Pregnant Woman Is Left Furious And Disappointed After Her Huge Baby Shower Doesn’t Go As Planned
Interview With ExpertBaby showers are quite a recent tradition that celebrates the upcoming birth of a baby and allows family and friends to ‘shower’ the parents-to-be with attention, essential items, and gifts. Typically, these joyous occasions are hosted by close women of the mom-to-be. But now it’s becoming common for expecting women to throw these celebrations themselves. Even though they choose to take matters into their own hands, they still need all the help they can get, as throwing a baby shower while being heavily pregnant isn’t an easy task.
This brother offered all the support he could to his expecting sister planning her baby shower. However, as her demands grew, he lost his patience, which got him uninvited from the event altogether.
Scroll down to find the full story and a conversation with Katie Montell, a professional baby planner and founder of The Baby Planner, and Virginia Trafton Frischkorn, one of the top event planners in the US and CEO and founder of Partytrick, who kindly agreed to tell us more about planning baby showers.
When a mom-to-be takes it upon herself to host a baby shower, she needs all the help she can get
Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)
This brother tried supporting his pregnant sister planning for her baby shower as much as possible but lost patience when her demands started growing
Image credits: zinkevych / freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits: nolascol
How far is too far when it comes to asking for help from loved ones while preparing for a baby shower?
Image credits: peoplecreations / freepik (not the actual photo)
Katie Montell, a professional baby planner and founder of The Baby Planner, tells Bored Panda that traditionally, a baby shower is hosted by a close friend, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, or another close family member. “Often, as soon as the pregnancy is announced, someone will extend an offer to host. In some cases, multiple people may want to host, and they can either collaborate to plan the event together or host separate showers. If no one offers by the time the parents-to-be are around 15-20 weeks, they can subtly mention it to close friends or family members who may be willing to take the lead,” she explains.
But as times and etiquette are changing, moms-to-be often take it upon themselves to host this joyous celebration. “These days, it’s perfectly acceptable for siblings, parents, or even the expectant parents themselves to take the lead—especially if they love to entertain! What matters most is that the celebration feels thoughtful and joyful for the parents-to-be,” says Virginia Trafton Frischkorn, one of the top event planners in the US and CEO and founder of Partytrick.
Even though they might be thrilled to throw their own baby shower, moms-to-be still need all the help they can get, as running around planning an event while being 8-9 months pregnant is quite the challenge. But how far is too far when it comes to asking for help from loved ones while preparing for this occasion?
“Friends and family can help by handling RSVPs, setting up décor, organizing a game or activity, or curating a playlist. Many parents-to-be also appreciate help with food and drinks—whether that’s catering, a potluck-style setup, or a themed cocktail/mocktail bar. And, of course, letting someone else take care of the cleanup is always a great idea!” says Frischkorn.
Montell also suggests that multiple friends and family can offer to collaborate on planning and covering the costs and stay on top of gift organization and guest management.
A beautiful and meaningful baby shower doesn’t have to be expensive
Image credits: Bizon / freepik (not the actual photo)
The size of the baby shower often depends on the parent’s-to-be preferences. It could be a more intimate celebration with 10-20 guests or a larger one with 30-50 guests and more.
“Typically, guests include close friends, family members, and sometimes coworkers, but the parents-to-be should consider the costs and logistics when finalizing the guest list. Couples’ baby showers tend to have larger guest lists, which can increase the cost and complexity of the event,” Montell told us.
Frischkorn believes that a beautiful and meaningful baby shower doesn’t have to be expensive. “The best celebrations focus on connection, not cost. A DIY approach—using digital invitations, at-home hosting, and creative (but simple!) décor—can be just as special as a lavish event. At Partytrick, we believe in smart planning: with the right blueprint, any celebration can feel elevated, no matter the budget,” she says.
To keep the costs down if the host is working with a limited budget, Montell suggests thinking about hosting the celebration at home, planning to have the event at a non-meal time (in the afternoon), and having minimal games and prizes. “A beautiful and enjoyable baby shower is about celebrating the parents-to-be and bringing their loved ones together—it doesn’t have to break the bank!”
Lastly, Montell notes, “If parents-to-be don’t want a traditional baby shower, they can consider alternative celebrations like a nesting party (where guests help prepare their home for the baby), a sip & see (a post-birth gathering to meet the baby), or a sprinkle (a smaller shower for second or third-time parents). Also, if organizing a registry feels overwhelming, I offer baby registry consultation services to help parents build a list tailored to their needs and lifestyles!”
Most readers were on the brother’s side, saying the sister was being ungrateful
Some thought it was the fault of both parties
Poll Question
Thanks! Check out the results:
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Share on FacebookI'd be cancelling every reservation and vendor I could, return the stroller and whatever else I could return, and wipe the evite registration site.
Yeah, my first thought was "why not pay for her shower", but I was thinking a cake and non-alcoholic drinks for 10-15 people.
