When Do I Have My Baby Shower?? Before OR After the baby is

Hey Everyone!
Lately I have been stressing out over when to have my baby shower! I want to have it the end of October, and I am due the end of January, so before the baby gets here. This way I will have everything ready once my little sweetheart is finally here. BUT, when I tell people this, they act like I am doing something abnormal, and that I should have it AFTER the birth so people can see the baby. I know what I want to do, but I dont want to seem weird when I do it. Is it strange to have it before, or are these people just a little too old fashioned??
Any personal advice and stories would be very helpful!  

Are you waiting til the baby is born to find out what you are having or do you just not know yet?

Either before or after is completely accepable. My baby shower was before she was born at about 6 or 7 months along. My friend who didn't find outthe sex ofthe baby waited and had a shower after the baby was here.
At mine I had fun sharing my U/S pics and monthly belly pics, then after my baby was born I sent out announcement cards with a pic of her included.

Quoting {Borderline Reckless}:“ Are you waiting til the baby is born to find out what you are having or do you just not know yet?”

I am much to curious to wait! I am finding out the sex in 3 weeks.

Quoting sammyjeanbean:“ Either before or after is completely accepable. My baby shower was before she was born at about 6 or ... [snip!] ... my U/S pics and monthly belly pics, then after my baby was born I sent out announcement cards with a pic of her included.”

Thats actually what I was thinking about doing! I want to make like a picture wall of belly pics and all the ultrasound pics. Glad to know this is acceptable! Thank you, my stress level has gone down already! Just wondering, how long after the birth did you wait to send out announcement cards?

i had a welcome home party for both of my preemies they were in the hospital for awhile since they were so small at birth and i didnt like it cause they were newborn
everybody wanted to be in their face and kissing on them and they kept being transfered from everyone hands it was just uncomfortable for me..

I had people thinking I was strange for wanting mine before....but I got it before.

Also, I don't really like the idea of taking my baby to the shower and having all kinds of germy hands and kisses on her at such a young age.

Quoting KristyRose:“ I had people thinking I was strange for wanting mine before....but I got it before. Also, I don't really ... [snip!] ... really like the idea of taking my baby to the shower and having all kinds of germy hands and kisses on her at such a young age.”

   

I feel the same about passing around a little newborn with little to no immune system to a bunch of germy people. Thats another good reason why I dont want to do it after the birth! Thanks everyone for your replies!

i'm having my baby shower after. Mine were preemies so they came before my planned baby shower date, but I'm having one at the end of the month & I really don't like the idea of people passing them around and all in their faces.....If someone kisses them I'm going off...Only I can kiss them lol, but you should do it before so your baby doesn't get sick just incase someone doesn't pay attention to (if you have any up) the "newborn inside WASH YOUR HANDS".

Nobody really mentioned the gift situation. I know its not about the gifts, but if you have the shower after then you'll have to have everything you need for baby before the shower, so the only gifts you'll get is clothes, blankets and stuffed animals!
I still have one shower comming up next week and I don't need anything, so its hard for people to shop for gifts and its hard for me to tell them what I need! Do it before!

mines today!!

So now I have another baby shower issue! lol
My mom is having it for me, and she lives out of town. So she wants to do it Oct 11 so we can have Thanksgiving there as well (I'm Canadian). BUT, isnt this too soon??? I will only be 6 months pregnant. Opinions please!!  

Quoting GavinMaxsMommy:“ mines today!!”

Awww fun!! Do you have any info youd like to share regarding the prizes (if any) and what you used for decorations. Also, the # of people you invited.
Hope your having a fun shower!

Quoting MandiJo:“ Nobody really mentioned the gift situation. I know its not about the gifts, but if you have the shower ... [snip!] ... and I don't need anything, so its hard for people to shop for gifts and its hard for me to tell them what I need! Do it before!”

Thanks for the tip!! You have so many good points I can tell other people when they think i'm crazy!! lol