How to Host a Sip and See

Have you ever thrown or attended a Sip and See? I shared on Tuesday that I hosted one at our home last weekend (our first “formal” event in our new home – yay!), and it was such a fun morning! (I tried to take a few pictures, but we were so busy with sipping drinks, chatting, and loving on perfect baby Carson that taking pictures unfortunately fell to the wayside!)

Several guests commented that they scratched their heads when they received the invitation because they’d never heard of a Sip and See before but that the idea was actually quite enjoyable and practical. I couldn’t agree more! Babies, bubbly, and good company – sounds like the perfect list of ingredient for a sweet time!

What is a Sip and See?

I’ve hosted a few of these events in the past, and each time I’m reminded why they’re some of my favorite to put together. A Sip and See is a spin-off of a traditional baby shower, except it takes place after the baby is born. A mom will attend the event with her new baby at a pre-selected time that she’s comfortable introducing her baby to others (obviously this will vary for every mom), and she’ll chat with and introduce her new baby to lots of friends and family (some who may have already met the baby and others who haven’t).

Reasons/Perks to Hosting a Sip and See

1. Often mimosas or some kind of “grown up” drink is served, and the mama can actually enjoy a beverage if she chooses.
2. It’s very casual and purely focused on loved ones meeting and loving on the new baby, giving the mom a couple hours to chat and relax (often for the first time since coming home from the hospital, which is so refreshing).
3. Sip and Sees are generally a popular idea for a 2nd or 3rd+ baby, especially if the mom is having a baby that’s the same gender she already has (i.e. doesn’t need a load of new baby gear).
4. If you’re one that doesn’t like to have a zillion visitors after you come home from the hospital but still want to be polite, this is a tactful way to say “My friend is hosting a Sip and See next weekend for me, so I’m excited to see you then, if you can make it!”

How to Host a Sip and See

1. Pick a date with the expecting mom that she’s comfortable having a bunch of hands all holding and loving on her baby at once. My friend picked 12 days after her scheduled c-section. She knew this would be enough time to recover at home and gear up for putting on “real” clothes and make-up. I threw a Sip and See last year for a mom who was waiting to go into labor on her own with her third baby, so we scheduled it for three weeks after her due date (in case she went one week overdue.)
2. Create and send invitations, either Evite or physical (I always prefer physical because I feel like it sets a tone, but that’s just a personal preference!)
3. Create the menu. We did a brunch for this most recent Sip and See, so our menu consisted of mimosas, sweet tea, fruit-infused water, homemade orange rolls, a breakfast casserole, Chick-fil-a minis, fruit, and mini cupcakes. Simple but so darn delicious!
4. Think flowers + food + conversation. That’s it. No games, no over-the-top decor. Just time for loved ones to give big hugs, hold a baby, grab some food and a drink, and then skedaddle.
5. Allow the “mom of honor” to open gifts at her leisure. Gifts typically include things like boxes of diapers, wipes, new outfits, etc.
6. Finally, make sure to note on the invitation that this is a “come and go” event. This lends itself to a laid-back atmosphere that is a so great (and necessary) for a mom and her brand new babe.
7. Oh, and have some hand sanitizer easy assessable. 🙂

Let’s chat!

Have you ever thrown, received, or attended a Sip and See?