Planning
A Baby Shower
From ThePartyWorks.com
Hostess
of the Shower?
Anyone can plan the shower -- family members, friends and/or
co-workers. A mommy-to-be can have many showers but it is wise
to consult her or her mother (if it is a surprise) so that the
themes can all be different -- this also avoids duplication
of gift items.
Before
or After the Baby is Born?
For first-time mothers, showers before the baby arrives are
great fun for her to look forward to in the last month of her
pregnancy -- and she and the daddy can play and dream with all
the gifts while awaiting their bundle of joy. Mothers having
their second or more children, sprinkles can be held before
or after the baby is born. The up side of holding the shower
after the baby's birth is that gifts can be chosen by the sex
of the baby.
Who
Should be Invited?
Traditionally, anyone invited that was invited to the wedding
can be invited to baby showers. The best idea is to consult
with the new mommy and daddy. Avoid inviting the same people
to more than one shower, although some people want to attend
several. Best to invite by groups, for example, co-workers,
church, etc. The mothers and grandmothers of the mommy and daddy
should be invited to all of the showers but it is up to them
to decide which ones they will attend.
Surprise
or Not Surprise the Mommy-To-Be?
Surprise showers are fun to plan but are not necessarily fun
for the mommy who normally is tired of being pregnant; besides,
it appears to be more enjoyable for her when she knows people
that love her are planning a special party. She'll be more prepared
to relax and enjoy all the festivities, and if she already has
children, she can make arrangements ahead of time for babysitting.
What
Happens When?
There is no right way or wrong way -- just your way. An
easy-flowing shower can be something like this:
Upon
arrival, guests are greeted, gifts put on the Gift Table, take
their coats, pin on their name tag and offer them a beverage.
Introduce them to other guests. When everyone has arrived, start
with an ice breaker game (a simple, no frills, easy game to encourage
mingling) If serving a meal, let the guests know when to help
themselves.When the meal is over, serve dessert. While guests
are enjoying their desserts, the mommy can open her gifts.
What
if the Guests Don't Know Each Other?
Provide easy-to-read name tags. These can be computer-generated
in a pretty and baby-ish font. Hot glue some dried flowers, mini
rattles, baby bottles (party favor section of a craft store) or
ribbons. Remember to have straight pins, too.
Where
Do the Gifts Go When Guests Arrive?
Provide a Gift Table near where the mommy-to-be seated to open
them. As guests arrive, ensure their envelope or gift tag is securely
attached to their gift before putting it on the table.
Decorations
It is traditional to the use the colors of the baby's nursery,
fresh flowers, balloons and streamers. Today, you can select
from a variety of wonderful paper goods designed especially
for baby showers. Unless your shower is formal with china and
silver, pretty partygoods cheer up a party, are a part of the
table decorations and make clean-up simple, easy and mess-free.
There is no need to do a lot of decorating. Festive table decorations
can also be game prizes, such as potted flowers.
Special
Enhancements
Present a "baby's corsage" to the mommy-to-be
and small flower corsages to the soon-to-be grandmothers.
Decorate
the mommy-to-be's chair with helium-filled balloons. A touch of
ribbon and fresh flowers intertwined with imitation ivy is very
festive.
Ask
one of the guests to hand the mommy the gift, take it from her
after it is opened to pass around the room. She can also collect
the torn wrapping paper and put it in a trash bag.
Provide
envelopes to each guest, asking them to address it to themselves.
When the mom writes her thank you notes, this will save her a
lot of time. (Ahead of time, ask the mom to provide the thank
you note envelopes to you).