Load More Replies...The ESH comments leave me baffled. In my world „I‘ll help out“ does in no way mean „I‘ll pay for the whole thing“. And even if someone offered to pay for my whatever party I would make sure I know what their budget is and stick to it.
Thank you! I was going nuts maybe i misread something. He said im hally to help not host not throw the shower. Help. As is set up or decorate. And def not throw.a.shower for 120 ppl which is bonkers btw.
Load More Replies...Throwing your own shower is so tacky! The sister sounds desperate for attention and entitled, which is probably why she had to throw her own shower and since her partner probably doesn’t want to get married she was probably trying to make up for it by throwing an over the top shower. Reality will hit hard when she has a child to take care of and she realizes it ain’t all about her anymore.
Renting a hall for 120 guests was the weird detail for me. I wonder if the event will also have a dress code.
Load More Replies...Are huge baby showers different than showers for normal sized babies?
Are huge, 120-guest baby showers a tradition, anywhere?
Load More Replies...Weren't all these "showers" initially for people who couldn't afford to put together a wedding trusseau / basic necessities for their child? If you can afford an OTT party, you don't need to go and beg people for nappies and strollers. Incidentally, if you *need* a registry, then I don't want to be seeing luxury items on the list. It's one thing to say, hey, I can't afford the car seat with the highest safety rating can you pitch in with whatever you can afford, and a completely different thing to ask for a Dior diaper bag.
I put the bouncer I wanted a some medical items and such in it
Load More Replies...I don't even know, let alone like, that many people. Sounds like she just wants a lot of gifts.
A baby shower for 120 people sounds nuts. In the Netherlands it's a secret for the mom to be if she gets a babyshower or not. It takes place in someones home or at a restaurant. The showers I have organized, been invited to or were organized for me had about 5-25 people. All guests contribute monetarily mostly (or grandparents to be pitch in). It's not at all that expensive that way for anyone in particular and just an intimate party.
FOR THE LAST TIME : The mom-to-be does NOT host or direct the baby shower. A friend or relative invites A FEW close friends to their living room to eat cake and snacks, play silly games, and bring thoughtful gifts for the mom and baby. There is no "venue", no catering, no DJ; there might be a theme if sonogram results have already been announced. The mom-to-be is required to be cheerful and grateful throughout the festivities, and writes thank you notes after. That's how life in the polite/mature world works.
WTF is up with people who decide to throw their own party at someone else's expense. You block me, I cancel everything I have paid for. Entitlement at it's finest.
wedding and baby showers are given by someone who is close to the pets of honor and has asked to host shower. you do not throw your own shower!
Cancel everything n spend it on your b day !, your sister is a total brat ! this has gotta be America lmao we are far better mannered in uk n baby showers are small intimate if people have them you know NORMAL ! not entitled show offs lol Blessed be n have a fab 40th x
I am sure the brother is happier now. Uninvited, haha, Baby showers in my experience and opinion are for close friends, family members, and usually all females. Well, that one might have changed these days. I am sure these male friends are thrilled to sit on someones couch listening the mother to be yapping and opening baby gifts. There are exceptions, of course. The last one I attended, there were no males around, the husband showed up when he brought his partner to the event, which was in a party room of the apartment building. If 10-15 ladies were there, it was enough. Food was mostly snacks and small appertizers. Enough for a two hour event.
The sister is nuts, who invites 120 people to a baby shower? She sounds like a major drama queen. Any baby shower I've gone to had at least 20 guests and always at somebody's house or a church.
I hate baby showers. They were never a thing when I had my daughters. I presume the original concept was for friends and family to give baby essentials to couples who perhaps didn't have much to spare financially, a way of helping out, but it seems to have become mainly for attention seeking entitled people.
I would have given her 24 hours to reimburse me for everything that I had paid for, and let her know that she did not reimburse me, I would cancel everything that I had paid for. If she then tried to reinvite me, I would say that I wasn't going and I better see that money soon.
A baby shower is supposed to be thrown by friends and family. A pregnant woman is not supposed to arrange it, ask for it, or otherwise be seen to be greedy. Same as for a bridal shower. It's thrown voluntarily by the support people or it does not happen. This pregnant woman is so over the top, I'd duck out too and be well rid of her.
This is written strangely. Might be a translation thing but I don’t we’re getting anywhere near the full story.
Depends on the culture. There are some that wait for the baby and some that do it when heavily pregnant. However that being said a baby or fetus is never a thing
Load More Replies...Although the sister was obviously in the wrong for not communicating well
Load More Replies...Baby showers are money/stuff grabs. Maybe Trump can sign a decree banning them?
1 baby showers are more than just an American thing. 2 banning a party really?? Why because you think it's just a money grab? If that's the case then you know mister gimme gimme ain't gonna cancel it but make it mandatory and wonder why no one gave him 50
Load More Replies...I'd be cancelling every reservation and vendor I could, return the stroller and whatever else I could return, and wipe the evite registration site.
Yeah, my first thought was "why not pay for her shower", but I was thinking a cake and non-alcoholic drinks for 10-15 people.
