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For many couples, the birth of a new baby is an exciting event. The best way to guarantee this is to plan the baby shower online. Anyone can host a baby shower for the expectant parents.

Here are 8 steps to follow to begin planning a successful baby shower.

Traditionally, a baby shower is held sometime during the last two months of a pregnancy, though some parents prefer that the shower be held after their baby has actually arrived. It usually occurs 4-6 weeks before the baby is due. Baby showers are usually held on Saturday or Sunday afternoons as this is usually the most convenient time. Having the shower on the weekend also makes it possible for out-of-town guests to attend. This is the best way to learn the availability of your guests and chose the date/time that accommodates the most amount of people.

You should have a general idea of the number of guests that will be attending before selecting the location. However, you may wish to consider evening hours as well. If you're hosting a shower for a co-worker, an evening during the workweek may make it very convenient for others from the office to attend.

The majority of baby showers are held at the home of the host. However, if you have a small house, limited seating or just don't relish the idea of playing Suzy-Homemaker, you can hold the baby shower in an alternate venue. Take the number of expected guests into account when selecting your venue.

Before arranging anything, you first need to establish how much you are willing and able to spend on the baby shower. Your budget will need to consider; invitations, decor, food and drinks, games, supplies and a gift. Traditionally, women attend showers. Having the baby shower at yours or another guests home is the most economical option. Determine if children will be welcome as well.

Asking the mother-to-be who she wants to invite is the best way to make sure you do not forget about anyone important. A theme can help guide you in the selection of baby shower invitations, decorations and refreshments. You want to obtain the contact information (address, phone number, email) of invitees as soon as possible to be able to get an estimation on the number of attending guests so you can continue planning. Ask if she knows the sex of the baby, as that can guide your choices as well.

Sometimes the expectant parents don't want to know the sex of their baby until the big day. Selecting a theme definitely adds to the ambiance of the shower and makes it easier to plan the website and invitation design, food, games and decor. Nursery rhymes, farm or zoo animals and the circus are all colorful gender-neutral themes. Avoid blue and pink and decorate instead with yellow and green. You may also want to specify on the baby shower invitation that the party is gender neutral. This will let guests know to bring gifts that will work for a boy or a girl.

Baby shower invitations should be sent at least three weeks in advance. If you're holding the shower during a typically busy party month (such as November or December), send the invitations further in advance. Even better, you can start with a baby shower invitation template that suits your theme, and then customize it using their online design software. You'll create a truly unique invitation that guests and the parents-to-be will treasure forever.

Essential information that should be printed on every baby shower invitation includes the mom-to-be's name, the date and time of the shower, the location and address of the shower, the name and contact information of the person to whom guests should RSVP, and any gift registry, requested gift items or the baby shower theme. The invitation should be informative and fun and include the following information.

  • Date, time, location and theme of the shower. Here are a few that require minimal materials and preparation while providing loads of laughs.

  • Contact person information (# and email).

Baby is a Four-Letter Word. You'll need four diaper pins for each invited guest. Upon arrival at the shower, give each guest four diaper pins to attach to their collar or blouse. Then instruct them not to say the word "baby" or they'll lose one of their pins to the guest who catches them. The guest with the most pins at the end of the shower wins a prize.

  • A description of activities that will take place. Pass each diaper around the party. The guest who has the most correct guesses wins a prize.

Cake, vegetable trays and punch are classic baby shower refreshment offerings. However, it's really up to you to determine what you'd like to serve at the shower.

  • Include baby registry information.

With you baby shower website, guests will be able to RSVP online, and should be encouraged to do so by a specified date. This will allow you to always keep track of your guest list, and send out reminders to those who have not responded.

The menu will depend on the time of day the shower is being held.

If you decide to have the shower at a restaurant or another venue, then you will need to create a special menu in advance. Regardless of the shower's location, you want to create a menu that fits within your budget and is consistent with the theme of the baby shower.

It is customary to have a cake for the expecting mom at the baby shower.

A fun baby shower includes many silly games and prizes. They should be simple and easy to explain and set up. You need to plan this in advance to make sure you have all the right supplies.

You and your guests want to buy the expecting mom something she actually needs and wants.


Celebrating the Shower

A baby shower is a wonderful way for friends and family to show their happiness, celebrate the wonderful news and prepare for the baby's arrival. It used to be that a baby shower was thrown for first time mothers-to-be, but I believe every birth is a reason gather and to celebrate.

