People might think this is really horrible of me to feel this way, but it’s the truth: I hate going to showers. Baby showers, wedding showers, no matter what it’s for or who it’s for, I dread going. Not because I don’t want to shower my loved one with love and support, but because there are so many things I can’t stand about the shower itself. They can be really awkward if you don’t know many people there, you have to play really stupid games, they last for hours and hours, and I could go on, but I think you get the idea. After attending many wedding and baby showers over the years for friends and family, I have learned a few tricks that can help you survive those showers. Here are 5 things you can try next time you attend a shower for a loved one.
1. Go With Someone
If you know someone else that was invited to the baby shower, be sure to go with them so that when you show up you’re not left awkwardly talking to aunts, grandmas, and friends that you’ve never met. This can perhaps be one of the most awkward parts of attending a shower. However, if you show up with someone, you automatically have someone to walk around with and talk to. You won’t look like the loner that doesn’t know anyone and you won’t feel awkward talking to strangers when you have someone else there to make conversation easier.
2. Show Up Fashionably Late
One of my biggest secrets to surviving any kind of shower is to show up a little late. I’m not talking so late that you miss the shower, but late enough that you miss the awkward first 10 to 15 minutes or so where people are still showing up and the hostess is waiting to start until most people get there. This is an especially great trick if you don’t have anyone to go with and know that you won’t really know anyone else at the shower. The hope is that by the time you get there they’ll be ready to start the shower and you can completely skip the awkward small talk with strangers.
3. Help Yourself To The Alcohol
If you’re lucky enough to attend a shower where alcohol is served, don’t be shy. Take advantage of the alcohol. Obviously, I’m not recommending that you get drunk and end up being the biggest embarrassment to your loved one, but sipping on a drink will help you to relax and be more comfortable in a potentially awkward situation.
4. Eat!
One of the best things about showers is that there is usually some really good food for the guests. Never, ever show up to a shower with a full stomach. Not only is it fun to taste all the food, but it also gives you something to do if you don’t really know people or aren’t interested in the game they’re playing. It occupies your time and makes you look busy even when you’re really not. You can kind of find your own little corner to hide in while you enjoy your food.
5. Have A Reason To Leave Early
Perhaps my biggest problem with wedding and baby showers is that they seem to last forever! I mean, seriously, why do they have to go so long? It’s not that I don’t want to support and spoil my loved one, but I have a life, too, with errands to run, a house to clean, and family to spend time with and I don’t want to spend 3 or more hours on my weekend at a shower. I always make sure that I have a good reason to leave whether it’s “I need to get my son from the sitter,” or “I have another engagement I need to go to.” No one needs to know that you’re really leaving because you don’t want to spend your whole day at the shower.