How far along before people normally plan baby showers?We have to wait till after October 31st, which would put her at somewhere between 6 and 7 months but I want the shower to be distinct from Christmas and such. So would November be better or January closer to her due date? I've never had the pleasure of planning a shower before and I'm wicked excited.

I tried to plan a shower for 2 weeks before my due date with my son, I ended up going into early labor 3 weeks before hand, and never had one. With my girl, my husbands family conflicts (the nice way to say it), so never had one for the girl either. I want to share someones shower. :(

I would say when is her due date? Many plan it after the baby arrives, 1-2 months down the road, just so the parents can get used to things and settled in. I think that is the safest bet, then you can get things that they may have not thought to purchase on their own. :)

I have been to showers were the mom was only about 6mos along, to showers where the baby was about 6mos old.

I think the best time to have it is when you can get as many of that group of friends or family together.

I personally have had all of mine AFTER the baby was born and really like it that way, since then everyone gets to pass the lil one around.

I think showers after the baby is born is better than before. Because after you will find out what you do need and give hints to those coming to the shower.

Anything they don't buy her parents will end up getting, as they spoil her beyond belief. her mom and dad are divorced which only makes it easier to get stuff since they normally each get her quite a bit on holidays. She just turned 27 and they spent 2k out of 3k of her last car purchase (insurance check covered the rest) and she only has to help pay back 1k of it, at 50 a month. They pay her insurance for it, and help with grocery money when she's short since she only works 20hrs a week (3 days).

She has already said she expects them to buy the crib, changing table, car seats, play pen, stroller, etc so she can buy the fun stuff like clothes and toys. The shower is more of a consolation prize for hiding she's pregnant for almost the first half of the pregnancy. She's due in February supposedly, but I'm betting more on Jan since it would have to be the first week of Feb if she carries full term and my math skills tell me January not February based on when she was 20 weeks.

If I may ask first of all, why is it called a shower in the first place? There is no actual showering involved - it's just a bunch of people getting together and the mother receiving gifts for the baby/babies - right?