Let’s Plan a Baby Shower!
It’s time to plan a baby shower! A baby shower is an important event allowing everyone to get together and celebrate the impending arrival of the new baby. It is a wonderful time for friends and family to get together and show how excited they are to be welcoming this bundle of joy into their lives. The expectant mom will appreciate the thoughtfulness of the shower, and she will receive much-needed gifts for the baby, particularly if this is the first.
The Date and Location
Of course, you will want to choose a date that is good for everyone including the expectant mother. Although weekends are often chosen, you should check with everyone that you are inviting to make certain they do not have previous plans. Some people also have jobs that require them to work on the weekend so choosing the right time is important.
The location will depend on several things. One is the number of people being invited. If your guest list is extensive, it may not work to hold the shower in a private home. Other venues include community centers, churches, a hall, or even a backyard if the weather is nice. Whatever the place chosen, ensure that there is plenty of seating. A comfortable chair for the expectant mom is a necessity. Tables for placing gifts and the food that is being served are important as well.
The Gifts
Many times the gifts given at a baby shower are similar. Although there are many items that the mom-to-be needs plenty of such as diapers, they will probably not want ten or twelve diaper bags. This is why the people who are going to be invited to the shower need to communicate. Then they can make sure of getting gifts that the expectant mom will use, and she will not have to return so many items. Sometimes expectant mothers sign up for gift registries so their friends and family will have an idea of what she wants. There are several places to shop for baby shower gifts such as SunshineGiftBaskets or Up2ournecksinfabricon Etsy and stores like buybuy BABY or Walmart.
The Food
The type of food being served will depend on the time of day the shower is being held. If it is an afternoon shower, an actual meal does not have to be served. Finger food, sandwiches, vegetable trays, pizza, and naturally a dessert is perfectly fine. If the shower is going to be held later in the evening, a sit-down meal is preferable. This is the time of day when everyone will be thinking about dinner so something a bit more substantial would be a good idea. Pampers has some great baby shower food ideas on their website.
Activities
There are some fun and unique activities that can be enjoyed at a baby shower. One of the most popular is making a video during the shower that will be a timeless record of everyone that came to the shower. The expectant mother will love having this memory to share with her child when he or she is older. There is even an app on Google Play to do this! Arts and crafts activities are fun and can include making decorations for the nursery. Another popular idea is guessing games.
Planning a baby shower can be fun. There are an endless number of possibilities. It basically just comes down to planning and creativity. The most important part is making it a memorable day for the expectant mom and her guests.
For lots of ideas and tips on planning a baby shower without breaking the bank, check out our How To Host a Baby Shower on a Budget post.
Looking for some gift ideas?
Check out this post ➡ Three Great Gift Ideas for Your Sister’s Baby Shower
Devit Clark says
Thank you for sharing great ideas about baby showers on your blog, I read your blog and it is a great idea and understanding blog. Thanks
cheappartyshop says
Great article ! Cheers for this one.
Elaine @ Changing Laines says
This couldn’t come at a better time. I’m in a season of life when EVERYONE I know is having a baby or getting married. I’m sure I’ll have to plan a few showers soon!
Marcus says
Excellent Elaine, I am so glad the timing was right for you!, thank you for commenting. According to your pic you already have a furry little baby. lol
Nati says
Your guide is super complete! Thank you so much, you reall thought about everything for a baby shower!
Marcus says
Nati, we try to be thorough, and thank you for the compliment!
Nikole says
This is a really helpful checklist! I’ve helped plan a few showers, and I’m always running around at the last minute because I forgot something! I can use this, thanks!
Marcus says
Nikole you are more than welcome!, I am just happy this can aide you.
Di says
Am I the only that buys a gift off the registry and doesn’t go to the shower? lol. not my favorite social gathering, introvert problems. lol
Marcus says
Di, we share the same anxiety, no there is nothing wrong with buying a gift off the registry. You are merely showing your way of acknowledgement and love.
Purva says
The checklist here is quite resourceful. It makes things easy and organized. Thanks for sharing.
Marcus says
Thank you, Purva. Easy and organized are a couple of my favorite words. Now keep in mind, I can plan a baby shower but I can’t deliver a baby! lol
Stephanie says
You have a great checklist here! I’ve only planned one baby shower before, and my mom helped with the planning since it was for my little sister. Luckily, we have a friend with a big back yard so we were able to use her house to host the party.
Marcus says
Why thank you, Stephanie, we try to offer solutions. That is very cool your friend has a big back yard, see that’s what friends are for!
Neely says
I feel like at this point I could be a professional baby shower thrower. But these are such great tips!
Marcus says
Neely, I feel a sense of supply and demand in your words, have you considered maybe a side profession?