Sip And See Party: Useful Tips For Organizing The Post-natal Party

The coronavirus pandemic has forced many families to rethink or postpone their baby showers. However, after the birth, everyone is eager to meet the little cabbage. That's why more and more young parents are embracing the sip and see party trend that came to us from the United States. Literally translated, the phrase means "to sip and see" and the tradition is to invite friends and relatives over for a light drink and to say welcome to the baby. The main idea is to welcome all the guests at the same time so as not to spread the visits over weeks or months. How to organize a sip and see, find our tips below!

What is a sip and see party?

Simply put, the sip and see party can be described as an intimate get-together or an open house (depending on preference), usually hosted by the new mom or new parents, to give family and friends the opportunity to meet or "see" their baby. Instead of taking place before the baby arrives (like the baby shower), this event takes place after childbirth (or adoption). In short, it's a post-facto celebration to reunite loved ones and good, to sip light drinks (tea, coffee, punch, etc.) - all alcohol-free for mom to enjoy too. The concept is gaining popularity in recent times, especially among parents who haven't had a baby shower for various reasons.

As mentioned before, it's a kind of open house: guests can come and go within the appointed visiting hours, coo to the baby, meet up with the parents and enjoy a few snacks. The aim is to celebrate the arrival of the little one in an informal way, so it's ideal for those who don't necessarily like the idea of a baby shower. Best of all, how the party goes is completely up to you. Don't want games? Prefer a buffet to a five-course brunch menu? You have all the freedom!

Why are new parents throwing this party?

Indeed, family members can visit the hospital or the parents' home to see the baby. But for others, we can organize a special meeting, which has certain advantages. For example, by setting a date, one can avoid unexpected visits at random times. This will give the mom time and space to recover from childbirth and bond with her child.

In addition, newborns do not have a well-developed immune system. Logically, it is good to keep the little one away from frequent visitors. Since a sip and see is organized after the baby is old enough, the risk of infection is lower.

When to plan a sip and see party?

If you prefer the sip and see to the traditional baby shower, you can start planning during pregnancy but wait until the birth to set a date. First and foremost, if the mom has recently given birth, you should first make sure that she feels ready to have guests - this can take several weeks to several months after giving birth.

Who should organize the event?

These parties are usually held in the parents' house and are organized by themselves, but they can also be planned by a close friend or family member. Where to meet depends on what's best for the new mom.

If it is the mother of the infant who takes care of the organization, it is advisable that she configure a special area in the living room or on the terrace for example. If needed, she can ask a friend or family member to help coordinate. Also, the celebration has a rather short duration - about an hour or two to avoid inconvenience to the parents of the baby.

Should you bring gifts if you are invited to a sip and see?

Do you feel uncomfortable going with empty hands? It is indeed a wonderful opportunity to bring a gift. Since you know the gender and name of the little one, you can easily customize it. A baby book, a bib, a photo album, a teething ring with the infant's initials, a gift basket full of baby toiletries, a monogrammed blanket or a gift for the new mom are always well accepted..

Which people to invite to the party?

In short, it really depends. If you're hosting your own celebration, don't hesitate to invite anyone you want! Some couples prefer a mixed party, while other new moms only want to invite friends and relatives. If someone else is hosting the event, it is important to ask the parents who they would like to host there.

How to organize a Sip and See?

Details to consider when planning:

Timeframe: When writing the invitations, be sure to be specific about when people can arrive and when the party ends. Note, the timing of the visit should not disrupt the baby's sleep schedule. In addition, limit the duration to a maximum of two hours.

Location: It is good to organize the party at your place as you will have everything you need at hand. If this is not possible, book a place as close to your house as possible.

Decorations: Don't overdo the decorations - ultimately, the guests are there to see the baby. However, you can get creative and cut animal shapes and stars out of cardboard. Have guests write their best wishes on each piece. Tie them together to create a crib mobile.

Refreshments: Serve appetizers, such as small sandwiches and cookies, and some drinks. While it is up to you whether or not to serve alcohol, keep in mind that many people like to celebrate such joyous events with champagne.

Games and Entertainment: Note that most people attending a sip and see party prefer to spend their time holding the baby rather than playing games. Since your friends and relatives are there to see the little one, there is no need to worry about conversation triggers. If however you're interested in games, they would be a perfectly acceptable addition to your party.

Hygiene: Ask your guests to wash their hands before touching the baby. Also keep a disinfectant on the side. And of course, if you have a cold or cough, avoid attending the party!

Theme ideas for a sip and see party

Even though it is not mandatory to set a theme for your celebration, we give you some cute ideas:

1. A Star is Born: Hang gold and silver stars around the room and bake star shaped cookies.

2. Baby is sweeter than sugar: Use colorful, festive decorations around a dessert table loaded with a variety of sweet treats and small framed photos of the new addition to your family.

3. Message in a Bottle: Place a large bottle, slips of paper and pens near the front door. Encourage each guest to write a few notes about their first experience with the baby. It is something that you and your child will be able to read together for years to come.

4. In the spotlight: Take pictures of everyone when it's their turn to hold the baby. You can email them the images after the event and create a collage or a memory book.

The guest list

You can invite both women and men - close friends and grandparents are preferred. However, you can also send invitations to neighbors, coworkers and others.

Invitations

Once you have set the date, time, location, and guest list for the baby shower, prepare the invitations. Since it's less formal than a baby shower, they can be simple and sent to recipients a few weeks before D-Day.

Drink and snack ideas

Bearing in mind that these events are shorter, it is not necessary to prepare a full catering menu. Refreshments are generally light and it's handy to have a few glasses of drinks to toast. You can serve a few cheese or fruit platters, a spread, crackers, cold cuts, muffins, sandwiches, chips and dips, cookies, chicken wings, etc., which will delight the taste buds. tastes of the guests. Of course, if you want to come up with an elaborate menu, you can.

In addition, spread the good news of the arrival of your baby with some desserts. The center of attraction is the candy bar. Fill it with macaroons, candy, anything sweet.

Traditionally, coffee or tea is served to guests but you can also add champagne, beer or wine to the list depending on your preference. You can also prepare a punch, non-alcoholic cocktails and fruit juices for the children present.

Decorating ideas

It's easy to succumb to the gorgeous decorations on Pinterest but in this situation it's best to keep it simple, at least to minimize prep and cleanup. Beautiful, fresh flowers and a stylized area are the ways to brighten up a room.

If you have the time (and the energy), you can certainly go for a more splendid setting. You do not know where to start ? Pick a theme - seaside, jungle, Peppa pig, flamingo, etc. (By the way, if the last idea is fine with you, check out our article on how to make the flamingo cake!) Regardless of the color scheme, oversized baby name balloons are always a simple but fun statement.