First Things First – A Theme

One of the first things the hostess needs to find out from the mother-to-be is what theme she would like her baby shower to have. If her nursery has a specific theme, ask if she would like her shower to match that theme. If she has no preference, that gives you a lot of leeway to come up with some great creative ideas. Also find out if the baby is a boy or girl, if they know, so your shower theme can match the sex of the baby.

Make a Guest List

Next is to get the guest list from the mother to be. This is important so no one is left out that she would like to be there. If she asks for help with this, or doesn’t quite know who all she should invite, help her out by guiding her to invite the people she sees and has contact with on a regular basis. More than likely though, she will not have a problem giving you this list of guests.

Location, Location, Location

Once you have the guest list, decide where you want to have the shower. This will depend on a few factors such as how many guests are invited, and available places to have the shower. If the shower is large, having it in someone’s home may not be feasible, so check around for places you could have the shower such as rec centers, and even restaurants that rent out party rooms. As long as it’s large enough to comfortably hold everyone, it will work out great. Reserve the spot for the shower and plan the date about 6 weeks before the due date of the baby.

Cordially Invited

Invitations need to be written up, including all the pertinent information the guests will need to know and mailed so they receive them about 4 weeks before the shower. Allow enough time to round up all the addresses so the invitations can be mailed. Ask that they RSVP by a date that is no less than 2 weeks before the shower so you and the other hostesses if there are any, have plenty of time to finish the organization.

It’s a Party!

Order or buy any baby shower decorations and favors that you will need or if you are making them, think about having a favor making party with the other hostesses. This can be a lot of fun for the organizers of the party as well.

Be on hand to answer any questions the guests of the shower has, which most often can be what to get the mother to be. If you are having a potluck shower, they will be letting you know what dish they will be bringing. Keep a list close at hand to write down information when guests call you or when you receive RSVPs so no one is forgotten.

Plan the menu of the shower if it is not a potluck event. Split this food list with the other hostesses if there are any, and choose a menu that is fun and enjoyable to eat as well as prepare. Napkins and cups and utensils will need to be purchased and party games planned. Also decide if you want music at the shower. This is not a requirement, but having soft music playing in the background is always enjoyable and soothing.

On the day of the shower, arrive in plenty of time to get everything set up without rushing and get ready to have an enjoyable evening of celebration for the mom to be.

Baby showers are given to the mother to be by friends or family members. It’s always a great idea for more than just one to come together to host the shower so all the cost is not on one person. It is considered poor etiquette to throw a baby shower for yourself.

What if it’s not the first baby?

Some people find a second baby shower perfectly fine, while others find it a bit tacky. The people who are against them usually are against the idea of gifts for a second (or third or fourth) shower, not the actual party. Even if the mom to be is not having her first child, don’t let that be a reason not to have a shower for her.

A baby shower is a celebration of a new baby, not just a first baby, so if you have a friend who is having her second or third child, don’t hesitate to throw her a shower. Keep the focus off the gifts and put the spotlight on the welcoming of a new family addition. Since she most likely will already have the larger items, such as a crib or stroller or bassinet, there are things that every new mom will need no matter what. If friends and family want to bring a gift to a “second baby” shower that is fine, but these do not need to be the focus. She will be very excited and thankful for the thought and celebration of their newest addition.

When Should I have it?

The best time to hold the baby shower is a month or two before the baby is due. Typically about 6 weeks before is a good time to shoot for. This allows for the possibility that the baby may make an appearance early. If the mother is on bed rest or is having a really difficult pregnancy, waiting until a month or so after the birth is fine, just be sure to let everyone know that is what is planned, including the mom to be so she doesn’t think she was forgotten.

How many people should we invite?

There is no set size or amount of people that have to be invited to the baby shower. Whoever the mom has on her invite list is who you should invite, even if it is 30 people. Just make sure that you have the shower in a place that will comfortably hold the number of people you are inviting.

Who should you invite?

