Baby Shower Planning

Tips on Planning a Baby Shower

What comes to mind after hearing the four magical words, “We’re having a baby?” A baby shower, of course. Organizing a party with the expectant parents’ closest friends and family members is the perfect way of expressing “Congratulations,” or “We’re happy for you,” or “Best wishes.”

Aimed at further boosting the parents-to-be’s excitement for the future member of their family, the baby shower is usually hosted by a close friend or relative, at any time during the last months of the pregnancy.

Just like any other party, a baby shower requires careful planning to ensure that it will go as smoothly as possible, and be memorable for everyone. Although there are no rules cast in stone in preparing for a baby shower, there are some helpful tips to follow to help the host organize every aspect of the event.

1) Decide on the location.

Most baby showers are held at the parent-to-be’s house, since the expectant mother’s health needs to be considered. It is recommended for small, intimate parties, with only the closest friends and family members. Guests also tend to be more comfortable if the party’s setting is at home.

If the expectant parents love the outdoors, a barbecue party at their garden, or a local park may also be an option. Naturally, the weather must be considered – baby shower does not literally mean soaking the guests in the rain.

For less complications, the host may reserve a secluded area in a restaurant or bar. It may be more costly, but at least the decoration, food and drinks, as well as the post-party cleanup will already be taken care of.

2) Choose the party’s theme.

For easier decoration ideas, a theme may be decided upon. Consider the expectant parents’ favorite movies or hangouts. Another option is to decorate the party site by re-creating the place where they had their honeymoon, such as a cruise ship, or Paris-inspired café.

Since the party will also be a celebration of the future baby, a childish atmosphere may also be considered. Choose cartoon characters, bright colors, and other designs depending on the baby’s gender.

3) Finalize the menu.

The party’s menu will depend upon the time of the event. In most baby showers, the host serves finger food, pastries and other baked goods for convenience. However, if the event will be held during lunch or dinner time, heavier meals will naturally be served. Alcoholic drinks may also be prepared, depending on the guests’ preference.

4) Design a fun program.

Contrary to what most people believe, a baby shower is not only limited to mingling around, gift giving, eating and drinking. Fun games may also be included, such as charades, or those which will bring back the guests’ childhood memories. Remember that the main point is to make sure everyone will have a good time, and various games will surely liven up the event.

5) Create the guest list and send out invitations.

Prepare a list of the expectant parents’ closest friends and family members. Make sure to seek their approval before sending out invitations, to avoid any embarrassing mistakes later. Bear in mind that it’s the parents’ event, and not the host’s, so their choice of people should matter the most.

Ready-made baby shower invitations are readily available in gift shops and craft stores. However, homemade invitations may also be used to provide the host’s personal touch.

Send out invitations out two to four weeks before the party to give time for the guests to fix their schedule. Baby shower invitations follow the same format as any other invitation — it indicates the date, time, place, attire preferred, gift registry, if any, the host’s contact numbers for RSVP. Just to be organized, prepare a final list of attendees a few days before the baby shower.

News About Baby Showers The Best Baby Shower Games "Newborns in Need" Holds Baby Shower (KTSM El Paso) 9 Mar 2010 at 6:27pm A baby shower was held in east El Paso Tuesday. It was presented by "Newborns in Need," and organization out of University Medical Center. Church hosts baby shower (Fort Myers Beach Bulletin & Observer) 8 Mar 2010 at 11:12pm Church of the Ascension women will have a "Baby Shower for Catholic Charities Community Services," on Thursday, March 11, in the parish hall. Coffee will be served at 9:30 am, followed by Baby Shower and meeting at 10. Christine Nolan, Director of Catholic Charities will join us. Gov't says Baby Slings Can Suffocate Infants (MalaysiaNews.net) 9 Mar 2010 at 5:07pm The editor-in-chief of CoolMomPicks.com shares her favorite baby shower gifts. The U.S. government is preparing a safety warning about baby slings ? those popular and fashionable infant carrier... Riverbanks welcomes baby giraffe during snow shower (Spartanburg Herald-Journal) 10 Mar 2010 at 2:23am The snowstorm on Feb. 13 may have caused Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia to close, but the snow did not keep the zoo's newest addition away. When zoo keepers entered the giraffe barn that morning, they were greeted by a lanky little boy who had not been there the night before. Clothes for babies (The World) 10 Mar 2010 at 2:25am The Soroptimist Club of Coos Bay organized clothes, diapers and many other baby items for its annual Community Baby Shower giveaway on Saturday morning at the Pony Village Mall. The group started the service project in 2004 to gather necessary items for The Baby Closet to help local families take care of their young ones. Miracle baby beats the odds in Huffman (Lake Houston Sentinel) 10 Mar 2010 at 1:35am The birth of Brayden Ezekial may be the closest thing to a miracle that Asher family of Huffman will ever witness. The young fighter was born with a rare condition that led doctors to expect that the infant would take one breath and then pass from this life. Mum's gout turned out to be baby (Herald Sun) 9 Mar 2010 at 11:52am STUNNED British woman Belinda Waite became a mother for the first time just three hours after doctors discovered she was pregnant. Lohan sues for $100m over E-Trade ad (News.com.au) 9 Mar 2010 at 2:25pm THE actor's suing NY financial company E-Trade, insisting a boyfriend-stealing, "milkaholic" baby used in its latest ad is modelled after her. Out of the mouths (Asia News Network) 9 Mar 2010 at 12:33am There are lots of superstitions handed down through the generations about pregnancy and childbirth. For generations, advice such as ?don?t eat pineapples when you are having your period? to ?dry off well after you shower? have been passed on from grandmothers to mothers to many young women. Army homicide suspect may face death penalty (Tacoma News Tribune) 9 Mar 2010 at 2:18am The Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier accused of killing two married comrades, trying to burn their bodies with acid and kidnapping their baby could face the death penalty. Spc. Ivette Davila, 24, faces two specifications of premeditated murder for the March 2, 2008, slayings of Staff Sgt. Timothy Miller and Sgt. Randi Miller in the couple?s Parkland home.   Baby Shower Books & Resources Itzbeen Baby Care Timer - Blue Itzbeen Baby Care Timer - Blue (Baby Product) By Itzbeen Buy new: $24.95 13 used and new from $22.00 Customer Rating: The Essential Baby Organizer: Birth to One Year The Essential Baby Organizer: Birth to One Year (The Essential Organizers) (Spiral-bound) By Dani Rasmussen Buy new: $19.95 17 used and new from $12.49 Customer Rating: Cloud b Sleep Sheep - Four Soothing Sounds From Nature Cloud b Sleep Sheep - Four Soothing Sounds From Nature (Baby Product) By Cloud b Buy new: $19.87 51 used and new from $17.00 Customer Rating: Boogaloo Zebra Diaper Bag Boogaloo Zebra Diaper Bag (Baby Product) By Boogaloo Buy new: $29.99 Customer Rating: