Showering the Mom and sometimes the Dad with friendship and love is the motivation behind a baby shower.

Many people are electing to hold the function after birth. This way the appropriate clothing can be given.

It also gives Mom an easy way for many people to meet before the birth. This eliminates a constant stream of visitors post-birth when both mom and the kid need rest. Check with the mom-to-be to see when she would prefer a shower.

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Ask the mother-to-be for a complete list of guests she would like at her event. Once you have an idea of how large the event will be you can start making arrangements within your budget and time constraints.

Do check our Diaper Bag Collection for a gift for the new parent.

Table of Contents

Baby Shower Guide

TEN EASY STEPS for the perfect Baby Shower

Who will plan

Anyone can host a ceremony for the new “parents to be”. It can be a family member, a friend, or a co-worker. If it is a surprise event, then the family can help out with the guest list and gift items.

Budget

To determine how much the event will cost, you will need to know the number of guests, the location, the menu, what type of party favors, and how many game prizes you will need.

Guest List

Organize your guest list by asking the parents-to-be who they would like to have. Usually, this includes friends and family, but a few close co-workers may also be invited.
Get address, phone numbers, and email addresses. Decide if it will be a “girl’s only” or “couples”.

Theme

Baby showers are fun! Be a kid again with teddy bears and stuffed animals. Or invite couples and do a buffet or outdoor party. Whatever theme you choose, remember this will be the child’s first party. Have fun!

Selecting the menu

Although your menu should reflect your theme, the time of day is as important – as well as the number of guests.
Make this a day of celebration for the Mother-to-be or parents-to-be, her guests, and yourself.
Consider the amount of time and room available for the shower, as well as any special dietary needs of the mom-to-be and her guests.

Location

Choose a location that is easy to get to and will accommodate the needs of the party. Generally, infant sprinkles are held at the home of the host. Have an idea of how many people you expect before arranging any final details.

Select the date

It is normally around 6 weeks before the due date. However, some mothers are electing to have the party after the child is born. These are generally held on weekends.
Try to make the time and day convenient for everyone including any out-of-town guests.

Selecting the time

If most of the guests attending the function work, then an evening or weekend will work best.
Consider a weeknight for a change of pace if everyone lives near each other. If you choose a weekend date, plan your function early enough in the day for all who must travel to attend.
Be sure to keep in mind the Mother’s schedule (naps, doctors’ appointments, etc.).

Invitations

Invitations can range from the casual (a phone call) to the most formal (printed invitations).
You decide what will work for your event. Be sure to include all necessary contact information. Consider also including your email if you check it every day.

Entertainment

As guests arrive, introduce them to one another. As a unique conversational item, ask your guests to wear a small photo of their child on their shirt. Who doesn’t love to brag about their child?!?
Another way to break the ice is to provide name tags with a small note, such as, “I attended grammar school with Susie”. This is a sure way to start conversations.
Make sure to offer your guests liquid refreshments and whatever else you have provided. Set the mood with lighted candles, flowers, and decorations. You want your guests to enjoy the day (or evening) as much as the guest of honor.

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List of Baby Shower Tips

Choose the kind of party you can do best. Accept your time, budget, and equipment limitations.
Coordinate your invitations, decorations, party favors, and food. Create a mood!
Plan games and activities that your guests will enjoy.
Check your supplies way ahead of time. Linen, silver, tables, dishes.
Select unique party favors. Personalized Party Favors
Employ students for serving and cleanup.
Avoid time-consuming dinners. Choose a menu with which you are familiar.
Always overestimate the amount of food you will need. Make sure you have chafing dishes or hot plates.
Have someone else at the party be in charge of taking pictures. Chances are, you will be busy. If you get a lot of great shots, you can make a memento album for the parents later.
Don’t forget the guest bathroom. Add extra touches like scented soap and lotion. Keep tissue and feminine items in an obvious place.
Clean and cook ahead of time. Do not wait until the last minute.
Plan seating that will encourage lively conversation.
When serving buffet style, be sure you have enough tables or lap trays.
Create your mood through lighting, music, and decorations.
Pay attention to your guests. Know when they are ready to move on to the next phase of the party.
It can be a little awkward at first. A few close friends arriving early can create an instant party buzz.
Do not wait until the last minute!

