Checklists are a great way to make sure everything gets done while keeping stress to a minimum. Checklists can also help you assign tasks to willing helpers, making the job much easier. The essential components of hosting a baby shower include creating a guest list, ordering baby shower invitations, party decorations and favors, hosting two or three games, deciding on the food and beverages to be served, and most of all, making sure that the mother-to-be will be happy with the results.

Guest List

Before other decisions can be made, the budget, date and time must be determined, and the guest list must be created. Generally, the celebration takes place six to eight weeks before the estimated date of birth. Keep in mind that as the due date approaches, activities may become difficult for the mother-to-be. It’s a good idea to agree on some sort of ‘secret signal’ between the guest of honor and the hostess that says, ‘I’ve had enough.’

Traditionally, the guests were women, the goal being to provide the expectant mother with the knowledge, supplies, and furnishings she would need. Today’s event is more of a celebration and anyone can be invited, including men. Once the number of guests is determined, the fun begins!

Select a theme and location

The theme and location are selected once the guest list and budget are determined. Themes often feature rhymes from Mother Goose, ABC, Dr. Seuss, teddy bears, or something more seasonal or unique to the family, like a favorite sports team. Color schemes are no longer limited to the pinks and blues of yesteryear. Now, earthy or pastel tones are popular. Online birth announcement and invitation providers allow you to create one-of-a-kind cards that share this happy news in unique colors, fonts, and styles.

What to include in birth announcements and invitations

Unique baby shower invitations set the tone for the party, making them a crucial part of the planning process. They include all the traditional information, such as day, date, time, and location. They also include the hostess’s name and contact information, in case guests have questions, and RSVP instructions. They also incorporate gift registry information and directions to the party location.

Creating one-of-a-kind birth announcements and invitations allows for the use of family photos of the couple, personalized messages, and other special touches that no one else can do, all while looking elegant and coordinated. Matching thank you cards can also be ordered – a great idea with so many gifts on the way and so little time!

set the stage

Depending on the venue, there are many decorating options to choose from that will correlate with the theme set out in the baby shower invitations. Restaurants and other public buildings will have their own requirements, making most decorations of the tabletop variety: diaper cakes, stuffed animals, and balloons are easy and affordable ways to make the party extra festive.

If the party will be held in a private home, the decorations can be more luxurious and fun: a clothesline hanging in the room, festooned with baby clothes and cloth diapers, or streamers that match the color scheme of the invitations. for the baby shower. The tableware can also continue the color scheme. Ideally, many of the decorations will be able to do double duty as gifts for the new baby.

favors and games

As soon as the guests receive the baby shower invitations, they will start to wonder what kind of games and activities will be planned. They can be wildly fun team events that challenge one partner to feed the other blindfolded, to see who can diaper a doll the fastest, or baby-related charades. Other activities may include creating a well-wishes keepsake and parenting tips from guests. There are also fun sit-down activities like baby bingo, the Jeopardy nursery rhyme, and the ever-popular baby food tasting mystery game! Edible favors are always appreciated. Live plants, gift certificates, and bath oils have become more popular than the more traditional trinkets that more often than not end up thrown away.

Food and drinks

Depending on the guest list and the time of day, the menu can be a nice collection of appetizers, sandwiches, a dessert menu, or, if time and money allow, a potluck. Generally speaking, alcohol is not served in a shower. Instead, sparkling juices, punch, or other healthy options are offered. Snacks are always a great option for a party, allowing guests to mingle and participate in activities.

Using baby shower invitations as the center of the planning process results in decorations, activities, and favors that are all tied together. Baby announcements, when that time comes, will reconnect the guests to the wonderful event they shared with each other to celebrate the new bundle of joy.