These gifts range from the newborn essentials like diapers and wipes, to adorable outfits and colorful toys.

If the baby shower is not a surprise, be sure to ask the mother-to-be if the daddy-to-be would like to include some of his closest friends to join the celebration. Traditionally, a baby shower is intended to help parents get items that they need for their baby, such as baby clothes. It is always a good idea to talk with the mommy-to-be and get her input on the type of shower she would like, if it's not a surprise.


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Planning a baby shower can be easy when you break the event down into simple components. Before any real planning of the shower can begin, you need to decide on a date. Just like any other party, a baby shower requires careful planning to ensure that it will go as smoothly as possible, and be memorable for everyone. If you focus on usefulness and avoid offence your chance of finding the appropriate gift is very good.

History of Gifts

Here is the history behind baby shower gifts.

Since the invitations are the first thing guests see and gives them the first impression of what the shower is going to be like take your time and put a little thought in. And often times, the mother's bridesmaid or maid of honor hosted the party. Research indicates the "showering" of the "Mommy-to-be" has been popular in many countries for hundreds of years. Before any invitations are sent out (or any phone calls or emails made), be sure to run the guest list by the mother-to-be. If you are in a hurry and do not have the time to make the invitations yourself remember that you can order them online and still get them out in plenty of time.

Gifts can range from all shapes, sizes and prices. Today's focus isn't on the education but instead on the celebration. Anyone can host the shower, from friends to siblings or even in-laws, and many times men can even attend. Except for the silver given by the grandmother. Giving your guests plenty of time to purchase their gifts is another reason invitations should be mailed early.

Though times have altered how we send out thank you cards or give gifts, it doesn't mean that certain traditions can't be respected. Families may have preferences about who should host the party or what type of food is served. A baby shower is one time that the mommy-to-be will be able to actually sit back, relax and especially enjoy the fun baby shower games, have fun with her family and friends and look forward to the arrival of the little one. Even if they do not play in all the baby shower games, men do enjoy the opportunity to give their regards to the expectant parents.

Baby Shower Invitations and More

A baby shower is more than just a party it is meant to be a celebration so make sure your guest are comfortable, having a great time and are happy to be at your party. So, showers are held early in preparation for the new baby's arrival without the worry of buying an inappropriate baby shower gift. The most important thing that happens during the baby shower is friendship, love, and excitement of a new little one joining the community of friends and family.

What makes the baby shower gift appropriate. Whether it's jungle themed, ABC 123 or even based on nursery rhymes, carry the style through to the thank you cards and baby address labels. Family and friends will appreciate the coordinating style and you'll have fun putting it together. If the shower is being held after the birth of the child, photo baby announcements can be used to share the important news and prepare guests for showering the newborn with love.

In the same fashion as other types of invitations, baby shower invitations should include the date, time and location. They should be mailed out four to six weeks prior to the shower date. If the parent has a baby shower registry, the choice of a gift can be make easier by simply choosing a gift on the list not purchased yet. You can be just as creative with the venue as you are with the baby shower invitations.

Age appropriate is normally a consideration when giving a gift to a child. However, for the baby shower it is appropriate to give gifts to be used at a later age or gift that will covers a wide age range.

As you prepare to host a fabulous baby shower for your loved one, keep organized on all your responsibilities so the party goes off without any glitches. Expectations as the host include sending baby shower invitations to family and friends, decorating the venue, organizing games or activities and providing food and beverages. It may seem like a large list, but if you set a theme and focus everything around it, your planning will tie together and impress guests.

Following these few simple rules will make you a hit at any baby shower. Have fun by playing interactive games such as word scrambles, rhyming games or even "Name That Tune" with nursery rhymes. Again, tie in your selected theme to make the party come full circle.

Hosting a baby shower is both fun and exciting.

Therefore, any one can find themselves shopping for the appropriate baby shower gift.

Historically, the grandparent would give a gift of silver as a small amount of inheritance for the child. In some places it is still traditional for the grandmother to make a baby blanket or small quilt for the baby.

Understanding the appropriate gift is suitable for the particular person and the particular occasion, is usefulness and does not offend, you will find the following meet the requirement as appropriate baby shower gifts.

Any item from the baby shower gift registry not already purchased. You don't have to get the item from the selected store.

Disposable Diapers and baby wipes- Diapers are expensive, and babies use them quickly, so new parents always appreciate a gift of diapers.

