Baby showers – celebrating Mom and baby – have been around for ages, but what about honoring Dad? Fear not, a new trend has entered the market… one that celebrates the father-to-be: Dad-chelor parties
dads
So What Exactly is a Dad-chelor Party?
A Dad-chelor party is a way for dad-to-be to get out and connect with his friends before baby comes. Plus, fatherhood is exciting! This is an opportunity to celebrate upcoming parenthood with the people who are important to you. "I was one of the first of my friends to have kids, so I think my buddies were worried about me dropping off after having kids," says Erick Bond of Pittsford who had a Dad-chelor party when his first daughter (now two years old) was born. "One of my friends suggested having it, kind of as recognition that things were changing, but we were still friends and would still be seeing each other."
What Does a Dad-chelor Party Entail?
Unlike bachelor parties, Dad-chelor parties tend to be low-key (and classier) affairs. It can be anything from a guys' night out to a weekend away to relax, connect, and generally have a good time. "Make sure it's celebratory," suggests Bond. "You don't want your friends to think it's the last time they'll ever see you, so don't make it a show of mourning." You'll have less Friend Time once the baby comes, sure, but a Dad-chelor party is a celebration of friendship and family, not something to mark the end of an era. Instead, it celebrates the next step in life. "Make sure your friends know you want them to continue being a part of your family's life," says Bond. "Also, your wife will appreciate knowing that you don't think the baby means the end of your social life."
Down To the Details
Ready to get started? When planning your event, think about what is personal to you and what you'll really enjoy. If a rowdy night out isn't really your cup of tea, don't feel obligated to bar hop all night long. Do what is comfortable and will be the most enjoyable. If you're into music, try a concert or a weekend away to a musical destination. (Bond's friend recently threw a Dad-chelor party that included a trip to Nashville.) Like sports? Snag tickets to a Bills game or plan a day of golf. Enjoy dining and a night out? Bond's Dad-chelor party included dinner at a fancy steak restaurant and drinks afterwards at a nice bar.
When selecting the guest list, try to keep things simple. It will be easier to manage the event with a smaller group of attendees – somewhere in the range of four to six works the best. Set your date and give your guests enough time to schedule time away from home or vacation time. "Don't book it too close to the due date," Bond recommends. His Dad-chelor party was originally scheduled for a week before his wife's due date, but when she went into labor early, the party had to be pushed back until after the baby was born.
You might want to consider setting some ground rules before the party. Baby showers traditionally include goofy games and moms swapping parenting advice; decide how you want your Dad-chelor party to operate. Should guests bring gifts? (Often Dadcehlor parties are gift-free, but creative ideas are encouraged like bringing a beer or bottle of booze along with diapers.) You can also decide if you want the party to be free of baby and parenting talk or if you would rather make it an opportunity to swap parenting stories, advice and have the chance to pick the brains of a few dads who have been there.
Overall, plan something fun and memorable. This is about you and that great step you're taking toward fatherhood.
Jillian Melnyk is the Editor of Rochester & Genesee Valley Parent Magazine. Contact her at Editor@GVParent.com
Dad-chelor Ideas
- Golf outing
- Brewery tour or beer tasting
- Sporting event
- Dinner out
- Afternoon barbeque
- Poker party or casino trip
- Camping and fishing trip
- Diaper party (guests bring diapers for the baby and a beer for the dad-to-be)
