Throwing a Baby Shower Your Guests Will Remember
By Jennifer Barnett
Are you in charge of planning a baby shower? Do you need a baby shower
theme? Decorations? Favors? This guide will give you baby shower
ideas, whether you are a sister, friend, or coworker.
Baby Shower Themes
The first and most difficult thing to do when planning a baby shower is to
decide on a theme. After this has been finalized, much of the rest of the
shower will plan itself.
There are several ways to pick a theme.
A baby shower theme can relate to the mother-to-be and what she needs.
It can be a color, a nursery theme, or a specific type of item. For
instance, if the nursery is decorated in flowers, the theme could be "A Baby's
Garden." If it is decorated in a sports motif, the theme could be the
parents' favorite sports team. All the gifts would then coordinate with
the room. If the nursery is painted with frogs, the theme could be
"Green." This way, the guests can be a little more creative in their
giving. Or the theme could be "Bedtime," prompting guests to bring
pajamas, blankets, and crib items.
For a second (or third, or fourth) time mother, the theme can be really
creative. For someone who already has almost everything they need, a theme
such as "Reading," in which everyone brings books for the baby (and maybe for
the older children as well) would be a nice change of pace.
Some people do not like to attend showers for second time mothers, because
they feel that they have already received what they needed for their first child
and are just being greedy. If you feel this may be the case for your
guests (such as a group of coworkers), throw a baby shower in which the
invitation clearly states not to bring a present. Or spend some money on a
nice gift (for instance, a gift certificate to a restaurant, spa, or hotel), and
ask that guests bring a specific item (diapers, specific baby food) in exchange
for a raffle ticket. They can even bring as many items as they would like
in exchange for several tickets. That way, people who wish to be generous
can still give the mother-to-be a useful gift, and no one feels obligated to
bring anything. At the end of the night, raffle off the prize.
Some other theme ideas include:
Look What the Stork is Bringing
Noah's Ark (good for a shower where the guys are invited too!)
Alphabet Soup
Blue is for Boy
Baby Shower Decorations
The decorations should flow from the theme. A color theme is the most
flexible and inexpensive, although a specific theme such as "Teddy Bears" will
be easy, as you can buy coordinating tablecloths, plates, and napkins.
Keep the decorations simple. Put a nice tablecloth under the cake and
spread some confetti rattles around it. Tie some balloons to the buffet or
appetizer table. Add some pastel streamers across the living room, and
you're done. After all, the focus should be on the mother-to-be.
If you are having the shower at work, the decorations can be even
easier. Simply put the cake under a white tablecloth and add a bouquet of
balloons. A lunchtime event is perfect for the office. Many of the
baby shower ideas will work for any location, indoors or out.
Baby Shower Favors
After the shower, give your guests something to remember it by. Candle
holders in the shape of a baby item, such as a rattle or booties, are popular
and easy to find online or in a party supply store. Other favor ideas
include magnets or candies in a pretty gift box. Of course, let the favors
flow from the theme. At "Tea Party" themed baby shower, guests might
receive tea cups and saucers. At a "Pamper Party," an idea increasingly
popular for mothers who already have several children and therefore most of the
stuff they actually need, they might take home spa accessories such as a loofah
or bubble bath.
Baby Shower Schedule
Typically, a baby shower will last approximately two hours. If a full
meal will be served, be sure to indicate this on the invitation so guests can
plan accordingly. Usually, however, some light appetizers, punch, and cake
are all that is needed. The following is a general idea of a schedule.
As your guests arrive, serve them some appetizers, and let them sign a guest
book. One idea is to make this an advice book, allowing each guest to
write down one piece of advice they would give the new mother.
Serve simple appetizers. Two to three dishes is best, along with some
cheese, crackers, chips, dip, and fruit. Some ideas for munchies that are
easy and can be made ahead of time include:
Deviled Eggs: Add salsa and cheddar for a Mexican twist! Stuffed
Mushrooms
After all your guests have arrived, begin with everyone introducing
themselves. This is especially important if this is a mixed shower, with
coworkers, friends, and family. Make sure everyone mentions how they know
the mother-to-be.
Next, play one or two games. These will serve as icebreakers.
Some ideas include:
Baby Boggle - See how many baby related words guests can make in three
minutes from a sentence such as "I can't believe [Mother-To-Be's Name] is going
to have a baby!" or something else silly and fun. Everyone reads their
list, crossing off duplicates, and the person with the most remaining wins.
Baby Box - Place some common baby items (rattle, diaper) in a box. Cut
a small hand-sized hole in the side. Give each guest 20 seconds to touch
as many items as they can (no peeking!), then have them write down what they
felt. The person with the most correct wins.
Remember, short is good, and have fun!
If there is going to be a full meal, now is the time. Generally,
a buffet is best, as the guests can eat while the mother-to-be opens her
gifts. If there is not going to be a full meal, give everyone some time to
get another round of appetizers, then have the guest of honor open her
presents.
After the gifts are open, serve the cake. At this point, the shower is
over. Everyone will socialize for as long as they'd like, and the guests
will begin to leave. If the time is important (i.e. the host has somewhere
she needs to be), be sure to put an end time of the invitations.
Hopefully this gave you enough baby shower ideas to begin
brainstorming. Remember to have fun, and you'll throw a successful baby
shower.
About the Author Jennifer Barnett is a successful party planner providing valuable tips and advice on planning a baby shower that is inexpensive, fun for the guests with baby shower games, and choosing the perfect baby shower gift. Her numerous articles offer moneysaving tips and valuable insight. Print her "Baby Shower Checklist" to help you plan and organize the upcoming event!
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