Six weeks before the baby shower

Set time and date with Mother-to-be
Prepare a guest list with couple’s help so you don’t overlook someone
If it is a surprise, contact the couple’s friends or parents to help with a guest list
Reserve the date as soon as possible if you are planning to hold the event at a restaurant
Make or purchase invitations
Reserve a caterer if you are using one
Start thinking about decorations

Four weeks before the party

Plan a menu and start planning who will bring what (if this is a group effort)
Decide on what games you will play and gather necessary props
Decide on game prizes you will award and start shopping for them
Choose your gift, as you might get so busy you forget
Mail out invitations
Begin your search for anything you may need to rent or borrow for the party
Purchase or create place cards if you will be using them

Three weeks before the event

Take care of decorations, either buying, making, collecting or borrowing
Ask friends to bring teddy bears or stuffed animals if this is your theme
Purchase and wrap your gift, so you won’t forget at the last minute
Prepare shopping list for all ingredients you need to prepare food
Purchase and wrap favors for guests
Make sure you have extra wrapping paper and ribbon on hand (just in case of last-minute gifts)
Purchase prizes for games
Designate someone to pick up the Mother-to-be

Two weeks before the baby shower

Make sure that you have the proper serving dishes and utensils
Check tables and chairs to be sure you have enough
Look over table linens and napkins (if using cloth)
Empty coat closets so you will have a clean space to hang coats
Confirm reservations if the shower is being held outside the home
Order centerpieces and corsage for the Mother-to-be
If it is being catered, contact the caterers
If friends are bringing food, touch base with them

One week before the event

Prepare anything that can be frozen ahead
Call anyone who has not responded to the invitation
Check all recipes and buy the ingredients
Either clean your home or hire someone to do it
If you will need extra refrigerator space, call a neighbor
Decide what you are wearing, making sure it is pressed and ready to wear
Check over your decorations to be sure you have everything you need

Two days before the baby shower

Help the mom choose a dress
Decorate your home
Set the table, if possible
Wash china and crystal if needed
Arrange transportation for any guest who may need it
Make sure “Mom is feeling good”
Have a footstool and pillow for “Mom”

The day before

Purchase, pick up or make the rest of the food on your menu
Check your home for last-minute cleaning
Set up extra chairs for guests
Check to be sure you have enough ice
Try to set up a spot to display kid’s gifts
Check on any last-minute details
Have plastic trash bag ready for wrappings
Pick up helium balloons (they’ll be fine overnight if they are mylar!)

On the Day

Call “Mom” and make sure she feels “great”
If the function is being held someplace other than your home, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your guests
Make sure designated driver picks up the guest of honor
Try to have someone there to help with last-minute details
Light candles to scent the room
Have glassware and light refreshments available
As each guest arrives, make sure she knows someone or introduce her to others
Provide the mom-to-be with a footstool and a pillow for her back

Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Diaper Bags

Baby diaper bags are an exceptional choice as a baby shower gift because they are something that is needed for expectant parents.

They’re available in a whole lot of different styles, shapes, and sizes to choose from which makes it a little bit confusing while choosing the perfect one. So, we’ve come up with some advice to select the right diaper bag to put into kid’s gift baskets.

Size

This is the first thing that you should think about before making a purchase. There are multiple reasons why size plays a significant role.

You want a bag large enough so that all the child’s essentials can come inside but not too large that it itself does not fit in the gift basket. You’ll have to find the right size that serves all the purposes. Guest posts are welcomed on AmyandRose

Pockets

The bag should allow the parents to be more organized. And what makes the organization better than pockets? Pockets allow easy access to whatever the parent might need to quickly satisfy their child. Bag nowadays come with a specialized insulated pocket for bottles, food, and more.

Quality

Sometimes we forget that price reflects the quality of a product. A quality diaper bag will last longer and the parents will remember you longer.

There are several other things that you might want to consider before making your purchase which is an article in itself. These 3 points will help you to get started on your search for the perfect one.

Baby Shower Ideas and Tips