A shower for Grandma?  Why yes!  A newer trend that has been growing in popularity over the past 5 years, Grandma showers celebrate the life-changing experience of becoming a Grandma.  Thrown by an intimate group of friends or co-workers, Grandma showers prove to be fun celebrations that help Grandma get started in her new role.  

Here are a few tips and reminders to make the celebration memorable and GRAND:

 

  1. Keep the shower plans simple, don't try to compete with the shower for Mom-to-Be.  Consider her thoughts and feelings when planning the shower.  If Mom lives in the area, see if she would like to attend or perhaps be a special guest at some point in the celebration.
  2. If a Grandpa is involved, perhaps a couples dinner, luncheon, or cocktail party would be a great way to celebrate.  Select a home, local restaurant or favorite gathering place.
  3. Give a variety of gifts that are fun, sentimental, and practical, a "Grandma Loves Me" bib, a sentimental frame and a pack and play would be good examples.  If baby will have special needs when born or the baby's gender is known, select a theme for the shower and gifts.
  4. Consider having the group pitch in and purchase a larger item such as a digital camera, webcam, plane tickets for a long-distance grandbaby visit or a piece of baby equipment.
  5. Consider giving larger gently-used items for Grandma if she is going to be watching the baby on a regular basis, a high chair, crib, car seat, swing, etc.  These items will help her outfit her own little nursery or play area and make it easier on new Mom from having to transport equipment back and forth.
  6. Play a game or two to make the shower fun.  Post a photo and trivia about grandma when she was a baby, guess the grandbaby's birth date and weight, or offer guesses at what the baby will call Grandma: Mimi, Gigi, Granny, etc.
  7. Start an advice book for new Grandma.  Purchase a blank journal or notebook and ask guests and friends to offer a piece of advice or more: their favorite baby product, best piece of advice on getting baby to sleep/eat, biggest change they have found in caring for baby since they were young mothers, favorite store to shop for baby, etc.  Adding interesting articles, product reviews, and recipes can also make this book special.
  8. Have the expectant parents send a special message to the new grandparent(s) to share at the shower.
  9. With a small group of friends, spend a day with the expectant Grandma helping to get her home ready for baby, including painting a room, decorating, or child-proofing.
  10. Create a future treasure by videotaping Grandma and/or Grandpa giving a special message to the expectant new grandbaby.  This could be a small clip about how excited they are to meet, or it could be done in an interview style with someone asking Grandma questions.