[aclee]

For all my cousins it was established early that on of the aunts (who only had younger kids) would host baby showers, and one Aunt (who had boys only) would host bridal shower. As, it was AT their house. Sisters typically did the work of the shower. Parents don't normally have anything to do with it. I can say that I'm proud that MY baby shower was battle royal among all the aunts to host, but my sister hands down was the one that "threw it"

When my sister was pregnant with her second, I refused to have another shower for her (she had FIVE showers for her 1st) so her MIL threw her a diapers only party. I did go, I just couldn't do the work again. I spent thousands on her first one!

I think that it doesn't matter who throws the party. They are all sort of trolling for gifts...unless a host is being particularly obnoxious or trying to push expensive gifts or monetary contributions on guests or something...I would go regardless of who was hosting if it was someone that I cared about.