Baby showers are typically for the mom to be and her female family and friends, but now all types of showers are becoming common, so if the father wants to be included, you can make the shower co-ed. Adjust the games accordingly and make sure everything is not just geared towards the mom to be but the parents to be. If the hostess of the shower is married to someone who is a friend of the dad-to-be, he could plan an outing for the men of the female guests and any children which could be enjoyable for everyone involved and take care of the issue of childcare.

Do I need to give guests gifts or favors?

An enjoyable part of baby showers is to give each guest a shower favor to remember the day by. These can be things like small potted plants, seed packets, tea or coffee baggies tied with decorative bows, soaps or candles. Anything that commemorates the shower works as a party favor for the guest to take home and remember the shower fondly.

What Does Mommy Think?

There is nothing wrong with asking the mother to be what type of theme she’d like unless the shower is a surprise. It doesn’t ruin anything for her because she still won’t see anything you’re doing until the shower, but you can be sure that she is getting what she really wants.

It’s a….

If she knows that she is having a boy or girl, ask her if she wants a theme that is gender specific or if she wants a more neutral theme. Having an “it’s a girl” or “It’s a boy” shower is very common and ensures that the clothes and stuff they receive will match the gender of their child. Be sure to put this in the invitations if it is gender specific shower. If the parents don’t know the sex, be sure to put that in the invitation, as well.

If you decide to do a gender specific shower (boy or girl) don’t just use all blue, or all pink. For a baby girl shower, you can use pink, white, and mint green together, or pink and yellow. For a baby boy, you can use blue and white, or blue, bright green and white. It makes it much more visually appealing and not an overload of pink or blue. Have fun and be creative with your color combinations.

Popular Choices

Some other popular baby shower themes are lady bugs, precious moments, Noah’s ark, bumble bees, Winnie the Pooh, Disney characters, and many, many others. No matter what style you like, there is a way to have it incorporated into a baby shower theme.

If you are surprising the mother to be with a shower, see if the grandmother to be knows the theme of the nursery or the sex of the baby and get her opinion as to whether she would enjoy a gender specific shower or want something more neutral. She will be happy to offer her help and will appreciate being asked.

Not all showers have to have a theme, but it’s a lot of fun to match shower favors to specific themes and since there are so many to choose from, it’s easy to find a theme that fits any mother to be’s personality.

The main thing is not to become a slave to the theme of the shower. It’s a guideline to go by, not what everything in the shower has to match. The theme becomes less special when it’s used for everything so if you go with a specific theme, be sure to use solid color plates and napkins in a coordinating color and don’t let the theme become too much so people are constantly barraged with it.

Hey Mr. Postman!

Traditional baby shower etiquette has always been that invitations are mailed and this is really the best way to send them today as well. Send the invitations about a month in advance, and ask for an RSVP by two weeks before the shower. If you send the invitations too early, it’s easy for people to forget about them, so a month is a good rule of thumb to follow. If you need more than two weeks to get everything purchased and planned, as in the case of ordering specialized favors, allow for this when you send the invitations.

Who’s Who – Make a List

When it comes to who to include on the baby shower invitation list, if it’s not a surprise party, simply ask the expectant mother who she would like to invite. Sometimes moms to be can have two showers; one for friends/co workers and one for family only. It doesn’t have to be like this though, so if you want to have an all inclusive shower, that isn’t against any baby shower rules.

Typically invitations are not sent to people that the mother to be is not in regular contact with because it can be seen as just a way to get gifts. When it comes to family, inviting relatives is customary, especially if they live in the same city. Whoever the mother to be puts on her list, be sure to invite. If it’s a surprise shower, enlist the help of the father to be and the grandmother to be. They will be a big help in getting together a list for you.

RSVP Please

When asking for an RSVP from the invited guests, give them a few choices to contact you such as your cell phone number, house number and email address. You will also want to put a deadline on the RSVP (1 or 2 weeks before it a good time frame) so you can get a final count early enough to buy food and favors. Just make sure you get a few extras for those guests who forget to RSVP at all (You will always have one or two).