If you don't know the baby's gender, a gift certificate is a welcome baby shower gift, allowing the parents to choose an outfit after baby arrives.

You can buy baby toys made for older babies for use later in baby's life, but stick with toys for ages 3 and under to avoid the possibility of the baby choaking on the small parts.

Lifestyle Gifts for Parents and Babies

If you want to give a baby shower gift that's out of the ordinary, consider the parents' lifestyle. Joggers, Bikers).

Baby Blankets - Infants quickly become attached to their security baby blankets. It will bring much joy to your baby.

Gift Certificates- For busy new parents, gift certificates can make it easy to pick up last-minute items that were forgotten in the preparations for baby's arrival. Baby shower gift certificates don't have to be just for baby products, either.

Successful baby shower giving.

Don't offend or embarrass the new mom or the hostess and most any gift will be appreciated.


Daddy Baby Shower

Giving dad the support he needs with his very own baby shower.

Planning a baby shower is exciting. However as daddies are becoming more active in the lives of their babies, they are gradually be included more and more in showers. Over the past 10 years, couples showers have grown in popularity. They bring the new daddies into the celebration. Now men are beginning to take it a step farther with the Daddy Shower, also known as the Dad-tchelore Party.

First thing on your list is the theme. If the party is for a bunch of daddy's buddies, then a good friend may choose to throw a men's only baby shower.

At this time it might be a good idea to talk to the mom-to-be about the theme she might like to have. You might want to stay with the same theme that the new parents will be decorating the baby's room with. That isn't a necessary thing to do, but if you have a centerpiece, like an adorable diaper cake you would want it to match the newly decorated baby's room.

Talk to the mom-to-be to get names of co-workers and other distant family members.

Daddy baby showers are a way to show support for a man who is about to become a new father. If this will be a surprise baby shower then you will want to enlist the help of the mom-to-be's family and friends. If the new mommy is having a mommy only baby shower with her girlfriends and female relatives, a daddy shower can be a good way for the men in the family and for the new dad's friends to show him their support. A daddy shower is also very appropriate in a workplace. While also helping him provide for all of those new baby necessities. Sometimes, for one reason or another the parents are not involved in a relationship when a new baby is born. In this situation the new dad will need all of the same supplies that the new mom will need.

What do we do at a Daddy Baby Shower. Most men aren't too interested in the traditional baby games. If games are desired, most men seem to prefer the ones that get everyone laughing.

This is a very important step in planning the shower. What kind of gifts should we bring. The situation of the man and instructions for the shower will play a big part in what gift you decide to bring. For that reason, many daddy showers specify right on the invitation that the attendees should bring a pack of diapers. This makes it great for everyone. By bringing diapers the guys won't have to worry about doubling up on gifts.

With the ever growing role that new dads are taking in raising their babies, it's time that we give them a chance to celebrate and be supported.

If you attend church somewhere you can always utilize the fellowship hall.

Next will be to plan the menu and beverages.

Will you be preparing all of the food yourself, or will you be asking others to make some of the food.

Start the baby shower invitations.

You will want to have these finished about 5 to 6 weeks before the date of the shower. Although the invitations will be finished you won't send them out until about 4 weeks before the date of the baby shower.

Decide on Baby Shower Decorations.

Most party supply stores will have everything you need. Also check online line for some great ideas on decorations and party favors.

Decide on the games you will be playing and make your list of items needed and directions on how to play the games.

Next you will want to confirm your guest list. You should have everyone's RSVP no later than 1 week before that baby shower date.

Make your list for food items that you will need for the baby shower.

You should buy your food, beverage and grocery items for the baby shower no later than the day before the baby shower.

If you are having the baby shower at a restaurant you will need to talk with them about when would be a good time for decorating.

On the day of the baby shower arrange your plates and food on the table you have set up for the food items. You can do this about an hour or so before the shower starts.

Ok, we're almost there.

Even if the shower is a surprise you can call her and check on her. Make sure you've enlisted someone to pick her up or have the dad-to-be bring her.

Set out baby shower favors on tables or display them with the baby cake centerpiece. Have all pens, papers and handouts in one place.

After you have double checked everything, sit down and relax a minute until guests start arriving.

It will be a perfect baby shower and everyone will have a great time.

© 2016 The Smith Family, 12 Pike St, New York, NY 10002
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