Sip and see party

A sip-and-see party is one of my favorite ways to introduce a new baby to family and friends. We skipped the traditional baby shower and hosted one of these low-key gatherings instead, and it turned out to be exactly what we needed. Here is a look at how we put it together and what made it work so well for our family.

What is a sip-and-see party?

A sip-and-see is an open house held after the baby is born. Guests come to meet the new arrival, share a drink or a snack, and spend some time together. The focus is on visiting, not on opening gifts or playing games. Think of it as a relaxed gathering where the baby is the guest of honor, and everyone gets a chance to hold her and catch up.

It is different from a traditional baby shower in a few key ways. Baby showers typically happen before the birth. A sip-and-see happens after, which means guests actually get to meet the baby in person. It also tends to feel more like a casual party than a formal event.

Why we chose a sip-and-see over a baby shower

Our daughter already had everything she needed by the time she arrived. We also are not big fans of the games that usually come with a traditional baby shower. A sip-and-see felt like a better fit for what we actually wanted, which was quality time with the people we love.

One thing I really appreciated was how inclusive it is. Dads, older kids, and extended family all feel welcome at a sip-and-see in a way that does not always happen at a traditional shower. We invited everyone, and it made for a much warmer afternoon.

I also liked that we could host it ourselves. Doing the planning on our own terms meant the setup matched our style and our pace. And from a practical standpoint, tidying the house once for a single event is far easier than preparing for a string of individual visits from well-meaning relatives, especially with a newborn in the mix.

Our floral theme

We kept the theme simple and chose florals. We picked up organic flower arrangements from a local farm, made some oversized DIY tissue paper flowers, and added matching flower crowns. I also tucked in a few bee details here and there, because bees and flowers just go together.

A floral theme works well no matter the season. You just match the blooms to whatever is in season at the time of your party. Spring parties lean into tulips and peonies. Summer works beautifully with sunflowers or wildflowers. There is a lot of flexibility there.

For a simple way to display photos at the party, we strung jute twine across one wall and attached photos with clothespins. It took almost no time to set up, and it gave guests a natural place to gather and chat. If you want to try something similar at home, our DIY photo string display guide walks you through exactly how to do it.

Food and drinks

The party fell in the middle of the afternoon, so we kept everything light. We made a few simple appetizers that could be prepped quickly. One standout was a watermelon, feta, and mint skewer with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It sounds simple, and it is, but it disappears fast.

We also ordered cupcakes, cake pops, and meringues from a local bakery. The cupcakes had the most adorable gold glitter bee toppers from Etsy. I had no willpower when I saw them.

For your own party, finger sandwiches, a small cheese board, or even a simple tea spread all work well. The goal is just to have something for guests to enjoy while they settle in and meet the baby.

What our daughter wore

She wore a grey linen romper from a local shop called Nest and Nurture. I paired it with a set of Freshly Picked moccasins that I had been watching for a sale on for months. She also had an organic Gerber onesie underneath, which she practically lived in all summer. Those onesies hold up remarkably well through repeated washing. She outgrew them before I was ready to let them go.

She kicked her shoes off before the party was even an hour in, which felt about right.

Who to invite

The guest list is completely up to you. We invited close family and a handful of friends. Because a sip-and-see is an open house format, it is easy to scale up or down depending on your energy levels and your space. Dads, siblings, grandparents, and extended family all fit naturally into this kind of event.

One thing worth thinking about is whether you want to set a time window rather than a firm start and end time. An open house format where guests drop in over a two or three hour window tends to feel less overwhelming than having everyone arrive at once with a newborn in the house.

Simple decor ideas that actually work

Keep your decorations focused and minimal. A single cohesive theme is much easier to pull off than a mix of ideas, and it looks more intentional. Our floral theme came together with flowers, a letterboard, a banner, and a few balloons. That was it.

A gift table is worth setting up if you think guests will bring presents. It keeps things organized and gives guests a clear place to put things when they arrive. If you have a baby registry, share it in advance so guests who want to bring something have an easy reference point.

For more inspiration on organizing spaces for gatherings and baby-related events, our nursery organization and household organization posts have practical ideas that translate well beyond the nursery.

Supplies we used

Here is a quick reference for the items we sourced for our party. Invitations came from Merriment Press on Etsy. The grey linen romper was from Nest and Nurture. The moccasins were Freshly Picked. The letterboard was from Letterboard Co. on Etsy. The bee cupcake toppers and the Oh Happy Day banner both came from Social Bash on Etsy. We ordered balloons from Amazon, baked goods from Frosted Tier Cakes, and flower crowns from Armstrong Flower Shoppe. Organic flower arrangements were from Hartwood North Farm, and the black walnut bunting was from Grain Handmade.

Other ways to celebrate a new baby

A sip-and-see is not the only option. If you prefer a more traditional format, a baby shower before the birth is always a good choice. If you are expecting a second baby and want something low-key, a sprinkle baby shower might be the right fit.

Another option worth knowing about is a diaper party. It tends to skew toward the dads and their friends, and it is a lot more casual than a traditional shower. If you are curious about how to put one together, our diaper party ideas post covers everything you need. And if you need to celebrate remotely with family who cannot travel, our guide on how to host a virtual baby shower walks through the whole process.

Whatever format you choose, the point is the same. You have a new baby, and the people who love you want to meet her. Keep it manageable, keep it personal, and do not stress the details too much. She will not remember the decorations, but you will remember the day.