Oh and for those who don't know (because I just discovered) if you are on the app- you usually can't see the entire options on the polls. But you can see it if you turn your phone sideways! :)

There is no right way - more what would be preferred by the soon to be mom. She may have a male best friend who would love to attend; as well showers don't have to be run in the traditional way either, so the males guests/husband can enjoy being there as well.

When my husband's best friend was having a baby with his wife, they invited everyone - the men, the women, the kids. His next friend did the same thing and it started a trend among all of them (there are now 4 kids in the friend circle). So now once we'll be having our first I won't even really have a choice, if we don't invite the guys they'll probably feel that we're leaving them out. The thing is, I always really wanted a traditional all-girl baby shower and I would still have one if I felt that it was still important to me, but when I really got to thinking about it I felt that baby showers shouldn't be a thing that's solely for the mother. You have a party where you celebrate the impending addition to your family, a baby that both husband and wife created, an addition to a family that consists of both husband and wife, you receive presents - the baby stuff that both of you are going to use.... so sure the mother will be the center of attention no matter what, as she should rightfully be, but I think it's also the father's day and he and his friends should have the right to be there and celebrate too (if they want to, there are men who feel that it's "girly" and they don't even want to be around, so good riddance to them). Ultimately though, whether your mindset is "the more the merrier" or "I just want to have an intimate circle of other mothers" it's completely up to you. That's the thing with traditions - you can either continue them or just create new ones!

My personal preference is for the traditional, ladies-only baby shower. But the party giver will know the mom-to-be enough to know what she'd like -- and since fewer showers are surprises, has probably talked to her about which direction to take it. Frankly I can't name any men I know who I think would say "gee, I hope I can go to Susie's baby shower!" But YMMV!

You need an "Other" section! I have been to so many baby showers over the years that I have lost count. When I was young and until just a few years ago, all of the baby showers were attended by women only. Now that I'm 60, there have been a few where the husband or significant other have shown up. I have no problem either way!

Friends threw a shower for me 23 years ago, and there were just as many men there as there women. It's a celebration for the father too, and it was also nice to have my male friends there.

Ask the Father if he wants to be there first. If he does them include men, if not don't. Some Fathers feel awkward and uncomfortable at these things. Others love the whole idea. It's a personal thing.

If there's not enough space there could be two, one for each gender, so mums could give advice to Mums and Dads could give advice to new Dads.

TT, I like that. Fun idea.

Equality.

Aw, why should the dads miss out on all the fun and cute stuff for their soon to be little one! Everyone likes a good party;)

Why put them through the torture? Most men would be relieved to be left out.....just saying.

@Sophie finally someone that gets it. I Hate shower games. When I have been so 'honored' as to plan a shower I don't use them. We eat good food, visit and catch up on life. Men or women are allowed because we're all old friends. That being said the traditional baby shower makes me want to hide under a sofa somewhere.

i think if you are a bit hard up for money a shower is very much appreciated, games and all. if you can just go out and buy it all yourself then the shower format appeals less.

30 years ago: my first child was due only 6 months after a longish move away from everyone i knew. so the women of my old church gave me a 'backwards shower'. they all brought their gifts, unwrapped, to the church hall and enjoyed seeing them, played games, ate food, wrapped the gifts and packed them in a box along with polaroid photos (remember them?) of the event, along with a piece of cake. mailed the big box to me at my new house far away. my husband took pics of me opening every present, eating the (slightly stale) cake, and i mailed the photos back to my church group.

i will cherish those women forever, even tho i didnt get to play the games with them myself.

That's a lovely story, nnigrt.

@nnigrt. I'm never against giving the new baby and Mum gifts. Lots of them in fact. I love everything about babies. I'm for cake even the slightly stale kind. That act of kindness is rare and dear.

Most men would gladly pass.

Ohhhh, BahHumbug:( ..... Lovely story Nnigrt:)

It depends on what kind of atmosphere you want. If you want a girly tea party type baby shower then I could see how men might not be included. However, I had a laid back house bbq afternoon party and invited everyone. I didn't have any stupid baby shower games either. It was more like a party with baby presents involved. Exactly what I wanted.

I have been to large fancy showers and small humble affairs; but in the end it isn't about me and whether I like it or not. I think I can give up a couple hours of my time to honor the most important event in a couples life.

I know of no man who, given the choice, would want to go to a baby shower.

I am betting Sophie Wheeler is male. What do you say, Sophie?

Are you betting money, or candy?

The men I work with hate hate hate baby showers and only go because they have to (meaning their wives or girlfriends expect them to). In the office they moan and groan about being forced to go to these events. The would love to NOT be invited.

Sweeping generalizations about how women and men feel about baby showers are sexist and dumb. My husband and his college friends started a running list of "dad jokes" as soon as the first pregnancy was announced, researched every baby product to death, helped each other refinish furniture and remodel nurseries, and in every way were as excited as we wives were.

More and more moms-to-be want their partners involved in all the fanfare of pregnancy including the showers. If the dad is going to be at the shower, he would prefer a few other guys there, too. A diaper shower is a fantastic theme that doesn't make the guys in attendance feel out of place. It makes the gift shopping easy and pain-free for them and it is super helpful for the expecting couple to stock up on diapers of all sizes. This also skips an hour of sitting and watching gifts be unwrapped (save that for a girls only affair). Be sure to have food and drinks that create a relaxed feel - skip the finger sandwiches and canapés. Ask the mom-to-be what she's been craving and go from there.

Feel free to message me with any other party-related questions at hello@lifewithstyle.co and check out my blog lifewithstyle.co

If you'd like to flow along as I share more insights and inspirations about home decor and entertaining at home, message me with, "I'm in!"

I definitely prefer the co-ed showers ... I just think of them as parties with presents. I am definitely not into the ladies-only theme affairs with silly games and tea sandwiches.

Coed showers?

Baby Dads