Baby Shower Mini-Guide
1-3 MONTHS BEFORE THE SHOWER
WHO HOSTS THE BABY SHOWER?
Anyone can host it. Usually it is friends, sisters, co-workers, grandmothers or cousins.
It really just comes down to WHO is willing to host the event.
Of course if nobody is offering to plan it, then the mom can host it herself.
Make there are no surprise showers in the works before doing this.
It isn't traditional, but who cares.
WHEN TO HOLD THE BABY SHOWER
Around the 6th or 7th month when mom has a nice baby bump and she isn't feeling too uncomfortable yet.
WHERE TO HAVE THE BABY SHOWER
The most common locations are:
GETTING THE WORD OUT
SAVE THE DATE CARDS
Once the baby shower date is decided you can send out save the date cards if the shower is more than two months away.
You can choose to send them via mail or email. Whichever suits you.
Mailing a save the date card maybe preferable so the person can stick it on the fridge or bulletin board as a reminder.
INVITATIONS
Try to mail them out 4 weeks before the event.
Have a baby shower theme in mind so the invitations match your decorations.
If you aren't going to have a baby shower theme, then just choose whatever suits your fancy.
WHO HOSTS THE BABY SHOWER?
Anyone can host it. Usually it is friends, sisters, co-workers, grandmothers or cousins.
It really just comes down to WHO is willing to host the event.
Of course if nobody is offering to plan it, then the mom can host it herself.
Make there are no surprise showers in the works before doing this.
It isn't traditional, but who cares.
WHEN TO HOLD THE BABY SHOWER
Around the 6th or 7th month when mom has a nice baby bump and she isn't feeling too uncomfortable yet.
WHERE TO HAVE THE BABY SHOWER
The most common locations are:
- in a home
- at a park
- restaurant
- tea room
- event hall
GETTING THE WORD OUT
SAVE THE DATE CARDS
Once the baby shower date is decided you can send out save the date cards if the shower is more than two months away.
You can choose to send them via mail or email. Whichever suits you.
Mailing a save the date card maybe preferable so the person can stick it on the fridge or bulletin board as a reminder.
INVITATIONS
Try to mail them out 4 weeks before the event.
Have a baby shower theme in mind so the invitations match your decorations.
If you aren't going to have a baby shower theme, then just choose whatever suits your fancy.
GIFT REGISTRY
By the time the invites go out (so approximately 4 weeks before the event) the mom-to-be should have registered for gifts so the guests can start browsing the registries for gift ideas.
You can include gift registry information on the invitation. The example invitation above has the gift registry information on the back.
GIFT IDEAS
- onesies
- diapers
- baby bottles
- blankets
- bedding
- safety gate
- baby pillow
- children's books
- diaper bag
- footie pajamas
- cushioned changing pad
- baby wipes
- thermometer
HOW LONG SHOULD THE SHOWER LAST
2-3 hours
Sample Schedule:
- Guests arrive and mingle, eat finger foods, drink cocktails etc...
This shoud last around 45 minutes to an hour. - Play games and award prizes. It is traditional to have 3-5 games.
Sample games further down the guide
This can take 30 - 60 minutes depending on the games you choose. - Guest of Honor opens her presents. Should last 20-30 minutes.
- Cake is served.
- Party ends.
GUEST LIST
who to invite?
Things to consider:
- is the shower for just the mom or the mom and dad?
- will only female guests be invited?
- will co-workers be included?
- which family members do you wish to invite. Close family members or extended ones too?
- will children be welcome at the shower?
HOLDING THE SHOWER
SHOWER THEME IDEAS
If you wish to hold a theme shower, then the invites, decorations and food can reflect this theme.
EXAMPLE THEMES
GAMES
It is up to you whether you want to include games or not.
I sense that sometimes people don't really enjoy complicated or time consuming games.
I have included easy ones that should be fun for everyone.
1. GUESS THAT BABY FOOD
Place 5 different baby foods in little bowls
Wihth small disposable spoons, have everyone smell, examine and taste the food.
