When taking on the task of hosting a baby shower, you need to remember two important rules.
1. Keep it simple
2. Stick to your budget
Planning a baby shower can be an overwhelming task. The best way to organize this blessed event is to get out your notepad and pencil and start taking notes.
First you will need to pick a theme for the shower. Start out by talking to the expectant mother. By now, the mother-to-be has probably chosen her nursery theme. When ever possible use the nursery theme for the shower. If not, pink and blue are simple and easy to find, along with other baby themed supplies.
Now, that you have a theme chosen, write it down in your note book. Everything you do will evolve around your theme like picking out your invitations.
When selecting the right invitation consider virtual invitations. You can make them up on your word processing system and pasted to your email. If you want to be traditional, you can send out hand-made cards, purchased cards, or post cards. Your options are only as limited as your creativity and your cash flow.
Once the invitations are sent, it is time to go shopping for party supplies. You'll need dinnerware, decorations, table coverings, party favors, and game prizes. If you're on a low budget shop around at your local dollar store, and clearance aisles for game prizes and paper ware.
Browse the internet places like Ebay, orientaltrading.com, and other sites carry a large variety of party supplies in a variety of colors, packages, and themes.
While you're out, don't forget to buy a gift. New mothers always need diapers, wipes, and plenty of rest. So don't be afraid to get a card and put in a couple of babysitting coupons. If she's a trendy mom try a new diaper bag filled with travel accessories. Or maybe you'd prefer to give the mother a gift, just for her, that's nice too. After all, she is the one going through labor, a nice pair of socks or a night gown for the hospital would do. What ever it is you decide, she will appreciate it your thoughtfulness.
Let's not forget the cake. Check out your local grocery store, Wal-Mart, or bakery for this confection. If you have a relative in the family, or friend who can make decorated cakes, get together with them to create the main attraction on your food table.
Keep your food table light, simple, and tasteful. Finger foods work best for mingling guest and chatty aunts. You don't need to serve a banquet meal. Little cakes, cookies, sandwiches, pretzels and chips go well with flavored punch complimented by a few small desserts. Ask a few friends and relatives to pitch in and help supply the food.
Great games involve lots of laughs and anticipation. Try shower bingo while the mother-to-be opens her gifts. Guest write down guesses of what they think the mother will get on a blank bingo card. Play a little baby trivia, or jeopardy placing groups of guest in teams. Unscramble baby words, or have an outdoor scavenger hunt for baby items if your parting in the back yard.
Party favors are a simple reminder to guest of their attendance of the party, or a sweet snack to munch while they wait for other guests to arrive. They are not necessary, but they are pretty. Take a piece of white fabric, cut with scalloped scissors, place a safety pin on tip, maybe a colored bow, and with a thin fabric marker write "Baby Smith" and due date. You can put a magnet on back for their fridge. Candy bars with special made wrappers are nice and so little bookmarks with sayings about being a mother. Choose favors that mix and blend with your theme.
Have each guest fill out an envelope with their name and address at their place setting. Gather the envelopes to draw for a prize, then while the mother is opening her gifts sit beside her with a stack of thank you cards blank on the inside. While she opens the gifts write inside the card the name of the giver and the gift. Later when the shower is over she can match it up with the envelopes, add her own personal note, and send them out.
Later, when the shower is over, you can sit back with your feet propped up and relax. Tomorrow you can clean up.