Give The Important Details

Be sure to list on the invitation where the couple is registered, their nursery theme, and if they are having a boy or a girl. (If they know) Other important information to include is where the shower is being held, the address and directions to the shower location, and if there are certain games that will be played; including instructions to the games isn’t a bad idea either. That reduces the amount of explaining that will be necessary at the shower.

If the shower is a potluck, ask if the guests would like to participate in bringing a covered dish and ask that they let you know what you are bringing ASAP so there aren’t 5 of the same dish. If there is any food that is provided, be sure to list that in the shower. (i.e. if you are providing sandwiches or ham, or taking care of all paper goods, be sure to list that)

Baby showers are exciting events and they can be a lot of fun. If you are invited to a baby shower, be sure to be respectful of the hostess and RSVP as soon as you can so they can continue with their planning.

You can also do things a little more involved such as special centerpieces, candles, little lights and more. This is a time to get creative and have fun. If there is a specific theme to the shower such as Winnie the Pooh, or Fire trucks, be sure to coordinate the decorations with the theme.

Don’t Go Overboard

Decorations are not a requirement, but they add a lot to the shower and give it a very festive, celebratory feel so if you can afford it, definitely decorate. The mother to be and the guests will appreciate it, just don’t over do it. You don’t need to have every plate, napkin, and tablecloth decorated with the theme. Have solid colors mixed with the theme to avoid theme overload and to give more variety and visual appeal to the decorations for the guests.

Balloons can be blown up and left in clusters around the room, streamers of different colors can be intertwined and strung across the ceiling, tablecloths that match the theme can be put on the main table and then color coordinated tablecloths can be used on the other tables for eating if a meal is being served.

Footing the Bill

The cost of the decorations is the responsibility of those hosting the shower, so if cost is a factor, look at places such as craft stores and lower cost places to find your decorations. You can have a beautifully decorated shower without spending a fortune.

There is no rule as to how big or small you need to go with your decorations. If you are the one hosting the shower and you want to go all out and can afford it, then decorate as extravagantly as you choose. If money is tight there are plenty of no-cost and low cost decorations you can make that will look just as good, if not better, than store bought items.

Tasteful, inexpensive decorations and handmade banners or signs will add a personalized touch and show how much you care (maybe even more), even if it didn’t cost you a fortune. Decorating is fun, and when the mother to be and the guests walk in and see what you’ve done, all your hard work will be worth it.

Where Should I Put This?

Be sure to have waste cans on hand for dirty paper plates but keep them out of the mainstream of the party. Guests should be able to find them, but you don’t want cans full of trash visible to the guests and mother to be. The main food table can have flowers around the punch bowl and cake, as well as candles if you choose. You can also drape streamers around the food table for extra pizzazz.

Gift, Gift, Goose

Be sure to have a gift table set up so the guests know where to place their gifts and don’t forget to decorate this table as well. Little white lights are always a fun, whimsical thing to have and it adds sparkle to your event. It’s easy to string up white lights around tables and across the ceiling as well.

Whatever decorations you decide to go with, the main thing is to have fun and enjoy putting it all together. The mother to be will appreciate it and remember it for a long time to come, and the whole idea is to make it a memorable evening for her.

Timing is Everything

The time of the shower will usually determine whether you have lighter fare or a meal. Having the shower after lunch time, or before dinner time, can give you an option of just snack foods, while having it during the lunch or dinner hours usually requires you to have a reasonable meal for your guests.

If you decide to have a meal, having a potluck shower is a great way to spread the cost out among all the guests and have a variety of things to serve at the shower. If people are given plenty of notice, potluck showers are typically not a problem. The hostess or hostesses should take care of certain items and let the guests know what items are already taken care of.

If you are having finger foods and snack type foods, some great ideas are finger sandwiches wrapped in colored plastic wrap in pink or blue, deviled eggs, veggie trays with dip, chips and salsa, chips and queso sauce, meatballs, cocktail sausages, fruit bowl, peanuts, chips and dip, and things of that nature. This is probably the easiest type of shower to throw and most people love this type of finger foods. You can also choose to do spiral sliced ham, potato salad, and that type of fare as well where the guests can make their own sandwiches.

