We’re not stuck on the rule that you can only have a baby shower for your first baby. We believe celebrating every baby – whether it’s the first or the seventh – is always warranted. However, there is a big difference in needs when it’s the first baby or the second.
Typically, we don’t need as much stuff when we’re about to welcome our second baby. For example, there’s usually a crib that’s still in good condition we can still use. Same for clothes, swings, toys, and the stroller.
But we all know that gifts aren’t what a shower is about. Instead, it’s all about the celebration and the joy that we get to share with our families. And that’s why many opt for a smaller shower without the elaborate themes, gifts, and guest list for subsequent babies, which is usually called a baby sprinkle.
If you’re planning a baby sprinkle, here are 10 ideas to make it memorable for all the guests and a beautiful celebration for the parents-to-be.
1. Go for a Theme That’s Not So Literal
3. Pamper the Pregnant Person
Baby showers are always about the baby. The pregnant person takes the background even though they’re the one being showered and opening the gifts. For a baby sprinkle, turn the spotlight off the baby and center it on the one carrying the baby. Think gifts for pampering, comfort, and support for the parents instead of more onesies for the baby.
4. Make It Virtual
While traditional showers are in person, a fun idea for a sprinkle can be to make it virtual, opening the invite to people who usually wouldn’t be able to attend. This is ideal for parents who are busy with their older child and can be a fun way to incorporate other kids into the party without worrying about entertaining the little ones.
5. Advice for the Sibling
A fun twist on the popular shower game that has guests write down words of wisdom for the parents-to-be makes it all about the sibling. Have guests share tidbits of information, hacks, and advice for the older child that can be compiled and read to the new soon-to-be older sibling. They’ll appreciate getting some attention, too.
6. Food Is the Way to the Heart
It’s customary for these events to have some activities for the guests to participate in, and since many of the shower ones are tied to giving new advice or decorating clothes for the baby, this can be centered around ways to help the parents transition to being parents of two (or more). Have guests bring freezer meals or host a cooking class of foods the guests can learn to make and stock in the family's freezer.
7. Open Up the Guest Book
Sprinkles are usually smaller events than a baby shower, but that doesn't mean it has to be that way. Instead of making it just for the women in the parent-to-be’s circle, open it to their partner and kids and have a more relaxed, less formal celebration.
8. Don’t Sweat the Games
We know that games at parties like this aren’t for everyone. Often, they can be more hassle than they’re worth and that’s one reason sprinkles are good – they’re way more casual. Don’t put so much pressure on the games. Instead, either forgo them all together or opt for more casual games like writing notes on diapers that the baby can eventually wear or creating an art piece with each guest’s fingerprints.
