Having a baby is one of the happiest moments in the life of every woman and family, and it is worth sharing this happiness with loved ones. Unlike baby showers, which are usually arranged before the birth of the baby, a sip-and-see party is an excellent way of presenting the newborn to his/her relatives after the birth. Here, you will be able to learn about what a sip-and-see party is, how you can organize one, and why sip-and-see invitations are important to create the right feel for the occasion.

What is a Sip and See Party?

A sip-and-see party is an informal event where people are offered drinks and come to see the newborn child. While a baby shower is usually a party that takes place before the birth of the child and is centered on the gifts, a sip-and-see is more of a gathering where people get to know the new baby and spend time with him in a friendly manner.

Why Choose a Sip and See?

  • Post-Birth Celebration: It is done sometime after the birth of the baby when the parents are still fresh and have not yet adjusted to the new task of parenting.
  • Casual Atmosphere: Sip-and-see parties are usually relaxed and not very rigid, making it easy for the parents and the guests to have fun.
  • Flexible Timing: You can decide on the date and time of the baby’s baptism after birth, sometimes after two weeks or two months, among other things.

Planning a Sip and See Party

Planning a sip-and-see party can be a fun and stress-free experience if you follow these simple steps:

1. Choose a Date and Time

Choose the date and time that will be convenient for you and your family members. Remember the baby’s schedule and select the time when the baby is not sleeping or is likely to be fussy. Weekend afternoons are usually preferred because guests can come over at any time, and it is not too formal.

2. Decide a Guest List

Make a list of family and friends you would like to invite to the wedding. Sip-and-see parties are generally less formal, which means that you can invite as many or as few guests as you like. When drawing the guest list, it is also important to consider the available space in your house or the venue you have in mind.

3. Select a Venue

Sip-and-see parties are usually hosted at the home of the new parents, although this is not a rule and can be hosted elsewhere if preferred. A backyard, a community center, or a park can be a good choice if you are inviting more people or if you want to organize an outdoor event.

4. Choose a Theme

Although not mandatory, having a theme for the sip-and-see party can just spice it up a little. Some popular themes include:

  • Baby Animals: Adorn with cute animal prints and serve animal-related foods.
  • Tea Party: Prepare different types of tea and snacks for a tea party to create an authentic atmosphere.
  • Garden Party: Use flowers and plants for the interior design to give it a more natural look.

5. Plan the Menu

The ‘sip’ in the sip-and-see party can be any drink that is safe for the baby: tea, coffee, lemonade, or even champagne for a toast. For the “see” part, one should consider having light foods such as small finger foods or any food that a guest can handle as they move from one person to the other. Some ideas include:

  • Mini sandwiches
  • Fruit and cheese platters
  • Cupcakes or cookies
  • Veggie trays with dips

6. Prepare the Space

Catering for the guests’ comfort is essential; therefore, the seating and decorations should be well organized. Ensure that there is a specific section where people can go and meet the baby, and if people would like to bring something for the baby, there should be a section for gifts.

Related: The Etiquette of Having Second Baby Shower Ideas

Sip and See Invitations: Setting the Tone

The invitations you send for your sip-and-see party are as important as the rest of the preparations since they set the tone of the event and prepare your guests for it. Here are some tips for creating the perfect sip-and-see invitations:

1. Choose the Right Design

Choose a design that you think will suit the theme or mood of the party you are planning. You can easily download invitation templates from the internet or even create one on your own if you are good at it. It is recommended that the colors and patterns used be related to the theme of the shower or the baby’s nursery.

2. Include Essential Details

Make sure your invitations include all the important information your guests will need:

  • Date and Time: Be sure to indicate when the party is going to be held.
  • Location: It is necessary to indicate the complete address of the venue.
  • RSVP Details: Add your phone or email that guests may use to respond to your invitation.
  • Special Instructions: It is also important to include any other information, such as whether the organization is formal and clients are required to wear suits or if children are allowed on the premises.

3. Add a Personal Touch

You can add a little more flavor to your invitations by making them more personal. It could be useful to add a picture of the baby or a short message from the parents to the website. It is also possible to include a brief poem or a quote that reflects the topic of expecting a new baby.

4. Choose a Delivery Method

Choose whether you would like to send out paper invitations through mail or go for electronic invitations through email or social media platforms. Both options have their advantages:

  • Physical Invitations: These can be even more formal and memorable for your guests, you can keep them for a long time, or even pass them on to other generations. 
  • Digital Invitations: These are cheap, sustainable, and can be made available as soon as possible.

Related: How long before a Baby Shower do you send Invitations?

Hosting a Successful Sip and See Party

After your invitations are sent out and the party planned, it is time to ensure the day is successful. Here are some tips to ensure everything goes smoothly:

1. Enlist Help

It is advisable to seek assistance from friends or relatives if one cannot solve a particular problem. Having an extra body to help can make serving food, setting up, and entertaining guests a much easier task.

2. Create a Relaxed Environment

Provide good chairs and make some corners where people can sit and talk. Background music can complement the atmosphere without interfering with the talk part of dinner.

3. Capture the Moments

It is advisable to hire a photographer or ask someone present at the event to take pictures. These moments will be a great treasure to you and your guests as they will always be captured on your camera.

4. Keep the Baby Comfortable

Make sure that the baby has a cozy and calm place to sleep between visits from guests. A separate room or a small comfortable corner with a bassinet or crib is perfect for this.

5. Enjoy the Celebration

Above all, have the time to enjoy the celebration and the company of your loved ones. This is a special time that should not go unnoticed and forgotten.

Related: What Are the Best Gifts to Give at a Baby Shower?

Conclusion

A sip-and-see party is a great idea for a newborn baby to introduce the baby to everyone and let everyone see the baby. If you plan the event to be fun and stress-free and send out good invitations, then you are creating a good occasion for the new member of the family. Whether you are having a small party at home or a big party somewhere else, the key to the celebrations is to have fun with your loved ones.

FAQs About Sip and See Party

1. What is a Sip and See Party?

A ‘Sip and See’ party is a social event organized by parents of a newborn baby to present the newborn baby to relatives and friends.

The ‘Sip and See’ is best held several weeks to a couple of months after the birth of the baby.

The invitation should include the basics: date, time, place and even details on whether to make a response or not.

Mention that gifts are not required, or if someone is interested in giving a special gift you could place the address of the baby shower registry on the invitation.

Depends on the parents’ wish that they may choose to have one child or more than one child.