We're going to have a "My First Christmas Party" instead, so we get to see people we may not otherwise see over busy Christmas time and my friends from interstate might be able to come over, whereas they may not have been able to come just for a shower if that makes sense... this way they can bring their partners and make a weekend of it.

I figure all our friends know us already, but it's nice for them to come and meet the new addition after we've had a few weeks to get to know him/her ourselves!

Also, I'm a bit the same in that I feel bad having people buy us lots of stuff, but I've accepted the fact that they will anyway... we don't know what we're having, so it's easier for people to buy us their gifts after the birth when they know better what we need.