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Welcome your new arrival with a sweet, memorable celebration
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Instead of friends and family meeting your new baby over weeks or months, you can hold a sip and see to let everyone visit your little one at once. Originating in the Southern US, sip and see parties are informal get-togethers that allow guests to sip on refreshments and see a new baby. Whether you’re wondering how to host a sip and see, unsure what the etiquette is when attending, or looking for inspiration for your party, you’ve come to the right place! We even spoke to event stylist Lisa Maciel for a few tips to make your party picture-perfect.
Sip and See Parties: Quick Overview
- A sip and see party is an alternative or addition to a baby shower. At this casual event, guests can enjoy refreshments and meet your new baby.
- A sip and see party takes place after the baby is born and the new parents have established a routine—usually, when the baby is 3-6 months old.
- Sip and sees are usually only 2 hours long to avoid overwhelming the new parents and baby. Usually, gifts aren’t expected.
Steps
Section 2 of 5:
How to Host a Sip and See Party
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Decide on a host and theme. Parents often host their own sip and see so they don’t have to travel with their new baby—and so the baby can meet new people in a familiar environment. Once you’ve chosen a host, decide on a cute theme—that will guide you through which invitations, food, beverages, and decorations to get for your sip and see.
- If you’d like a close family member or friend to throw your party , that’s totally fine. You’ll have less to stress about in terms of set-up and clean-up, so you can focus on your baby’s comfort. [7] X Research source
- Theme ideas include travel, children’s books, bees, and animals. See more theme ideas and suggestions below!
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Send out invitations. Because a sip and see party is a casual gathering, an e-vite (digital invitation) is acceptable. Use an e-vite service that tracks RSVPs, such as Facebook’s event invite system, so you can plan accordingly when buying refreshments. If you’d like to send out physical invitations, consider featuring a photo of your new bundle of joy. [8] X Research source
- Include the occasion, the date, the time (start and end, taking into account the baby’s nap times), the location, and RSVP contact info on your invitations. [9] X Research source You can also politely request that guests don’t bring gifts. When it comes to dress codes, you can specify more formal attire—just keep in mind that guests who hold your baby risk getting their clothes soiled. [10] X Research source
- Match invitations to your theme with the help of a template. Sites like Canva and Adobe Express feature free, easy-to-customize invitation templates around many sip and see party themes—just search “[theme] party invite” to find the best one for your event.
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Coordinate set-up and clean-up. If someone else is hosting for you, this shouldn’t be necessary. But if you’re the host, make sure you have a plan for set-up and clean-up—whether that means simplifying the décor so it’s easy to take down, or asking a family member or friend to help you put it all together. [11] X Research source
- Allow yourself enough time to purchase or order any decorations. Maciel suggests you start by making a Pinterest board with inspirational ideas for décor. Then, you can “go shopping at regular party stores like Party City [or] Amazon” to pick up supplies. Keep in mind the size of the space where you’re holding the sip and see party so you fill the space, but don’t clutter it.
- Wondering what to decorate with? "Balloon garlands, backdrops, and props” are popular choices for outdoor parties," says Maciel. You can order them on Amazon to set up yourself—or, use a party rental service that will provide decor and handle set-up and take-down.
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Let guests know your rules about holding the baby. This could be as simple as putting up signage asking guests to use hand-sanitizer before holding your new baby. You can also politely let guests know if you’d rather not have anyone hold or kiss your baby to avoid germs. [12] X Research source Getting to see and celebrate the little one is already a treat.
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Relax and have fun. A sip and see is a casual, fun event celebrating your new arrival. Because there are fewer guests and less elaborate decorations and refreshments than at a baby shower or baby sprinkle, the focus can be on your baby. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself during the event—mingle, sample refreshments, and take pictures if you’d like!
- Use a Polaroid camera in addition to taking pictures on your phone or Canon. You can save the pictures in your baby’s scrapbook so they can see their first party when they’re older.
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