Baby showers are an American tradition and a much-anticipated part of an expectant mother's first pregnancy. Not surprisingly, the average baby shower hostess feels a measure of anxiety when it comes to planning this long-awaited party, and if it is her foray into the baby shower arena, the task can quickly become an overwhelming one. But planning a baby shower need not be a source of apprehension, and using this simple beginner's guide, even the most inexperienced hostess can throw a fun-filled and memorable baby shower.
The first order of business is to set a date for the baby shower. The ideal time to schedule the shower is when the expectant mother is 32 to 34 weeks pregnant, and you should allow yourself about 6 weeks of planning time before the party. Once the date is decided on, ask the mom-to-be to provide you with a list of names and addresses. This is your guest list. Prepare the invitations and send them out about 4 weeks before the date of the party.
The next thing to think about is decorations. Let the personality and style of the expectant mother be the starting place for the direction you will take with the baby shower. Is she super girly, or is she the no-frills type? Is she outgoing and bubbly, or is her personality more understated? Resist the temptation to plan the party according to your personal taste rather than the guest of honor's. You may want to choose a theme for the shower, but remember that this is not an essential element and may even complicate things unnecessarily. Instead, keep it simple - choose crepe paper streamers, a few bunches of helium balloons, and colorful paper tablecloths for your food and gift tables, and you're done!
Now is the time to decide on the menu as well. Finger foods are appropriate for almost every baby shower. A tray of veges with dip, cheese slices with crackers, cold cuts, "finger fruits" (strawberries, grapes, etc.) or fruit salad, muffins, and punch would make for a beautiful spread of food. If you have a little more time or a flair for the culinary arts, you could add a bowl of homemade pasta salad, or even some mini quiches (from the freezer section, just heat and serve) to this list. And don't forget the cake! A simple sheet cake from a local grocery store is all you need, but your local bakery is at your disposal as well if you would like to serve something a little more impressive.
The last element of the baby shower that you need to think about ahead of time is games. A quick internet search for free baby shower games will return a host of options. This is definitely another area where you want to keep the expectant mom's personality and taste in mind. If she is quiet and introverted, she might be uncomfortable with anything obnoxious or embarrassing, like eating fake baby poop out of a diaper. On the other hand, if mom-to-be is more flamboyant, she might not want to sit and watch her guests do a baby word-search. If you are unsure, the best policy is to ask the expectant mother if there are any games she had in mind, and if there are any she would rather avoid. Again, let her preferences be your guide.
The final item to check off your list before the day of the baby shower is a gift for the baby. When you are hosting a baby shower, there is nothing more perfect than a diaper cake. The cake displays beautifully as the baby shower centerpiece, and you can use it to play a guessing game. Have your guests guess how many diapers are in the cake. A diaper cake is a stylish way to give the most practical item on every registry - diapers! And you can't beat the versatility - you get a centerpiece, a game, and a gift all in one, which saves you money, and when you are hosting a baby shower, that's a must.
The day before the baby shower, you will want to make sure all your prep work is done. If you are hosting the shower in your home, be sure you clean it thoroughly! Cut cheese slices, make the pasta salad or fruit salad, hang streamers, order the balloons (but tell them not to inflate them until the morning of the shower,) and pick up the cake. Be sure you have all the last minute essentials, like plates and cups. A good size (clean!) trash can and large trash bags are also a good idea.
The morning of the shower, pick up the balloons and place odd numbered bunches in a few strategic locations - behind the gift table, on either side of the entryway, and behind the seat of honor for the mom-to-be. Use good-sized baby care items for balloon weights, like baby powder or baby lotion. And don't forget the mailbox! This will help guide your guests in. As they arrive, greet each one at the door, show them in and introduce them to anyone they might not know.
At the appointed time, welcome your guests and thank them for coming. Start with a round of introductions. Have everyone state who they are and how they know the mom-to-be. Then it's time for games. These will further break the ice among the guests and get everyone in a "baby" sort of mood. After 2 or 3 games, send the mom-to-be to the food table first. When she returns, send your guests. Once the guests are situated with their food, the guest of honor should be mostly done eating, and she can open her gifts while the guests have food to munch on. As the hostess, it's a good idea for you to jot down a list of who gave what gift for the mom-to-be to refer to when she is writing thank yous. After the gifts are opened, cut the cake. This gives everyone a reason to mingle and converse for a little while longer, and provides a more natural ending to the party than the somewhat abrupt "Well, the gifts are all opened, that's all folks!" Most people will begin to disperse within 20 to 30 minutes after the cake is cut.
And now you can congratulate yourself - you've just completed your first successful baby shower. It will likely be the first of many. Baby showers are joyful occasions that present the opportunity to bless a friend, while putting your creativity to work and showing off your style. When the opportunity comes along again, it will be hard to pass up.
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