Food for the shower shouldn’t be purchased earlier than a day or two before the shower so anything that needs to be prepared can be, but there is no danger of the food spoiling or going stale. If it’s potluck, then making the dishes the hostess is responsible for can be done the night before or the morning of the shower.

Can I Get You A Drink?

Drinks can be sodas, water, or a special made punch. There are many types of punch recipes that are really tasty, but offer some variety for those who may not like punch. If you serve soda, be sure to have plenty of ice on hand, and offer non carbonated choices or non caffeinated choices for the guests who don’t drink soda or have caffeine.

Keep in mind that mommy can’t drink any alcohol so it is normally not served at a baby shower, but it really depends on the mom-to-be. She may be perfectly fine with adult drinks being served, or she might find less hard items such as wine, beer or champagne a good middle ground. It’s best to lean towards the new mother’s opinion on this though since it is her day and her feeling comfortable is the most important thing.

Sweets For The Sweet

Also be sure to have sweets to serve as well; a special cake is customary but also have brownies, cookies and candies available as well for variety. Almost everyone has a sweet tooth of some kind, so not having any sweets would be disappointing to the guests as well as the mom to be. The cake can be made homemade or bought at a bakery and decorated for the event with adorable little baby shower decorations on it. The flavor of the cake should be what the mom to be prefers, so be sure to ask what her favorite cake is.

It All Adds Up

The hostess of the shower pays for the food, so that will need to be taken into consideration, especially if the shower is large. If more than one person is throwing the shower for the mother to be, this cost will be split and each person will be responsible for a percentage of the cost, or certain food items.

The food does not need to cost a fortune, taking the effort to make it look like you did is usually better. Making a budget of how much you want to spend per person is usually a good idea, and warehouse stores can be a big savings if you need a large amount of food for a larger party.

Having a shower for someone does not mean you to have a feast fit for a king, but it will require at least a nicely laid out snack table for the guests that come to celebrate with you.

Ideas for baby shower gifts that are sure to please

Whether a mom-to-be is having her first child or her 4th, there are many things that she will need that are not very expensive at all, yet are a necessity. Blankets, bottles, and diapers are three of the big ones. Even if the mother is breastfeeding, she may need bottles to store milk in, or to let dad feed the baby once in awhile. Putting together a gift basket with bottles, rolled baby blankets and other little baby things like spoons, baby nail clippers, baby lotions, powders and baby wash is always a wonderful gift.

Some other great baby shower gifts are sleepers, hooded baby towels, picture frames, mini photo albums, growth calendars, even baby books so the mom to be can read to their child (even newborns love the sound of their mom and dad’s voice and it’s never too early to start reading to their child).

Consider the Nursery

Depending on what the nursery theme is, there are many gifts that can be purchased in the nursery theme, too. Themed crib sheets, wall decorations, or even a stuffed animal matched to the nursery can be a wonderful gift. Taking the time to find out what the baby’s room is decorated with can help make finding a gift much easier, and a great way to show you were really thinking of mommy.

Never Too Many Diapers

If you choose to buy diapers, buy them in a size one rather than newborn size. Even if the baby is small when it’s born, they outgrow newborn diapers fairly quickly, so having size 1 diapers on hand will be a big help. A mom to be can never have too many diapers so even if everyone bought a pack of diapers in addition to another gift, she will be thrilled. Not only are you providing something necessary, you’re helping them save money by not having to buy them on their own for awhile.

Baby Registry To The Rescue

If the parents-to-be are registered somewhere, find out where and take a look at what they need and want from that store. A Gift registry is your best bet for giving a gift that will be very appreciated and needed. You don’t have to choose the super expensive gifts such as cribs or strollers, anything on the list is something the mommy wants or will use. Sometimes friends, co-workers or family like to go in together for the larger items, so if you know others going to the shower, check with them to see if they want to chip in together for a larger item.

