Are you wondering how to host a baby shower successfully?
Hosting a baby shower can be quite stressful, especially if you want everything to be perfect. There’s a lot to manage, from practical details like the location and decorations, to the mom-to-be’s expectations, guest list, and the tricky quagmire of baby shower etiquette.
How to Host a Baby Shower
When you start to panic, step back and take a couple deep breaths. Then, follow these steps to host the best baby shower you can.
Try to start on this list approximately two months before the time you want to have the shower.
Make the Guest List
The first thing you need to do is prepare the guest list. Write down anyone who will be invited, taking into account if anyone has children, spouses, or anyone else they may be bringing. This is an essential step to picking the venue, menu, and more.
This may sound odd, but don’t forget to ask the mom to be if she wants male friends and family to attend! Back in the day, baby showers were usually female only, but those days are long gone.
Find Your Budget
Once you have the guest list made, you will need to find out your budget. As you decide how much you want to spend, consider how much you can realistically afford. You should also consider the number of people that will be attending and whether or not it is realistic to invite everyone on the guest list. If not, return to step 1 and revise the list so that it is more manageable.
Choose the Location
Your option for a location of a baby shower is usually a restaurant or party hall or at home. If you are going to reserve somewhere, make sure that you do this as soon as you can. Also, find out if they cater the event or just provide the location to be sure it is in your budget. If you are hosting at home, make sure you account for the food and beverages that you will serve, as well as things like utensils, cups, plates, and napkins.
Weather is important, too, if you plan to host the baby shower outdoors.
Choose the Day and Time Carefully
A baby shower is successful if the future mom is in a good mood and has time to attend. Although you want it to be a surprise, you should discuss with the immediate family and find a day when the mom isn’t scheduled for an ultrasound or other type of check-up. Try to consider when important people on your guest list, like the bride’s family and best friends, can attend.
Send Out Invitations
Once you have assembled your guest list and you know where and when the party will be, you will need to send out invitations. It is always a nice idea to choose invitations that match the theme of the baby shower. You should include where the shower will be held, as well as the date and time. Also, set a RSVP for one week before the shower so you know how many people to expect and leave your phone number. Finally, be sure to include a map to the venue so everyone can find it without getting lost.
Decide What to Serve
You can choose to cater, or you can prepare and serve the food yourself. Regardless of which you choose, be sure that the foods are within your budget and portions are realistic the number of people attending.
Pregnant women often choose not to eat certain foods, like coffee and soft cheese. Apart from the no-no list of foods for the future mom, there are the guests to consider. Many people have various food allergies. You should discuss with all the guests ahead of time so that you can plan a safe and delicious menu for everyone.
Don’t forget non-alcoholic sparkling wine or non-alcoholic sparkling cider for the mom to be.
Coordinate the baby shower registry
If the mom to be doesn’t have a gift shower registry yet, you may want to encourage her to start one. A gift registry is convenient because everyone will bring gifts that will be truly useful for the new parents, and there is little risk of two people bringing the same gift.
You can open a gift list directly at a brick and mortar store or online. Each guest will know which gifts are still available for purchase. Attention! Make sure that the gifts on the list are affordable for the guests.
Get organic baby gifts if you can! You can find organic baby brands here. Parents almost always love this touch.
There are a lot fantastic baby gifts out there, including these organic Joobles toys, items to make life with baby easier, and the Ollie Swaddle.
One of the easiest ideas is to start a baby registry on Amazon.
This makes it incredibly easy for guests from different areas to buy gifts. Shop Amazon – Create an Amazon Baby Registry Organize the entertainment
A baby shower is not just about giving gifts and enjoying food. It should be an occasion to celebrate the future mom and make her feel special and loved. Think of her hobbies and favorite games and, as far as possible, include them in the event.
Even a simple game of Monopoly can be a great way to entertain the mom to be and help her forget about her worries about the impending labor and birth.
That said baby showers are famous for some truly unique games, and many are easy to play and fun. You can find some great ideas for baby shower games here, here, and here.
Go Shopping
Some of the things that you will need to host the shower include decorations, supplies for the food and beverages, and favor. If you chose to have games at the shower, you will need to do this as well. If you are hosting at a restaurant, be sure they allow the decorations you want to bring and find out what they will provide.
Set Up for the Party
By the day of the party, you should have all of the supplies purchased and an idea of when you want to do each activity, such as the games, eating, cake, opening presents, and anything else you may have planned.
Hosting a Baby Shower Etiquette
Not all the guests at a baby shower are parents. Thus, although a big part of the conversation will be about the coming baby, you should broaden the topics to entertain everyone.
Also, the future mom does not need to hear about labor pains, baby’s colic, teething pains and other baby-related but distressing topics. Keep the conversation light, fun and pleasant for everyone attending the baby shower!
Relax and Have Fun
The good thing is that with good baby shower planning, you can actually enjoy the party. Help everyone find their food and drinks, keep the schedule on track, and watch everything fall into place. Take in all the oohing and awing from everyone as you unwrap each adorable new toy, clothing and essential for the little one.