Have your bests write down their best guess.
Award a prize to the winner.
If there is more than one winner, then do a raffle to pick the winner.
Or even better - give a prize to all the winners!
2. WINNING PLATE
Place a sticker underneath one of the plates you will use to serve cake.
While eating cake, ask your guests to carefully look underneath their plate.
The one with the sticker wins the prize.
SHOWER THEME IDEAS
If you wish to hold a theme shower, then the invites, decorations and food can reflect this theme.
EXAMPLE THEMES
- Colors
pastel pink and white
yellow, white and blue - Flamingo
- Tribal Wild One (think teepees, indian feathers, grizzly bears, deer)
- Cute Animals (mama & baby)
panda, kitty cat, foxes, bunnies, etc.) - Ocean / Nautical
- Birds & Bird Nests
- Flowers
- Tropical Leaves
- Tea Party
- Unicorns
- Mermaids
- Aviator / Explorer
- Fairies / Magic
- Woodland Creatures (deer, bear, chipmunk, raccoons etc..)
- Sun "you are my sunshine"
- The list is only limited by your imagination!
if your mom-to-be has a special interest or hobby you could focus on that.
Such as an equestrian rider could have a horse themed one.
A boating enthusiast could have a boating / nautical theme.
and so on....
GAMES
It is up to you whether you want to include games or not.
I sense that sometimes people don't really enjoy complicated or time consuming games.
I have included easy ones that should be fun for everyone.
1. GUESS THAT BABY FOOD
Place 5 different baby foods in little bowls
Wihth small disposable spoons, have everyone smell, examine and taste the food.
Have your bests write down their best guess.
Award a prize to the winner.
If there is more than one winner, then do a raffle to pick the winner.
Or even better - give a prize to all the winners!
2. WINNING PLATE
Place a sticker underneath one of the plates you will use to serve cake.
While eating cake, ask your guests to carefully look underneath their plate.
The one with the sticker wins the prize.
3. COUNT THE CANDIES
Fill a giant jar or bottle (a giant baby bottle would be great!) with candy such as smarties, m&m's or skittles. have your guests guess how many candies are in the container. Whoever comes closest wins a prize PLUS gets to take the candy home.
4. PERFECT TIMING
When mom starts to open her gifts set a timer for 5-10 minutes. Whomevers gift she is opening when the timer goes off wins a prize.
5. NOTECARD GAME
This is a game designed to help mom with the thank you cards she will be sending out after the party.
Have each guest fill out their address on the envelope which goes with the thank you cards.
Place the envelopes in a bowl. During the shower pick an envelope and that person wins a prize.
PRIZE IDEAS
Note that chocolate, booze, and gift card themed prizes are typically the biggest hits.
- Fancy Journal
- Bath Bomb
- Gift bag / box with baked goods such as cookies and cupcakes
- Scented candles
- coffee mug filled with chocolate and coffee
- lottery ticket bouquet
- gift cards
- movie night gift bag/ box filled with popcorn and candy
- wine
- chocolate
- fancy notecards and stationery
- easy to care for plants such as cactus or succulents
- coloring book and pencils
FOOD
What to serve your guests
FINGER FOODS
- cheese and crackers
- fruit
- mini quiche
- cake pops
- pastel colored candies
- olives
- nuts
- cupcakes
DRINKS
Alcoholic:
- wine
- wine spritzers
- beer
- cocktails
- fancy sodas
- water in a fancy pitcher or bottles
- lemonade - pink for a girl shower and blueberry mint for a boy shower
SPECIAL CAKE AT THE END
THANK YOU FAVOR GIFTS FOR GUESTS
- Gift box filled with tea and cookies
- Favor bag filled with chocolate and candy
- coffee in a fancy bag
- cold drink cozies - with cute baby saysings like "oh baby Baby" , or your personalized shower info.
* additionally you could set them up near a 6 pack of beer or mini champagne bottles so guests can take drinks to fill their cozies. - scented soap
- mini champagne bottles with custom labels i.e. she's ready to pop!