Have you heard of a Sip & See Party? Or have you been invited to one? If you have no clue what it’s all about, let us fill you in on everything you need to know about this joy-filled event!
A Sip & See is a welcome party for a new baby where the focus is on the new parents and their brand new bundle of joy!
These parties are a great idea for several reasons, including:
- They allow new parents to relax with their family and friends, eat yummy food and drink some bubbly.
- It’s a beautiful way to celebrate the birth of a new baby and allow mum and dad to take a break.
- Mum and dad can choose to show their new baby to a select number of friends and family for the first time.
You might be wondering how this new celebration fits into the picture. With social media helping new ideas take off, we not only have the baby shower but also the baby sprinkle to consider, and now the ‘sip and see’ party as well.
If you’re not sure hosting (or attending) a Sip & See party entails – we come to the rescue with this handy guide! We’ve got you covered from invitations, what gifts to bring, and organising a virtual Sip & See.
Let’s take a look at what this post-baby shindig is all about!
What Is a Sip and See Party for a New Baby?
A close cousin of the traditional baby shower, a Sip & See Party is a great way for parents to show off the newest, tiniest member of their family. This get-together allows the new parents to choose a time to have chosen friends and family come and meet their new bundle of joy.
As guests will be invited at a designated time and venue, it’s a convenient way for tired, sleep-deprived parents to avoid answering the doorbell and entertain a series of well-meaning friends wanting to meet the new baby over several days.
It’s referred to as “sip and see” because the new parents would “sip” wine or light refreshments and “see” the new baby. Other names for a sip and see are “meet the baby” party, but you can get creative with names like “peek and meet” or “bubbly & baby” – depending on what suits your fancy.
Whether from birth or adoption, welcoming an addition to the family is always a reason to celebrate. Unlike other parenting trends such as push presents, a ‘sip and see’ party is suitable for all kinds of new parents – whether they’ve carried a pregnancy or not.
What Can I Expect at a Sip and See?
Unlike baby showers or gender reveals packed with activities and games, Sip & See parties are typically more mellow, casual events – a little wine, finger foods and relaxed conversations are offered at this sort of party.
You can include games in your Sip & See, but it’s generally more “no pressure” than a baby shower.
It’s also good to note that baby showers are generally for pregnant mums. Adoptive mums, however, may not have a chance to have a baby shower (although many adoptive parents still hold their own unique adoption showers) so the Sip & See party is a great alternative.
If you’d rather have a simple, short, and straightforward Sip & See party, you can leave out any games or activities. But if you’d like to spice things up and make things a little more fun, there are a lot of activities you can plan.
For entertainment, contact musicians who provide online shows, or you may have kids who’d like to perform. For refreshments, plan drinks that are easy to prepare and send recipes to guests ahead of time. You can also make the party extra fun by planning outfits or costumes to match your theme.
Struggling to choose a menu? Check out our vegan baby shower guide for some plant-based inspiration.
What Are the Origins of a Sip and See?
We have the Southern Belles of the United States to credit for the origin of Sip & See parties.
However, before new babies became the focal point of a Sip & See, these small, casual events were originally bridal soirees where close friends and family of the new bride would “ooh and aah” over the new bride as she unwraps her wedding presents for everyone to see.
Over the years, the bridal soiree evolved into an intimate celebration for welcoming a new baby. But even though the main focus has shifted from bride to baby, the concept is the same: friends and family can drop by within a pre-set date and time, fuss over the new baby, and enjoy the company of the new parents in a casual setting.
When Should You Do a Sip and See Party?
Baby showers are generally done before the baby is born, while Sip & See parties are usually organised after the baby is born. Ideally, the newborn should be around eight weeks old, and the new parents have had time to adjust to life caring for an infant.
There are no hard and fast rules, but you can wait until the baby is past eight weeks or when you feel ready to interact with new people. Exposure to bacteria and germs should be considered.
As briefly mentioned in the previous section, sip and see parties are also a great alternative for adoptive parents to show off the newest addition to the family.
Despite some key differences, however, both celebrations are generally similar – these are milestone events in a new parent’s and baby’s life, a combination of a family event and a catch-up with close friends.
Do You Host a Sip and See Instead of a Baby Shower?
Now comes the important question – do you do both parties or just one? Well, this all depends on you! The best way to decide is to ask the new parents what they want.
If you’re planning one or both of these parties for a friend – you can definitely plan a baby shower for the pregnant mum-to-be, and if the parents are up for it, plan a Sip & See after birth.
In general, however, if we follow tradition – when a baby shower has already happened, there’s really no need to organise a sip and see anymore. But again, this all depends on personal preference.
The best advice we can give is to find out what the parents think. Some births are traumatic, and mum and dad may not be ready to deal with the stress of planning and hosting a sip and see. However, other parents may be raring for a chance to catch up with friends, show off the baby and have loved ones hold, fuss and care for their new baby.
How Big Should Your Sip & See Party Be?
Usually, Sip & See parties are small, intimate and casual events. However, you can make it as large or as small as you want.
The size of the Sip & See party depends on what the parents are ready to do. Some bigger Sip & See parties are held for parents who, for one reason or another, waited a long time for a baby. In these cases, the happy arrival of the new baby becomes a full-on family event of the season that everyone will want to attend.
In most cases, however, new parents just generally want a small, relaxed gathering.
Can You Throw Your Own Sip and See?
Traditionally, close friends and family members plan and host baby showers. Sip & See parties, however, are a bit flexible. Parents can throw their own Sip & See party, but friends can throw it for them too.
