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Opinions please
Okay so I have been working on this all week and I am no closer to a solution so I thought I could bounce some ideas off of you ladies to get some help 
My friend is throwing me a baby shower but it will be in the town I live in so either at my house or a park. I'm a little worried about fitting 20 or so people into my house and having a place for everyone to sit. So I was thinking a park would work nice. Now a lot of the people I would invite are DH's co workers wife's and DH and talked about possibly doing a park BBQ type thing and making it co-ed, but I just can't decide if I think that people are going to think that is weird since baby showers are usually all women. I just don't want a bunch of men complaining because they have to go to a baby shower. Also let me state that if it was a co-ed shower we wouldn't play any traditional baby showers games and may just set up a volleyball net or something similar.
So what do you think? Good idea, bad idea...need a new idea??
[Poll]
Re: Opinions please
I say go for it! H and I attended a co-ed shower for a friend over the summer and it was a blast. It was basically just BBQ, games, drinking and hanging out. The only thing about it that even resembled a baby shower was the opening of the gifts. It really felt more like a regular party and was very relaxed. I think making it co-ed and allowing kids also upped the attendance rate.
We had a co-ed shower as well and did it at a restaurant with great food. Again, it was basically just hanging out with our friends and family, eating and opening gifts. Everyone said they had a great time.
I voted "SS" because I feel like when men hear the phrase "baby shower" they automatically associate it with the traditional games, cake, etc.etc. Generally, no fun. But I also think that what you're talking about sounds like a lot of fun that my DH would enjoy, and I think most would. So I think I would phrase the invite as "celebrate the upcoming arrival of baby X" rather then BABY SHOWER per se. If that's possible.
Sounds stupid, but I think I have a point
You have a very good point. My H was reluctant to go to the shower over the summer because he was convinced he'd be the only guy to show up or that his name was on the invitation by mistake. He relaxed a lot when he saw all the guys that were there, though.
He also got a couple smart-ass comments from his friends when they received our shower invitation about how guys don't attend baby showers.
I like the idea of calling it a "celebration" instead of a "shower".
I say go for it! I attended a co-ed shower where the games required that you pair up with your husband/boyfriend or another single to win.
One was a stroller obstacle course - the men had a doll baby in a stroller and, going around various obstacles they were tested on speed but keeping the baby safe. It was so funny I almost peed my pants!!
Another was a diaper and bottle race - the woman had to fashion a diaper onto her husband out of toilet paper and, once it was on and stayed on for three seconds with falling off him, he began drinking orange juice from a baby bottle. The first pair to complete both tasks won. Jeff looked AMAZING in the diaper I made him!
One I just read because I was curious about this and googled ideas was pregnant twister. Those who aren't pregnant fastened a pillow onto their bodies and played twister like that. The last one to remain on the board without falling won the game. Can you imagine the positions men will put themselves in?!
If all else fails - let them be in charge of barbecuing.
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We did a co-ed shower too and it was loads of fun. I had 30+ people in my house and would highly recommend doing a park (park is not really feasible in winter in Wisconsin)
We had numerous men show up and none of them complained. We actually played a few baby games and the men seemed to have fun with that. In fact, we did the "cut the string to mom's belly size" and two men were the closest! I wanted it to be more of a get together than a shower so it worked nicely. I highly recommend doing the co-ed option!
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Well, my shower is on Sunday and it's co-ed so you can guess what I voted for! My friend who is planning it is having the shower at her house. In my case, I really didn't want a typical shower with games and such, I wanted more of a party atmosphere. Plus we have a tight circle of friends, all couples that are close friends with each other, and we rarely have an occasion to all get together. They are all bringing their kids and it will be completely laid-back, so it should be really fun.
Honestly, most of the invitees I've talked to seemed pretty relieved when they found out the format of the shower... I think some people find showers to be a chore.
I love the idea of doing it in a park if you can swing it weather wise, that wasn't an option for us with a shower in February.
Ditto! We've been to several co-ed baby showers and they are a lot of fun! Though, each time we go, DH has an escape plan just in case he ends up being the only guy, so maybe emphasize that there will be plenty of guys around
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