Planning a Baby Shower Tips

To plan a baby shower is a privilege for a close friend or family member of yours that are having a baby. What is more fun than a baby shower? So, the planning should be fun as well. If you keep a few tips in mind, when you are planning the baby shower, you will have not problems. Approach the planning process systematically and everything will fall into place.

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 the planning of a baby shower, you have to keep certain things in mind.

Here are a few tips to help you with planning your baby shower:

1) Decide on the location.

I think the best location for a baby shower is your own home. You do not want to inconvenience the mom- to -be with an upheaval in her house with the preparations. 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 in the 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 fewer 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.

Decorating ideas for baby shower is made easier when you decide on a theme for the baby shower. 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. Keep in mind that the mommy-to-be cannot use alcohol and you must be sure it will not be a problem for her.

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. There are many quick baby shower games ideas available only that you can download and print.

5) Create the guest list and send out invitations.

Prepare a list of the expectant parents’ closest friends and family members. Make sure to get 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. Keep in mind that the baby shower invitations wording must contain all the necessary information.

Send out invitations out two to four weeks before the party to give the guests time to work the party into their schedule. Remember most people are very busy these days and you must make sure they have time enough to plan their day. You should not send them out too long before the time either as that may cause them to forget about the baby shower. 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.

With these tips you will be organized. Make sure you have a finalized list of all guest attending the baby shower so that you can know for how many people you have to prepare.

Relax and enjoy the party with the guests, that's the best advice I can give you. If you are all stressed out your guest will feel it and it will make them feel tense as well.