When the baby is due makes a difference for some gifts

Take into consideration when the baby is due. If the baby is a summer baby, don’t buy a newborn size warm sleeper because more than likely the baby wouldn’t get to wear it before they outgrow it. Lightweight sleepers are fine because babies have trouble regulating their temperature when they are first born, and super lightweight sleepers won’t overheat them, but taking season into consideration will ensure that you get clothes that the baby can wear right away.

If you think the mom will receive a lot of newborn clothes, buying a few things in a larger size such as 3-6 months or 6-9 months gives them something to look forward to wearing but again take season into consideration and buy things that are season appropriate for the size you choose.

Whatever gift you decide to give, the mom-to-be is going to be thrilled. If you love to make things and are crafty, there are many homemade things you can make as well such as blankets, bibs, personalized teddy bears and more. No matter what your budget is you can be sure to find something wonderful that you will be excited to give and she will be happy and grateful to receive.

Choices, Choices, Choices

You can choose all different kinds of baby shower favors, depending on what your use for the favors are. They can be personalized with the names of the shower guests and taken home as a keepsake of the shower, they can be used as game prizes for baby shower games, and they can just be used for added decorations that make the baby shower even more special and festive.

There are many types of favors available, so if you’re going to be using them as take home keepsakes for the guests, try and make them useful and practical such as mini picture frames, candles, soaps and items of that nature.

You can add the guest’s name to them if you choose, or the date of the baby shower and the last name of the baby unless the baby’s name is already decided and definite. Since baby names can change last minute, be careful using the baby’s name even if the parents to be sound sure. Many babies have ended up named something entirely different at the last minute!

If you’re using baby shower favors as prizes for baby shower games, also go for the more practical style and useful favors. Some ideas are candies, cookies, and even a gift basket of beauty things that would be good for any female at the party who won the game.

It’s Just For Fun, Not Profit

There are many places you can get baby shower favors, so spending a lot of money on them isn’t necessary. Usually you can expect to spend around $1-2$ dollars per favor, but even that can change if you find what you’re looking for in packages or make them yourself. Once the theme is decided, look around to see what is out there and see what you can find that compliments your shower theme. If you’re giving the favors as take home gifts, have one for each guest in attendance and plan for some extras so no one is left out by accident. There are almost always some last minute attendees, so planning ahead can avoid some awkward moments.

Whoever is planning the baby shower is usually responsible for getting all the decorations, invitations, favors and more. If you know that someone is planning a baby shower for a friend or family member of yours, it’s always nice to offer some financial help so that all of the expense doesn’t fall on one person.

Do It Yourself to Make It Special

Baby shower favors can be homemade as well, which make them even more unique and special, so don’t discount making them if you’re crafty. Homemade gifts and favors are very heartfelt and appreciated. Some cute and unique ideas are homemade cookie favors; tea bag favors in little baggies with pink or blue (or the theme colors) ribbon tying the bags closed, flower seed packet favors and more. Get creative and take a walk through the craft store to seed what they have and have some fun. You can even plan a favor making party for those hosting the shower.

Rainbow Theme Baby Shower Invitations:

• Get rainbow hued letter papers and print your invitations on them.
• You can also get little decorative umbrellas that have all the colors of the spectrum. Either write out the party details on the umbrella itself or attach a little note with all the details.

Rainbow Theme Baby Shower Decorations:

• Anything and everything that you want to use works great. The idea is to use as many colors as you possibly can.
• Put up balloons in every color that you can find.
• Multi colored streamers can really perk up the atmosphere.
• Create a garden with the mother-to-be’s favorite flowers.
• You could also create a huge rainbow at the entrance to the venue and place a small pot of gold at one end. Use the pot of gold to hold the party favors and ask the guests to take one as they leave.

Rainbow Theme Baby Shower Food:

• Blue blueberry muffins
• Green salad
• Yellow mashed potatoes with cheese. Yellow cheese pizzas, corn on the cob.
• Orange salsa with chips. Orange juice, papaya salad.
• Red watermelon balls and apple pie, penne pasta in arabiata sauces, chilli.
• Use a violet runner to decorate the table and get some orchids as centerpieces.

