How to Host a Baby Shower in a snap!

I've thrown many showers while in the ministry, and had this down to a science!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Scissors
• Various Baby Items
• Balloons Pink/Blue
• 2-3 Door Prizes
• Cake
• Mints
• Mixed Nuts
• Pens/paper
• Orange Sherbet
• Hawaiian Punch
• Punch Bowl/Ladle
• Cups/Napkins/Forks/Plates
• Invitations/Guest List
• Safety Pins
• 7-up or Sprite

1. Obtain Guest Mailing List/Use to also list as the Gift Record
   Mail out Invitations w/map/Keep track of RSVP's and Regrets
2. Place Cake Order with Bakery 2 weeks in advance
3. Purchase:
   Peanuts
   Coffee/Creamer
   Paper plates
   Napkins
   Forks
   Hot/Cold cups
   Balloons
   Streamers
   Hawaiian Punch -mix into punch bowl
   7-up or Sprite -mix into punch bowl
   Orange Sherbet -mix into punch bowl
   A basket filled with numerous baby necessities, paper powder, diaper ointment, thermometer, clippers, nasal ball, hat, booties, travel sized baby wipes Binky, Bottle, Bottle Brush, Baby shampoo, Baby Soap.
   Purchase 2-3 door prizes to give guest who wins during the party games.
4. Day of the event, place a sign out near the turn to your house saying Mom's first name, arrange the balloons, streamers. For the table, make punch by mixing the 1/2 gallon of sherbet, 7-up or Sprite, and Hawaiian punch to make the punch. Then, make coffee 15 minutes prior to party starting, offer each guest a beverage, punch or coffee. At that time hand each guest their safety pin, and ask the ladies not to say the word BABY or else someone can take their safety pin away, the guest with the most pins wins!
5. After all guests have arrived, go around the room have the new mom to be introduce each guest and how she knows them. Then proceed to pass out the pens and paper asking each guest to mark it from 1-15. Announce its the "Memory Game" and their job is to glance at the basket and try to recall what is in it, because after walking around the room slowly but not stopping, the basket is placed out of sight while guest try to list as many items they can recall. The guest with the most correct answers wins.
6. Open presents while cake is being cut and placed on plates, half way through the gifts, ask the guests to look underneath their plate and ask the guests to take a moment to see if they have a star on the bottom of their plate, if so, they are the winner.

Tips & Warnings

• I listed three games. Two is plenty, you can judge by the size of the crowd. Some times larger crowds, its always nice to have more than one game to play. Ask the guest sitting closest to the guest of honor if they would be willing to write down the gift items on the guest list. This will help keep track for the mom-to-be when she sends out her thank you cards.
• Peanuts, some individuals are allergic to nuts. The Punch, using Sherbet ice cream, you may wish to advise guests that there is dairy in the punch for those who are lactose intolerant. Also, I light a fragrant Vanilla or Peach Candle, usually about an hour before the party, and keep it in guest bathroom.