on a smaller scale. It is more of a celebration of a new baby and not so much about lavish gifts. Given that it’s the second or so child, the parents already have the essentials they will need from the first baby, and they already know what to expect as parents.
With that being said, baby shower and baby sprinkle are the same but a little bit different at the same time. This baby sprinkle might be new for your guests, and therefore may not know what to expect or what to do. Perhaps this may be new to you as well. So, here’s a walk through on how to go about and organize a baby sprinkle.
1. HOST
Who should host a baby sprinkle? Just like baby showes, the expecting parents or their immediate family must not be the host, rather it must be hosted by one of the expecting mom’s friends of one of the relatives of either the expecting mom or dad.
2. GUEST LIST
Depending on the venue or wether it is going to be in-person or virtual, and the expecting parents’ preferrence – whether to have a small intimate party or bigger crowd.
Always work on the guest list with the expecting parents, to make sure that you don’t miss out on some of the most important guests that either the expecting mom or dad would love to come.
Just like baby showers, you can also have more than one baby sprinkle. That way, you can easily organize and group your guests.
3. DECORATION
Just like baby showers, you can opt to have a theme for your sprinkle and have lavish decorations. But, really when it comes to baby sprinkle, the mindset is SIMPLICITY. It doesn’t mean you have simple decorations, then it is less of a party compared to the baby shower thrown for the first baby.
Often simple is more beautiful. Also, it gives you and the guests enough room and more reason to be with each other and have real conversation as oppose to taking pictures here and there because of the decorations.
4. GIFT REGISTRY
What is the proper etiquette on gifts for baby sprinkles? Normally, you make a gift registry for baby showers. Reason being, the expecting parents are starting zero and need a lot of preparation. Now for the second time around or so, the expecting parents may already have most of the essential stuff they will need. And the good thing is that, gifts can be focused on the essentials that parents need plenty of like diapers, baby wipes, bath shampoo and soap, lotion, powder, and the likes. Unlike baby shower where gifts are more of like show-stopping, for this one it is more on the practical side.
5. ACTIVITIES AND GAMES
Well, a party is not a party without some fun activities. You can choose to play games just like the baby shower games. But, it will be best to have less of that and do something that is not only fun, but at end of the activities that you do, you leave the parents something as a keepsake or something that can be useful for the baby or the nursery.
Also, best to opt for activities that are more intimate and meaningful.
6. PARTY FAVORS
It is always good to give away something for the guests as a simple thank you. There is no right or wrong party favor. It is can be a bag of goodies, basket of fruits, cupcakes and cookies, flowers, or some scented candles. Anything that reflects the tone of the party and comes from the heart are thoughtful gestures, and will surely be appreciated by the guests.
Finally, whether it is the first, second or so child, they must be welcomed with joy and celebrated, for they are all blessings to the family. The celebration has to be as memorable and special as it was for the first born child. But then, there is no need to overspend or be lavish about it like the baby shower. You need to be practical and save, especially now that your family is growing.