Author Topic: Drive Through Baby Shower (Read 1201 times)

Despedina · « **on:** August 28, 2020, 04:59:06 pm »

So with COVID people are getting creative with celebrations, but how do we fell about a driver through Baby Shower? I'm not sure how I feel about it. My aunt invited me to my cousin's "drive through baby shower". Basically you drive up and drop off a gift. There is a 2 hr window to do this.

Rose Red · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2020, 05:46:05 pm »

If I want to give a gift, I'd drop it off at *my* convenience (calling ahead of time, of course), or have it shipped. What's the point of a strict window if there's no interaction?

lakey · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2020, 06:00:55 pm »

I've always enjoyed both baby showers and wedding showers. I have fun at the get togethers. I even like the dopey games. I enjoy picking out and wrapping a gift. And I understand that one of the main purposes of a shower is to help the new parents get all the stuff they need for the baby, however, the party is also an integral part of it. Both sides get some benefit. The new parents get stuff they need and the guests have some fun.
If all it is going to be is dropping off a gift, why have a shower at all? I find the idea of a drive through shower distasteful. It seems like your only purpose is to GIVE them stuff.

When someone I am related to, or close to, has a baby or gets married, I give them a gift whether they have a shower, reception, or not. I've done this several times, because in my area baby showers are less common than wedding showers. In the case of people not having a regular baby shower because of Covid, I would still give them a gift, because I want to. I would rather do it without the "Drive Through Shower" because it just rubs me the wrong way.

TootsNYC · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2020, 07:00:29 pm »

Quote from: Rose Red on August 28, 2020, 05:46:05 pm

If I want to give a gift, I'd drop it off at *my* convenience (calling ahead of time, of course), or have it shipped. What's the point of a strict window if there's no interaction?

Maybe the interaction will be at a distance?

I'd expect the recipient and maybe those closest to her (and in her "bubble") to be there for me to wave to, and to converse with briefly from about 6 feet away. And some light decorations for "fizz."

But if I went to drop it off, they'd have to come to the door, etc.

If it was someone I was close to, I'd go along with it.

Rose Red · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2020, 07:33:25 pm »

Quote from: TootsNYC on August 28, 2020, 07:00:29 pm

Quote from: Rose Red on August 28, 2020, 05:46:05 pm
If I want to give a gift, I'd drop it off at *my* convenience (calling ahead of time, of course), or have it shipped. What's the point of a strict window if there's no interaction?

Maybe the interaction will be at a distance?

I'd expect the recipient and maybe those closest to her (and in her "bubble") to be there for me to wave to, and to converse with briefly from about 6 feet away. And some light decorations for "fizz."

But if I went to drop it off, they'd have to come to the door, etc.

If it was someone I was close to, I'd go along with it.

This drive through shower just sounds like you drop off the gift, perhaps say a few words, and drive off. No interaction with other guests. Depending on the time and distance, it may be inconvenient for something that's just a few minutes.

I can also drop off a gift in front of their door and converse at a distance at a time that work for both of us. If that doesn't work for them, I'd have the gift shipped and call them on the phone for a nice chat. I'm not interested in going out of my way and getting in line just to hand over a gift.

I know this year sucks for people having weddings, showers, and other celebrations so I don't blame them for thinking outside the box.

Winterlight · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2020, 08:11:11 pm »

I'm attending a Zoom baby shower tomorrow. Will report back on how it goes. I sent my gift last week (they wanted donations towards a doula and under the circumstances I felt money via Paypal was probably the safest gift.)

gellchom · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2020, 09:09:54 pm »

Quote from: lakey on August 28, 2020, 06:00:55 pm

I've always enjoyed both baby showers and wedding showers. I have fun at the get togethers. I even like the dopey games. I enjoy picking out and wrapping a gift. And I understand that one of the main purposes of a shower is to help the new parents get all the stuff they need for the baby, however, the party is also an integral part of it. Both sides get some benefit. The new parents get stuff they need and the guests have some fun.
If all it is going to be is dropping off a gift, why have a shower at all? I find the idea of a drive through shower distasteful. It seems like your only purpose is to GIVE them stuff.

When someone I am related to, or close to, has a baby or gets married, I give them a gift whether they have a shower, reception, or not. I've done this several times, because in my area baby showers are less common than wedding showers. In the case of people not having a regular baby shower because of Covid, I would still give them a gift, because I want to. I would rather do it without the "Drive Through Shower" because it just rubs me the wrong way.

Exactly this.

Like Toots, if it were someone I am close to, I'd go along with it, but that doesn't mean I like it. And I certainly wouldn't host it (if the word "host" even applies).

It just comes down to a demand for a gift, period -- to be delivered promptly at a specific time. I don't see how that's polite, COVID or no COVID. Gifts are nice and they are customary, and I do feel bad for people who miss out on things they looked forward to because of the virus, but gifts and showers aren't something to which anyone is so entitled that it justifies doing something like this. I agree that I don't blame people for thinking outside the box this year, but there had to be other ideas. I would vastly prefer a Zoom shower to this -- in fact, I'd like it.

Especially because, as others have said, if it's someone I'm close to, I'm going to get them a baby gift whether or not there is a shower. It probably would be the same gift, too. Just as I am giving wedding gifts to the couples getting married this year who had to cancel their big weddings. My daughter just had a baby, and no shower, and people are giving her gifts.

