Step1
Give yourself plenty of time to plan. Showers usually take place in the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy.
Step2
Decide whether the shower is for women only. Traditionally, you throw a baby shower for the mother-to-be, with only female friends and relatives as guests. But today, showers that include men - with both expectant parents as guests of honor - have become increasingly popular.
Step3
Determine the time of day and location - making sure above all that it's convenient for the guest(s) of honor - and approximately how many guests you'd like to invite.
Step4
Decide whether to make the shower a surprise. Keep your honorees' personalities in mind - remember that not everyone likes surprises.
Step5
Think about possible shower themes, such as teddy bears, bottles or balloons. Or pick a gift theme like 'Around the House,' assigning each guest to bring a baby gift for use in a different room - the kitchen, the bedroom, the bathroom and so forth. (It's OK to ask for more than one gift per room.)
Step6
Create a guest list. If the shower is not a surprise, consult the guests of honor about whom they'd like to invite; if it is a surprise, consult a close friend or relative to make sure you don't leave anyone out.
Step7
Send out invitations at least three weeks in advance. Include directions, surprise-party instructions if applicable, and the theme, if you've chosen one. If possible, mention the color scheme and theme of the baby's room as well.
Step8
Find out if the parents-to-be are registered for gifts at a particular store. Have this information ready in case any of the guests ask.
Step9
Make a table centerpiece composed of flowers, a basket and candles, bouquets of baby socks or a baby doll - or buy a centerpiece at a party store. Coordinate the centerpiece and decorations with your theme, if you've chosen one.
Step10
Decide if you want guests to play any games. If so, buy small gifts for the winners - some possible prizes could be plants, blank books, candles and bookmarks.
Step11
Make food, buy takeout or hire a caterer. Don't forget supplies - cups, plates, napkins and utensils.
Step12
At the shower, keep track of presents as the guests of honor open them - this will help them when they're writing thank-you notes.
Host a Baby Shower
Comments
Anonymous said
on 3/13/2006 Be sure to prepare extra games. I had planned the toilet paper game and the night before my sisters shower, she fell and ended up on crutches! That was the game that was supposed to take the most time!!
Anonymous said
on 1/16/2006 That is poor etiquette, and assumes the guest of honor does not have enough time or desire to address envelopes herself.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 In some cultures, baby showers are considered very bad luck. Try to figure out if this is the case if you are thinking of giving a surprise baby shower. I would be horrified if anyone gave me a baby shower, and that is purely cultural. It is a visceral reaction, not a lack of gratitude.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 No, don't put the registry info ON the invitation, but yes, do include registry info on a separate card (some stores provide them) with the invitation. It's a baby shower invitation, so it is a solicitation for gifts and any information you provide to guests is helpful. Guests should not feel obligated to buy from the registry if they have another idea in mind (i.e., a handmade gift).
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Have the thank you cards at the shower and ask guests to self address envelopes as they arrive. They can be used for a door prize drawing at the shower and make it tons easier for parents-to-be to send out their thank you notes.