However, having the parents co-host it or at least participate in its planning is beneficial for everyone because:
- The new mum/dad knows when they are ready to show their new baby.
- The new mum/dad will have the best idea regarding who to invite to the Sip & See party.
- The new mum/dad can share their opinion on what activities they’re ready for and what boundaries to set, such as their decision of whether guests can hold the baby or not, etc.
Regarding venue, sip and see parties can be held at a friend’s or family member’s house, but usually, it’s held at the expectant parent’s house.
If you are a parent planning the party, it’s important to enlist the help of a family member. If you’re a friend planning the party, ensure that you coordinate with the parents to ensure everything will go as they like. In any case, it’s best to set up one home area for the actual party, such as the living room or patio.
How Long Does a Sip and See Last?
Sip & See parties typically last no more than an hour or two, but, if preferred, they can definitely last longer.
You can plan an “open house” party where guests can drop by anytime within a set time for the full duration of the day (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, for example), or you can designate a strict set time in the morning or afternoon where all guests can arrive and leave at the same time.
Again, this all depends on the preferences of the new parents. It’s important to ask how they feel about it and determine what they are ready for.
Can You Hold a Virtual Sip and See?
Yes, you definitely can! In light of the COVID-19 restrictions, you may feel it’s not safe to host a face-to-face Sip & See party. So, for everyone’s health and safety, you can opt for a virtual Sip & See party.
Here are a few tips for how to go about it:
- Decide on a theme. The best thing about virtual Sip & See parties is that you can be creative without worrying about decorations. You can set the mood with your theme using custom Zoom or Messenger Room backgrounds. Some theme ideas include English Tea Party, Bubbly & Baby, Rosé et Bébé, etc.
- Choose a virtual venue. The most popular options today are Zoom and Google Hangouts, but you can always opt for Skype or create Facebook Messenger Rooms. However, if you have lovingly designed a beautiful baby nursery, now’s a great time to show it off, set up your virtual Sip & See party at the nursery, and use it as a background.
- Determine the number of guests and how long your virtual sip and see party will be. This is an important point because most free versions of video chat apps only allow a limited time for a limited number of attendees. If you have a premium or paid version, then you usually have no issues. You can do a quick Google search and find all the info you need for your video chat app of choice.
- Create and send detailed e-vites + Google Calendar reminders. You can create e-vites using pre-made templates from Canva. You can also order downloadable invitations online. Whichever way you want to go, ensure it includes all the details. We recommend following it up with a Google Calendar reminder so your guests can receive notifications before the event starts. Don’t forget to include gift details if your guests want to send gifts.
- Make sure you have a co-host. Just in case the baby needs their nap or just wants a cuddle away from the glaring screen, it’s best to buddy up with your partner or a close friend to co-host your virtual sip and see so you can catch up with your guests and still have a lot of fun.
- Don’t forget to record the event! The video recording can serve as a beautiful memento to look back to.
Do You Bring Gifts to a Sip and See?
Traditionally, gifts aren’t expected at a Sip & See party, especially if the new mum’s already had a baby shower.
However, following proper social etiquette, it may feel a tad awkward showing up at a party empty-handed – so, whether you’ve given a gift during a baby shower or not, you can still opt to bring a small gift for the baby or even something for the new parents.
So, if you’ve given a gift during the baby shower, it’s perfectly understandable if you don’t bring anything during the sip and see. The best gift you can give at a sip and see is the gift of time, a helping hand and your presence.
If you’re attending a virtual Sip & See and would like to send a baby gift, having a gift delivered or shipping over a gift you bought shouldn’t be a problem.
Tip for the Sip & See party planner: it’s perfectly acceptable to include gift expectations in your invitation. For example, you can add a small note:
If you’ve given a gift at the baby shower, no need to get us a gift this time!
We appreciate gifts! But we’d love a helping hand instead. Come early and help us set up!
Sip and See Gift Ideas
Finally, let’s take a quick look at some great gift ideas!
The best thing about buying gifts for a sip and see is that you already know a little about the baby – you’ll know its gender and a few other unique things about the baby. The new parents will have a good idea of what they need too.
If you’re still looking for ideas, here are three great baby gifts you can give to welcome a new baby:
Give the gift of a forever Heirloom, this beautiful journal is like no other and simplifies the process of documenting the memories.
140 thought-provoking prompts will bring memories to life as you relive special moments and record them across two hundred delicately-lined pages. If you want it to be personalised please use the code Handcrafted to get the personalisation for FREE.
2. HAYCA The Label Nappy Caddy
A beautiful addition to the nursery or to add to any baby’s travel or beach outing essentials, HAYCA the Label Nappy Caddy offers a stylish, neutral and practical design for storing nappies and other baby essentials.
For parents seeking a comfortable and ergonomic way to carry their little ones, the Ergobaby baby carrier is a top choice. For newborns, a soft wrap-style carrier like the Ergobaby Aura or Embrace may be the best option, while an adjustable carrier with multiple carrying positions, like the Omni 360 or Adapt, may be preferred for older and larger babies.
Related Questions
What Do You Call a Baby Shower After a Baby Is Born?
There’s no official name for a post-baby shower, but, in recent years the “Sip & See” has been a popular phrase. Other names for sip and see are “meet the baby” or “welcome baby” party, as well as “meet and greet”. More creative names include “peek and meet” or “bubbly & baby”.
What Do You Wear to a Sip and See?
Sip & See parties are usually casual affairs. You can most likely wear what you would wear to a baby shower. However, check the invitation. The host may ask you to wear something specific to match the party’s theme. Just remember to wear something comfortable and baby-friendly (no sharp beads or accessories).