Things You'll Need
Baby shower invitations, envelopes, stamps
Pen or computer printer
Baby shower information
Legal, preferred names of the parents
Baby’s name and/or gender if announced
Baby registry information
In today's society, unmarried couples do not suffer the stigma that once accompanied being unwed and having a child. Baby showers and other customs should treat the couple, if they cohabitate, as if they were legally married. If the parents are divorced, it is assumed that they are cordial if they are having a shower hosted for them jointly. When wording the baby shower invitation, word everything as you would for married parents, except list the parents' preferred legal names and don't use customary titles such as Mr. and Mrs. unless the couple has requested this information be written on the invitations.
Step 1
Provide the time and date of the baby shower on the invitation. Baby shower invitations may be purchased in a "fill in the blank" format allowing the sender to customize the information. Or, you can custom order baby shower invitations by providing the information to a company that will print the invitations for you.
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Step 2
Provide the location of the baby shower on the baby shower invitation. Providing a printed map is a pleasant convenience for guests.
Step 3
Write the invitation. Sample text: "You are invited to a baby shower for proud parents Donald Wilkes and Sarah Stanley. Come welcome baby Elizabeth."
Step 4
List the baby registries in smaller print or on the back of a single-faced card invitation. For example: "Baby Elizabeth is registered at: Target, Macy's and Babies R Us. Or: David and Sarah are registered at: x, y and z." How you list the parents will depend on their status: dating/cohabitating couple, same-sex, or divorced couple. When addressing an invitation for a same-sex couple, list the names alphabetically.
Tip
Today families reflect our changing world. Same-sex couples adopt and give birth to babies. Parents adopt older children, but still may need a shower. Divorced couples remain friendly for the benefit of raising the child in a healthy environment. No matter what the status or relationship of the parents, the parents are still parents. Think of the invitation as being baby-centered rather than parents-centered. If need be, the invitation can focus on the baby’s name, with the parents' names featured less prominently on the invitation. After all, the shower is for the baby, not the parents.
Warning
When in doubt, don’t assume. Ask the parents how they want their names presented. Many married couples do not share the same name even though they are legally wed. If the shower is a surprise shower, ask a close relative or friend of one or both of the parents about how the names should be relayed to the shower invitees.
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