You’ve received an invitation to a baby shower, but under the event details, you notice the phrase “No Wrap.” What does a “No Wrap” baby shower mean? Let’s explore this growing trend and offer tips on how to navigate it as a guest.
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Related Posts:
– Baby Shower Games
– Baby Shower Themes
– Baby Shower Gift Guide
Baby Shower Basics
What is a baby shower?
Let’s start by explaining what a baby shower is and why it’s traditionally celebrated. Or feel free to jump down to All About “No Wrap” Baby Showers.
When a person or couple is expecting a child, often times there is a gathering of friends and family prior to the cherub’s arrival. The purpose of the celebration is to “shower” the parent(s)-to-be with love, support, and practical gifts for the baby—hence the name baby shower!
Someone close to the parent(s) may offer to host the celebration, however this type of event can also be self-hosted. There is usually food and drinks provided by the host, along with some light entertainment like games. A small party favor can be offered to each guest upon departure, however this isn’t mandatory.
Baby Shower Games
Baby shower games are a fun, low-pressure way to get guests involved and help break the ice—especially for those who may not know each other. The host should plan on providing small prizes, like candles, wine, gift cards, or gourmet treats. Below are a few favorite baby shower games. View complete list here: Baby Shower Games.
My Favorite Baby Shower Games:
– Don’t Say Baby: Each guest receives a token (like a clothespin) when they arrive. If someone hears another guest say “baby,” they take their token. If caught, you forfeit all your collected tokens. You can get back in the game by catching someone else. The person with the most tokens at the end wins.
– Diaper Raffle: Mention the diaper raffle in your invitations. Any guest who brings diapers or wipes is entered into a drawing for a prize. (Pro tip: bring various sizes, not just newborn!)
– Baby Brain Memory Game: A tray with baby-related items is shown to guests for 10 seconds. Afterward, the tray is hidden and everyone writes down what they remember. The guest who lists the most correct items wins. Bonus: the tray can double as a gift for the parents-to-be!
– Guess The Bump: Guests cut a piece of string to match what they think is the circumference of the mom-to-be’s belly. After everyone guesses, she measures her belly and compares it to each string. The closest match wins. (Link to Measuring Tape Ribbon)
Baby Shower Agenda
As guests arrive, both the host and guest-of-honor should be ready to greet everyone and spend a few moments chatting. Once most of the guests have arrived—and perhaps started enjoying a few casual games set up around the room—a light meal or refreshments can be served.
Afterward, as people finish eating, it’s a great time to hand out some of the “pen and paper” style games to keep the energy flowing. Next, the party typically transitions either into more interactive games or the opening of gifts. To keep guests engaged during gift opening, a popular option is to play “Baby Shower Bingo,” where guests mark off items on their cards as they’re unwrapped.
This is where “no wrap” baby showers differ. More on this below!
Toward the end of the event, any remaining games can be played, and winners of the ongoing activities—like “Don’t Say Baby”—will be announced. As prizes are handed out, guests will naturally begin to say their goodbyes and head out.
All About “No Wrap” Baby Showers
What is a No Wrap Baby Shower?
A “No Wrap” Baby Shower, also referred to as an unwrapped baby shower, is a type of celebration where guests are asked not to wrap their gifts. Instead of bringing gifts in traditional wrapping paper, they might bring them unwrapped, in a reusable tote, or with just a bow or tag.
Why do people choose a No Wrap Baby Shower?
There are many reasons for electing to have a “No Wrap” Baby Shower. A big reason many people go this route is because it’s eco-friendly. By not using wrapping paper, tape and ribbons on gifts, everyone can reduce waste and their carbon footprint.
Another reason for “no wrap” is the time-saving at the baby shower. With all the gifts on display and already unwrapped, there is more time for socializing or activities. It is low-pressure on the guest-of-honor as gifts aren’t opened in front of everyone. Instead, they can share a private heartfelt thank-you moment with each guest as the gift is given.
What should guests do?
If you have RSVP’d yes to a “No Wrap” Baby Shower. please follow the host’s request. Bring the gift unwrapped, or simply add a ribbon or card. Try not to overthink the request. However, if you feel awkward arriving with an unwrapped gift, instead consider cute presentation! Some guests bring gifts in cute baskets, totes, or even fabric wraps that can be reused. See the below gift guide for more ideas.
No Wrap Baby Shower Gift Guide
Again, the goal of this trend is for guests to bring unwrapped gifts to the baby shower. Below are a handful of ideas to help with curating a gift for this happy celebration.
– Diaper or Romper Cake: Roll diapers or rompers into cylinders, then arrange them together is circles. Secure each circle with a ribbon. Stack the circles to create “tiers” of your cake.
– Diaper Bag Gift Basket: Fill the diaper bag with useful items and use the bag as the wrapping.
– Reusable Tote Gift Bag: Instead of a paper gift bag, use a jute tote or other reusable bag to house your gift.
– Traditional Gift Basket: Consider giving a gift inside a basket, like the rope basket pictured below, instead of inside a gift bag or wrapping paper.
– Diaper Caddy Gift Basket: Similar to the diaper bag gift basket, more details below!
Diaper Caddy Gift Basket Details
– PeraBella Diaper Caddy
– Momcozy Bamboo Fiber Disposable Nursing Pads
– Wipes (Costco)
– Muslin Burp Cloths
– Little Remedies Gripe Water
– Little Remedies Sterile Saline Nasal Mist
– Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment
– Board Book: You Are My Happy
– Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain Treater Spray
– Boobie Bar Superfood Lactation Bars
– Activity Toy: Guess How Much I Love You
Most homemakers and parents will agree, baskets are incredibly helpful! Annabelle, a fellow mom with the blog “Hello Honeycomb“, mentions in this post how baskets help her everyday life. “I use baskets and bins for books, outside toys, art supplies, play dough, car toys, clothing.” – Annabelle.
Baby Shower Registry Ideas
My Top 15 Favorite Baby Items (Newborn through 1-month old)
Conclusion
I hope there is something you were able to take away from this post on No Wrap Baby Showers. Remember to Pin this post for when you are ready for next steps.
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Love this so much! I wish I’d known about a “No wrap” baby shower for my oldest. The more practical the gift for baby, the better in my opinion! 🙂
Agreed! And I like that the unwrapped gift basket, or gift giving vessel, doubles as an additional useful item. Less waste, more practicality!
I love this idea! I feel like people would get practical things + save money by not purchasing wrapping paper or gift bags.
Right?! As someone who loves to wrap presents, I cannot believe how much it costs these days.
This is very interesting, I’d never heard of a no wrap baby shower before, but I love the idea of using reusable containers and cute baskets instead of wrapping paper!
Same! I didn’t know there was a phrase for this type of gift-giving until this year. My sister always gifts the baby registry diaper bag, tops it with a simple bow & fills it with postpartum items for mom-to-be. Now I can say she’s an original “no wrap” baby shower gift giver!
Hey, what a great idea! Never heard of a no-wrap shower. But I sure love the idea of gifting things in useful containers or wraps. I always hate the waste when unwrapping gifts and seeing bags full of paper just heaped up in a corner after. It was pretty for a moment, but it’s kind of a waste of money and resources, and wrapping with something useful can be just as beautiful and more creative. My vote goes to no-wrap! 😁
What a great idea Jenni!
I love this idea! It’s so much more practical and thoughtful 🙂
Love this idea! So simple, thoughtful, and way less waste, (and probably less stress!!) & totally my style:)
Didn’t know this was a thing. Good to know!