Planning a Baby Shower
A baby shower brings the expectant mother's friends together to celebrate her pregnancy.baby shower It's a fun and memorable event, but it can also be an opportunity to ease anxieties and stress by talking about the experience of childbirth and new parenting with those who have been there before.
The guest list can vary depending on the guest of honor's preference.baby shower It's generally a mix of close female friends and family, but some parties may exclude men. The baby shower can also be a time to share humorous labor stories or embarrassing anecdotes about poop. Some prefer to have a themed party, such as a tea party or a brunch. Others like to have a simple gathering and focus more on pampering gifts for mom and diapers, wipes and formula for the little one.
Start planning the event by deciding on a date and venue.baby shower If the shower is going to be at a restaurant or another outside location, contact it as soon as possible and reserve a space. Check with the mother-to-be to see what her preference is for the guest list and whether she has a registry for items that are needed or desired for the baby.
Decide what type of food and beverages to serve and make a shopping list for all ingredients. If the shower is being held at your home, prepare and set up any decorations or supplies that you need to buy or gather. If you're ordering anything online, order it now so it will arrive in plenty of time for the party.
Ask the guest of honor to provide a list of guests with their names and contact information so you can send out invitations. If the woman has already registered at a store, include the registry number on the invitations.
Begin planning activities and games for the shower. If the mother-to-be is comfortable with it, consider including some more intimate or private activities such as a scrapbooking project, a photo collage or a letter writing station where guests can leave their best wishes and advice for the new parent.
Pick up the cake (if you're not making it yourself) and any other food or drink items that have to be bought ahead of time. Confirm if any special utensils or serving dishes are needed and make sure you have them.
Stay on Schedule
During the party, try to stay on a schedule so the day doesn't get too long for the expecting mother. Keep in mind she might be tired by the end of the day and may need alone time before the baby is born.
When gift opening time comes around, have someone help the mother-to-be write down the names of all who gave her presents so she can send thank-you cards. Alternatively, have her sitting near all the gifts and have guests write their names on envelopes as a party station to save her some work later on.