A baby shower can be planned by any friend or relative of the expectant couple. In general, the couple should not host the party. This is not considered proper shower etiquette. Often the mother to be’s best friend, sister or mother will host the shower in honor of the couple.
The first step in planning a baby shower is to set the date. There are no hard and fast rules for the timing of a shower. Most of the time, they are held in the last trimester or last month of pregnancy. In some cultures, such as Jewish people, showers are often held after the baby is born.
You will need to make a guest list for the shower. Family and friends can get together to finalize the list and be sure all important friends and family are invited. You may want to contact siblings, parents and grandparents of the couple well in advance of the date to be sure there are no conflicts and they can save the date.
Once you have chosen the date and finalized the guest list, you can pick the place to hold the event. Showers can be held in the home of the host or in a restaurant. Some people hold the shower in the couple’s home. This is a good idea if they will be getting furniture and larger baby gear as gifts. The couple won’t have to haul all the gifts home if they are already in their own house.
You will need to purchase decorations and invitations for the baby shower. These can be in a matching theme or pattern. Shop online or in party supply stores to find a wide selection of decorations and invitations at a reasonable price. Invitations can be handwritten or ordered from a printer.
You can also make printed invitations on your home computer. Be sure to send the invitations a few weeks in advance to give guests time to respond and to ensure a better turn out. If the mother to be is registered at a local store or baby boutique, be sure to include this information in the invitations. Guests will appreciate the tip.
Plan some games for the baby shower. I will be doing a separate blog on baby shower game ideas later this week. Some people hate games at showers. However, a few games are a time honored tradition at most showers. If the mother to be doesn’t like party games, plan just a few.
Related Articles:
Registering for Your Baby Shower