Planning the Perfect Baby Shower

Baby showers are parties thrown for friends and family members that are pregnant. This practice has significantly changed over the course of the years and has gradually become more and more elaborate and planned. Baby showers can make an expectant mother feel secure and loved by knowing her friends are there to support her emotionally.

Throwing one for a special mum-to-be in your life does not have to be difficult or elaborate. Here is a simple outline for planning the perfect baby shower:

1. Find a Theme

If you know the mum-to-be well enough then you know what her likes and interests are. Some mothers enjoy traditional baby showers while others may be delighted to have a super-hero themed party! If mum’s due date is close to a special holiday or occasion (Easter, Halloween, etc.), you can choose a theme based on that. Some parents choose to learn the gender of their expected little one so you could use that to determine a theme as well.

2. Choose a Date

Baby showers are typically held about 1-2 months before the due date. You want to give mum ample time to determine what she needs, yet you do not want the party to be too close to the due date or so early that the excitement of having a baby hasn’t began to surface yet.

3. Find a Venue

Depending on your expected guest list size, you may choose to host the party at someone’s home, in a church hall or a community centre. Make sure the venue properly accommodates the number of guests, food and any special activities planned. Book the venue as far in advance as possible.

4. Make a Guest List and Send Invites

Whether you plan on having a grand affair or an intimate gathering, always begin with those closest to the mum-to-be: mothers, grandmothers, aunts, best friends, sisters, etc. If the party is not a surprise it is a good idea to run the list by mum-to-be to make sure that nobody important is left out.

You can always use informal ways to invite the guests: email, phone or even a Facebook event. However, invitation cards or letters are more personal and tangible. They make the invitee feel special while giving them a meaningful memento of the special day.

5. Set Up a Baby Gift List

Baby gift lists are a great way to ensure that soon-to-be parents do not receive multiples of one item and that they receive the baby items they want. Have the mum or both parents choose a store and create a gift list. This can be shared with guests via their invitations. Make sure the parents choose a variety of items in a wide price range.

6. Party Games and Goodies

The trick to having games at a baby shower is to only plan a few and to keep them simple. Purchase or make small inexpensive gifts to pass out as prizes such as gift certificates or mystery bags of goodies.

Here is a quick list of popular baby shower games:

  • Mommy’s belly: Each guest is given a piece of string to decide how big the mom-to-be’s belly is. The closest guess gets a prize.
  • Guess the nursery rhyme: Give each guest a sheet of lines from nursery rhymes and see if they can either finish them or guess which one they are from.
  • Did You Say “Baby”? Each guest is given a clothespin to wear on their clothes and every time they catch someone saying the word “baby” they get to take one clothespin. At the end of the party the guest with the most clothespins wins.
  • Baby food tasting: Have a variety of baby food in jars with the labels removed. Place a number on the bottom of the jar and write down each flavour (keep this secret). Have each guest take turns tasting the food and guessing its flavour. Whoever has the most correct wins.

7. Plan the Menu

Baby showers can have extravagant menus or simple fingers foods. You can invite guests to bring a dish potluck style or splurge for a caterer. However, if you decide to serve up food, ensure that you plan enough for the number of guests attending.

Baby showers are a pleasant surprise to expecting mothers. It takes a lot of the stress of expecting a child off of their minds and provides a means for friends to show love and support. A properly coordinated baby shower will be greatly appreciated and forever remembered by mothers long after they have delivered their children.