Congratulations, you’re either expecting a baby, or know someone who is! Whatever the scenario, you’re here looking for tips on planning a baby shower. Something seemingly simple, a baby shower actually can be quite the task. Just like any other planned party, you have a bunch of tasks to accomplish. Plus, there’s a very pregnant mommy-to-be at the center of attention! Read up on our guide to planning a baby shower in order to pull off the best pre-welcome party ever.
Who Plans The Party?
The baby shower planner can be absolutely anyone at all, from the mom-to-be’s sisters and friends to her partner. The person who plans the day can also act as the host, coordinating between tasks and making sure things flow smoothly. It can be helpful to delegate depending on how big your party is. This way, the food and drinks are looked after, while the party’s many activities can also flow smoothly. The end goal? To make sure that the mom-to-be isn’t stressed, and is instead enjoying the party to soon welcome her baby.
Most people host a baby shower during the last trimester of their pregnancy.
When Should You Have A Baby Shower?
There are a couple of things for you to consider when planning just when to have the baby shower. The comfort of the mom-to-be comes first. Most people celebrate a baby shower when she’s 7 months pregnant, or late in the second trimester. The mom is relatively comfortable, has enough energy, and can move around with ease at this point of the pregnancy. Plus, this gives the parents enough time to organize the gifts post the shower and make note of what more’s needed to stock up on all baby essentials.
Most baby showers happen around lunchtime on a weekend. This way, most, if not all your guests will be free to make it. Whatever you do, make sure you don’t schedule it on a holiday for a festival or a big occasion. A regular weekend works best.
Determining The Guest List And Budget
As with any party, how many people you call and the budget go hand in hand. We recommend finalizing a budget before anything else; this way, everything else can fall into place. The person who plans the shower is in charge of most of the major decisions, including who to invite. However, the mother-to-be could also be consulted regarding who she’d like to invite to the shower. This is to make sure you don’t miss out on anyone important.
Remember to also consider things like the weather (you may need an indoor party), the location (do you need a bigger location for the people you’ve invited?) and the mom-to-be’s own preferences. As much as you want to invite scores of people, there’s no sense if the center of attention will just feel tired and frustrated with the crowd!
Send out the invitations at least 3 weeks before the party, making sure to ask them to RSVP. This gives them enough of a heads up to keep their day free, and to also get a gift for the mom-and-baby duo. You can also have a baby shower gift registry as a way to ensure guests don’t land up buying too much of one particular thing.
Finalizing A Location
Your location will go hand in hand with your budget and the number of people you call. Keep one important thing in mind – it needs to be comfortable for the expectant mom. If you’re having a big bash in a hall, make sure there’s a room where the mom can rest, wash up, get into another change of clothes, or anything else she may need. If you’re out in a park or a garden, make sure she carries enough supplies and there’s a place for her to sit comfortably.
Wherever you choose has to be easily accessible for the mom. Also think of the weather when planning the baby shower. Is it rainy and damp, or very cold for an outdoor party? Is the weather too hot and potentially unbearable for an expecting mom? These details will only help you make a good party even better and more enjoyable for your guests.
Menu & Decor When Planning A Baby Shower
Make sure you finish finalizing the menu and getting the catering in place at least 3 weeks before the party. When finalizing the menu for the baby shower, make sure you ask the guest of honor what she’d prefer. Pregnancy brings along several changes that throw a woman’s body for a toss, and one of them is taste and smell.
Ask her what she’s craving and whether she’s allowed to have it, so you know what your must-haves are. Some women may feel nauseated when there’s something like egg, meat or mayonnaise around. Make sure you also know what you need to avoid so the mum-to-be doesn’t spend her time feeling sick. Consider serving mini portions of everything along with finger foods, and make it self-serve so guests can help themselves. Don’t forget to get a nice cake for mom-to-be to cut!
You can also go crazy with the theme, or simply pick the expecting mom’s favorite color and run with it. You can have a punny baby shower with eye-rolling puns if the mum-to-be is known as a witty wordsmith herself. Go for a movie-themed party, complete with themed balloons and matching paper plates. Or, pick a few pretty shades of yellow, purple, or green and use that as the theme instead.
Planning The Agenda & Baby Shower Favors
A baby shower usually involves some games, opening the gifts, followed by eating. The key is to keep the flow of the party going so guests are entertained and the guest of honor isn’t overwhelmed. You can also have a little dancing, but this is more for the guests than for the mom. Make sure to include some light-hearted fun, like a jar of fun advice for the parents-to-be. You could also have the guests get creative – buy some white onesies and baby-friendly paint for them to design away. The baby can wear these once it’s earth-side.
Baby shower favors don’t have to be much of a big deal – a great option is to give guests a single, small potted plant or succulent. You could also gift them tealight candles with the date of the party on a card, or even opt for cute cupcakes to go with the theme!
Let the mom-to-be also enjoy the process of planning a baby shower.
Conclusion
The important things are always covered when planning a baby shower, but once it’s actually on, make sure everyone has fun. After all, it’s a celebration and preparation for the oncoming of a special little person. But on a more practical level, suggest the ImmunifyMe app to the mom-to-be. The app can help her keep track of her baby’s vaccinations, many of which will start off right from birth, as well as a load of other features. Being prepared can make the transition into new parenthood that much easier, and that’s just what the app does.
FAQs On Planning A Baby Shower
Who Is Supposed To Plan A Baby Shower?
Traditionally, it was a sister, mother, mother-in-law or close friend of the expectant mother who hosted a baby shower. But today, absolutely anyone can do this, including the mother’s partner or the mom herself!
When Should You Start Planning A Baby Shower?
You should start planning a baby shower at least a month before the intended date of the party. This will be around the middle or end of the second trimester. This gives you enough time to prep and send out invitations to guests.
What Is A Reasonable Budget For A Baby Shower?
You can have any sort of limit for a baby shower. You can host a low-budget shower at home or in someone’s backyard, with a small, close-knit group of people. Or, you could book a banquet hall and invite as many people as you’d like. Remember to take the expectant couple’s wishes into consideration!
What Does A Baby Shower Consist Of?
A baby shower usually includes a few games, opening the gifts, a meal and a few drinks. Of course, this can change depending on the kind of shower you throw.