Baby Shower Planning: Tips, Advice, And Ideas For A Successful Shower
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Author: Jennifer Adair Planning a baby shower is the perfect way of expressing
"Congratulations," or "We're happy for you," or "Best wishes"
when a newborn has been added to the family.
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.
About The Author: Download your free baby shower planning
report today for great ideas and tips for planning amazing baby
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