NyaChan · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2020, 10:16:22 pm »

There’s one in my family coming up. I won’t be attending because I’m in a different state, but the hostess shared her plans and I think it sounds cute. The attendees can come say hi from safe distance, pick up custom cupcakes, candies, and take pictures in front of a custom backdrop for the mom to be to have as a keepsake. I don’t think anyone is dropping off gifts as they are registered on a website that ships it all to the expecting parents directly. I managed to snag the rocking chair so the relatives are jealous hehe

I don’t think it’s a bad thing. If we’d been able, we would have thrown the relative a nice shower with family and close friends (as good as family) and it feels good to get a chance to show her we care even if it isn’t as long or as interactive as a shower. We’d have sent gifts whether there was a shower or not so it doesn’t really feel rude to me.

LifeOnPluto · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2020, 01:25:45 am »

How exactly is this going to work? As others have suggested, is it literally going to be driving by to say "Hello, here's your gift, goodbye" with no refreshments or interaction with the other guests? If so, that does seem a bit rude, and I'd just be dropping off a gift at my own convenience.

On the other hand, if the host(s) are going to be serving some refreshments, and conversing with each guest, and maybe even thinking of some creative social-distancing games to play, I'd make the effort to attend.

(PS - I know some might think serving refreshments could be a COVID risk, but there ways to get around it - for example, having sparkling wine or grape juice in disposable plastic glasses that the guests get to keep, etc. Or only serving store-bought goods, rather than home-baked goods, etc).

Winterlight · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2020, 11:50:06 am »

I just finished a Zoom baby shower where I only knew the mother to be, and it went really well. We played a couple of games, had some free chatting time, and it was very relaxed and fun. I'd much rather do that than "Hi, here's your gift, we're gone." That's not enjoyable at all.

Aleko · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2020, 01:08:09 pm »

Having grown up in a culture to which the concept of a party given for the avowed purpose of receiving gifts is completely alien, I accept I'm hardly qualified to comment. But if there's to be no socialising (or not more than you'd have with a deliveryman - 'hello, thanks for delivering my parcel, you can leave it on the doorstep there, goodbye'), that really does amount to no more than a demand for you to deliver a gift at a time of their convenience. Being told to pick up a cupcake and a bag of candies apiece from a dumpbin amounts to not more than a tip - and who the heck would want photos of all their not-guests as a keepsake? Who's going to look back nostalgically at that?

I'd say, do it on Zoom (or equivalent) if you're going to do it at all. That is at least virtual socialising.

SioCat · « **Reply #11 on:** August 29, 2020, 01:35:01 pm »

I’ve participated in a birthday parade where we decorated our vehicles, drove by honking and waving. The birthday boy had his decorations too and on the second lap around the block, we dropped off our gifts. It was a lot of fun. I’ve seen a few of these birthday parades and graduation parades. I think it would be strange if I was just suppose to drop off a gift. Couldn’t I do that at any time?

gellchom · « **Reply #12 on:** August 29, 2020, 05:41:09 pm »

Quote from: SioCat on August 29, 2020, 01:35:01 pm

I’ve participated in a birthday parade where we decorated our vehicles, drove by honking and waving. The birthday boy had his decorations too and on the second lap around the block, we dropped off our gifts. It was a lot of fun. I’ve seen a few of these birthday parades and graduation parades. I think it would be strange if I was just suppose to drop off a gift. Couldn’t I do that at any time?

Some people did this for my husband's 65th birthday. It was great. But no gifts! Just a surprise parade through our circular driveway.

DaDancingPsych · « **Reply #13 on:** August 29, 2020, 06:23:02 pm »

This is a tough year. I give everyone some slack as they are trying to figure out how to do things when there often isn't a good example to work off of. We all find ourselves having to think outside the box. So even if I find the idea terribly tacky, I would probably go along with it.

I would want to know more details. My guess is that you don't just drive-up, pop the trunk, and someone grabs the gift and you drive off. I assume that there will be some interaction and some safe merriment. If I was setting one up, I would probably find some festive decorations, try to offer a safe take home treat, and I love the photo booth idea. I would also try to find a spot (probably outdoors) where people could safely socialize. In my area, we are allowed to have up to 250 people outdoors, which is typically more than most showers. I would think that the idea is that you are not expected to stay too long. If this truly is a don't get out of your car situation, I would assume that there is still some interaction (and I would still want to send a treat), but I would think that the guests could do fun things to their cars... signs and parade decorations.

But if this isn't to your taste, decline. You can gift (or not gift) in the way that you are comfortable.

Hmmm · « **Reply #14 on:** August 29, 2020, 07:05:01 pm »

I'm fine with it.

I can imagine the parents to be enjoying a 2 hour window where they'd see a "parade" of friends and family in a condensed time frame to at least create some type of celebratory environment. I've heard of these and there is a little interaction though called a drive thru.

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Author Topic: Drive Through Baby Shower (Read 1201 times)

Despedina

Drive Through Baby Shower

Rose Red

Re: Drive Through Baby Shower

lakey

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TootsNYC

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Rose Red

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Winterlight

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gellchom

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NyaChan

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LifeOnPluto

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Winterlight

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Aleko

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SioCat

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gellchom

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DaDancingPsych

Re: Drive Through Baby Shower

Hmmm

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