You can of course use food colors to get rainbow hued foods of your choice.

Rainbow Theme Baby Shower Games:

• Color games would be a great idea for this party.
• You can play a version of the four corners if you have a large party. Designate seven corners or locations as various colors. Turn on the music. When the music stops the guests have to choose a color and head that way. The mother to
• be picks out a color at random from a hat containing all seven colors. Guests who chose that color are out. As the number of players lessens keep removing one color at a time so in the end you have just two players and two colors.
• The player who does not get out in the end wins.
• Ask the guests to list out baby names related to color. Eg: Violet, Scarlet, etc. The guest with the best names wins. The mother to be of course decides the winner.

Rainbow Theme Baby Shower Party Favors:

• Little pots of gold filled with rainbow colored candy.
• Scented bath salts in rainbow colors.
• Potpourri in rainbow hues.

Copyright 2005, Andrea R Britt. All rights reserved.

The idea behind the shower is to have all the guests provide services to the mother to be – before or after the baby is born. These can include housekeeping services, making meals, babysitting, running errands or simply keeping the mother company. The idea behind the whole shower is to form a support group to help the mother to be pull through what is going to be the most tiring time of her life. Filled with wonder yes. But definitely tiring too!

Call In A Favor Theme Baby Shower Invitations:

• Design typical coupons and put in the details of the party. Mail them instead of handing them out. Ensure that the guests can immediately recognize that the mail is from you lest they think it is junk and throw it out.
• But small plastic telephones or miniature chocolate cell phones. Attach a note with the details of the party.

Call In A Favor Theme Baby Shower Decorations:

• You can design huge favor coupons similar to discount coupons and put them up around the room.
• Hang spiral wires like the cords of a telephone instead of streamers.
• Cut out large telephones from card paper and put them up on the walls.
• You can also put up words like SOS, Help, Thank You and Please on the walls to get into the mood of the theme.

Call In A Favor Theme Baby Shower Food:

• Design calling cards and use them to name the various items on the food table.
• Serve spiral pasta and a meal that can be prepared and stored in the fridge for at least a week. Simply reheat and eat. You can also give the recipes for all the dishes to the mother to be as part of the baby shower gift.

Call In A Favor Theme Baby Shower Games:

• Ask the guests to list all the favors that they would be willing to do for the mother to be. The guest with the most creative list or the list that appeals most to the mother to be wins.
• Ask the guests to list out all the excuses they can think of for getting out of doing favors! The guest with the shortest list wins!
• Make out a list of baby chores like feeding the baby, changing the baby, burping the baby and the like. Get a baby doll and ask each guest to perform each of the chores blindfolded. The best babysitter wins. This is a great
• opportunity for the mother to be to evaluate which of her friends she can trust to baby sit!

Call In A Favor Theme Baby Shower Party Favors:

• Gift coupons would be perfect as party favors.
• Chocolate telephones tied with a bow.
• Matchbooks designed like calling cards with chocolate mints inside.

Call In A Favor Theme Baby Shower Gifts For The Mother To Be:

The whole idea behind the theme is to give the mother to be favor coupons. Make a set of blank coupons and give 3 coupons to each guest. Each guest must then put down the exact favor that they are willing to do for the mother to be. Examples: Baby sit for 2 hours on a weekday / weekend. Do your laundry on a weekend. Make you 3 meals that you can store in the refrigerator.

The nature of the favor will of course be dependent on the relationship the guest shares with the mother to be. Office colleagues and not so good friends may choose simpler things like ‘Make a trip to the post office for you’ or something at work. Closer friends can help with more intimate tasks.

In addition to the favors, guests can also gift the mother to be things that would make her life easier to manage once the baby is born. A feeding bottle sterilizer, a cleaning service once a week for 2 months and the like.

Copyright 2005, Andrea R Britt. All rights reserved.