So, you’re having a baby!  Now let’s get to the fun part, “the Baby Shower”

Baby showers aren’t only to get great things that your baby needs and save you from having to spend all of that money yourself, but a Baby Shower is also a time to get all your family and friends together to celebrate a special time in your life.  It can be lots of fun! Discover what to do for Baby Shower Favors and more!

 

Who will give you the baby shower?

Of course this is different for everyone, some people have more than one baby shower, given by different people for example; someone in your family may give you a baby shower, then maybe your co-worker’s will give you a baby shower.

 

If no one mentions anything about giving you a baby shower, then perhaps you could mention it to your mother, sister or friend.  You could always give yourself a baby shower.  Most people feel uncomfortable doing this for themselves, but who’s going to know right?

When to have a baby shower?

The best time to have a baby shower is usually in the third trimester around the 7th or 8th month.  Many women already know the gender of their baby by this time, which is great for knowing whether to buy pink or blue.

Baby Gift Registry:
The idea of a Baby Gift Registry is that you don’t get duplicate gifts and you get what you know that you need for your baby.  Most of your favorite baby supply stores have Baby registries.  You can either go to the store and scan in the items you need, or create an online registry at your favorite store and pick out the items online.  The only problem with an online baby registry is that the store doesn’t always have the same items inside their store as they have online.  But the good thing about an only baby registry is that people who are out of town can go online and order your gift for your baby.  You may even want to do both.  You can also register at more than one store if you want.

Baby Shower Invitations:
Now that you’ve got the date and time that you want to have your baby shower, you can make a list of guests who you’d like to invite.  It’s always best to make this list because you don’t want to leave anyone out, some people can get upset over these little mistakes.  Once you have your list made out, ask your husband/partner and another close friend or family member to double check the list for you, they may think of someone that you forgot about. 

Next it’s time to make out your Baby Shower Invitations.  If you are using a theme for your baby shower, such as, Pooh Bear, you may want to match your baby shower invitations to your theme. You will most likely send these out about 2 – 3 weeks prior to the baby shower.  Be sure to include the date; time; and place of the shower, as well as, directions to the party.  If you know the gender of the baby, include this information too.  Also if you are registered anywhere, let them know this in the invitation.  It’s also a cute idea to save one of your baby shower invitations to put in your Baby’s memory book.

Refreshments:
The invitations are sent.  In the meantime, you can start planning your refreshment menu.

• The cake – It’s no party without cake right? If you are sticking to a theme, you will probably like the cake to match.  Go to a local bakery and see what they have to offer.  If they don’t have anything you like, if you find a picture of something you like and take it to them, they will usually work with you to make what you want.  Be sure to tell them how many guests you plan on serving, so you’ll have enough cake for everyone at the party. This carousel cake to the right is a really cute idea for a baby shower. Click on the picture to take you to our Baby Shower cakes and instructions.
• Beverages – It’s best to have a few choices for everyone; some good choices include; the classic Punch Bowl Drink; a Soda choice; and bottled waters, for all those dieters out there.  The most popular choice will be the Punch.  Look online for some good Punch recipes.
• Food/Snacks – Most Baby showers tend to stick to finger foods, such as sandwich triangles or chicken strips, vegetable and fruit trays, cheese log & crackers, chips, and a few sweet items such as cookies.  You have the cake so you don’t need many sweet items on your menu.

Baby Shower Games:
Once you have the menu planned out, you need to work on the entertainment.  There are many fun and very funny baby shower games.  My all time favorite is called
“Baby Q&A” it goes like this;
Each person at the shower receives two strips of paper, they will write a question related to babies on one strip of paper and then they will answer that question on the other strip of paper.

Once everyone has their question and answers, they will fold their strips in half and put their questions into one hat and their answers in another hat.

The hat will be passed around to everyone playing the game; everyone will choose one question and one answer from each of the hats. They shouldn’t be able to see what question and what answer they are choosing.  The idea is to get a question for one subject such as “how to change a diaper” and the answer to another question such as “How to boil nipples” So when everyone reads out their question and answer, it will be something like; Q: How do you change a diaper? A: Put them in boiling water for 5 – 10 minutes.  You will get some very funny results!

It’s also a good idea to give out prizes for the people who win these baby shower games, it makes for better competition.

Baby Shower Favors:
This isn’t necessary but it is a very nice gesture to your guests who came to give them a small party favor just as a “thank you for coming” Chocolate or candy is always a good choice attached with a thank you note. Your price range should be no more than a few dollars for each little baby shower favor. Here are some Cute Baby Shower Favor ideas;

• decorative candles are a great baby shower favor.
• if you're having a girl. Use pink candy tied off with a bow and a thank you note.
• decorative soaps also make a nice baby shower favor.
• miniature fruit baskets.
• picture frames
• scented lotion is one of the best party favors, women love scented lotion. Choose a pink color of lotion for girl and blue for a boy.
• Baby shaped containers filled with candy.
• Collectible figurines with your baby's birthstone are nice, such as precious moments collectibles.

When choosing a baby shower favor, keep in mind that you don't want to spend too much but you do want to make sure how appreciative you are of their gifts and for them coming to your party.

 

Party Time:
Enjoy your baby shower party and getting to visit with all your friends and family.  When you are opening your gifts, have someone write down a list of what the gift was and who gave it to you.  You will need this later, when you are sending out your Baby Shower Thank you notes.

Baby Shower Thank you notes:
Be sure to send everyone who came to your shower or got you a gift a Thank you note.  This lets everyone know that you truly appreciate their company and all of the generous gifts.