It is an exciting time when someone close to you is awaiting their little bundle of joy. As mama-to-be is waiting for the big day, you'll probably start thinking about throwing a baby shower. When planning a shower, there are lots of details to consider, but most of all you'll want to make it a special day everyone will remember.
There are many ways to plan a baby shower that mama-to-be and your guests are sure to enjoy. Here are some tips and ideas for planning the celebration:
*Choose the theme. A nice choice is to go with the theme of the expecting parent's nursery and craft your invitations and decorations to mirror this decor. Mama-to-be is guaranteed to love it!
*Invitations. You can usually find adorable baby shower invitations in most party or variety stores which typically carry an assortment of themes. If you decide to create your own invitations, you can include a nice welcome or poem. There are several great relatively inexpensive software packages available to create beautiful customized invitations. Most office supply stores offer a wide selection of card quality paper and envelopes.
In your invitation, include the name of the guest of honor, date, time, address, and if mama-to-be has filled out a gift registry at any stores, note this. If you plan to have a wishing well, be sure to include on the invitation as well. Don't forget an RSVP date, it helps you plan when you have a general idea of how many guests are attending.
*Decorations. To decorate the room and tables, balloons, themed paper goods, and flowers are good choices. Depending on whether you are holding the shower in a restaurant or your home, decorative options may vary. With a restaurant you may be slightly limited, but at home, the sky's the limit!
A wishing well is not only a practical container for the gift extras people bring, but makes a beautiful central decorative piece. Additionally, you'll want to create party favors for your guests, baby themed of course! A pretty corsage for mama-to-be is a nice touch.
*Luncheon and dessert. For food you can have a potluck, asking family and close friends to bring a nice dish, or you can have it catered. If you choose to prepare the foods yourself, it cuts back on costs. It's customary to have a cake for dessert and it's nice to include a congratulatory or welcome message for the parents or baby. Sayings such as "Pink or Blue - We Welcome You!" or "Congratulations! Diapers & Pins, the Fun Begins" are eye-catching.
*Games. For baby showers there are many kinds of games you can arrange to add flair to the baby shower. A few fun ideas:
- Bingo. As everyone arrives, hand out a blank "bingo" card (you can make this on your computer and print out copies) and ask everyone to write a baby item in each box. As mama-to-be opens gifts, each person should mark each box which has the correct item and whoever gets "bingo" first wins.
- Guess how many baby pins. You can use any container, but to stay inspired with baby thoughts, a cute idea is to fill up a plastic baby bottle with the pins and whoever comes closest to guessing the correct amount wins.
- Name that tune, baby style. A twist on the old favorite "Name that tune" but using songs with the word "baby" in the title or nursery rhymes and lullabyes. Whoever guesses the most songs correctly wins.
Don't forget prizes!
*Gifts for the mama-to-be. It's likely you'll be asked advice for shower gift ideas. Many people opt to go the gift registry route, but if not, there are many other creative, fun and practical gifts which will be welcomed. Layette sets, receiving blankets, "onesies", sleepers, diapers and crib sheets are all good choices. Other great ideas are a baby book or journal where mom can write down her thoughts and keep track of baby's progress as he/she grows.
If you want to get creative, you can make a huge gift basket and place a variety of items inside, wrap it in cellophane and decorate with ribbons. Inside you can place much needed items such as soaps, shampoos, diapering accessories, rattles, bottles, feeding spoons, first-aid kit, cloth diapers (great for burping!), books and a few clothing items. Once wrapped it looks beautiful and mama-to-be will appreciate these much needed extras. When creating your basket, its chef's choice; there are many terrific items you can add to the basket.
As hostess, it's a nice idea to purchase mama-to-be some thank you cards, you can stick to the nursery theme as a nice finishing touch. Another idea is upon everyone's arrival have them fill out an envelope with their name on it. You can give this all to mom after the party; it'll be a great timesaver when she sits down to write her thank you notes.
While planning a shower it's important to keep costs in mind so you don't go over budget. Many of these ideas are inexpensive and the more you do on your own, the less expensive it is. Baby showers are a lot of fun to plan and by adding some nice personal touches everyone is guaranteed to have a memorable day!