Load More Replies...The ESH comments leave me baffled. In my world „I‘ll help out“ does in no way mean „I‘ll pay for the whole thing“. And even if someone offered to pay for my whatever party I would make sure I know what their budget is and stick to it.
Thank you! I was going nuts maybe i misread something. He said im hally to help not host not throw the shower. Help. As is set up or decorate. And def not throw.a.shower for 120 ppl which is bonkers btw.
Load More Replies...Throwing your own shower is so tacky! The sister sounds desperate for attention and entitled, which is probably why she had to throw her own shower and since her partner probably doesn’t want to get married she was probably trying to make up for it by throwing an over the top shower. Reality will hit hard when she has a child to take care of and she realizes it ain’t all about her anymore.
Renting a hall for 120 guests was the weird detail for me. I wonder if the event will also have a dress code.
Load More Replies...Are huge baby showers different than showers for normal sized babies?
Are huge, 120-guest baby showers a tradition, anywhere?
Load More Replies...Weren't all these "showers" initially for people who couldn't afford to put together a wedding trusseau / basic necessities for their child? If you can afford an OTT party, you don't need to go and beg people for nappies and strollers. Incidentally, if you *need* a registry, then I don't want to be seeing luxury items on the list. It's one thing to say, hey, I can't afford the car seat with the highest safety rating can you pitch in with whatever you can afford, and a completely different thing to ask for a Dior diaper bag.
I put the bouncer I wanted a some medical items and such in it
Load More Replies...I don't even know, let alone like, that many people. Sounds like she just wants a lot of gifts.
A baby shower for 120 people sounds nuts. In the Netherlands it's a secret for the mom to be if she gets a babyshower or not. It takes place in someones home or at a restaurant. The showers I have organized, been invited to or were organized for me had about 5-25 people. All guests contribute monetarily mostly (or grandparents to be pitch in). It's not at all that expensive that way for anyone in particular and just an intimate party.
FOR THE LAST TIME : The mom-to-be does NOT host or direct the baby shower. A friend or relative invites A FEW close friends to their living room to eat cake and snacks, play silly games, and bring thoughtful gifts for the mom and baby. There is no "venue", no catering, no DJ; there might be a theme if sonogram results have already been announced. The mom-to-be is required to be cheerful and grateful throughout the festivities, and writes thank you notes after. That's how life in the polite/mature world works.
WTF is up with people who decide to throw their own party at someone else's expense. You block me, I cancel everything I have paid for. Entitlement at it's finest.
wedding and baby showers are given by someone who is close to the pets of honor and has asked to host shower. you do not throw your own shower!
Cancel everything n spend it on your b day !, your sister is a total brat ! this has gotta be America lmao we are far better mannered in uk n baby showers are small intimate if people have them you know NORMAL ! not entitled show offs lol Blessed be n have a fab 40th x
I am sure the brother is happier now. Uninvited, haha, Baby showers in my experience and opinion are for close friends, family members, and usually all females. Well, that one might have changed these days. I am sure these male friends are thrilled to sit on someones couch listening the mother to be yapping and opening baby gifts. There are exceptions, of course. The last one I attended, there were no males around, the husband showed up when he brought his partner to the event, which was in a party room of the apartment building. If 10-15 ladies were there, it was enough. Food was mostly snacks and small appertizers. Enough for a two hour event.
The sister is nuts, who invites 120 people to a baby shower? She sounds like a major drama queen. Any baby shower I've gone to had at least 20 guests and always at somebody's house or a church.
I hate baby showers. They were never a thing when I had my daughters. I presume the original concept was for friends and family to give baby essentials to couples who perhaps didn't have much to spare financially, a way of helping out, but it seems to have become mainly for attention seeking entitled people.
I would have given her 24 hours to reimburse me for everything that I had paid for, and let her know that she did not reimburse me, I would cancel everything that I had paid for. If she then tried to reinvite me, I would say that I wasn't going and I better see that money soon.
A baby shower is supposed to be thrown by friends and family. A pregnant woman is not supposed to arrange it, ask for it, or otherwise be seen to be greedy. Same as for a bridal shower. It's thrown voluntarily by the support people or it does not happen. This pregnant woman is so over the top, I'd duck out too and be well rid of her.
This is written strangely. Might be a translation thing but I don’t we’re getting anywhere near the full story.
Depends on the culture. There are some that wait for the baby and some that do it when heavily pregnant. However that being said a baby or fetus is never a thing
Load More Replies...Although the sister was obviously in the wrong for not communicating well
Load More Replies...Baby showers are money/stuff grabs. Maybe Trump can sign a decree banning them?
1 baby showers are more than just an American thing. 2 banning a party really?? Why because you think it's just a money grab? If that's the case then you know mister gimme gimme ain't gonna cancel it but make it mandatory and wonder why no one gave him 50
Load More Replies...










































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