Essential Guide To Planning A Baby Shower

A few weeks before an expectant is expected to put to bed, there is usually a get-together called a “baby shower” where family, friends, and a couple of well-wishers gather together to celebrate the upcoming arrival of the baby. It can be a really fun and bonding experience for the parents-to-be and their guests.

But planning a baby shower is not an easy task and it can get overwhelming when you’re right in the middle of it. Not to mention the possibility of spending more than you planned or not making venue reservations early enough. We created this checklist of the steps to planning a successful baby shower. (You can bookmark this page for later).

What Is A Baby Shower?

A baby shower is a party thrown in honor of a couple expecting a baby where the friends and family of the couple “shower” them with gifts, baby items, advice, and support as they start their parenting journey. Baby showers used to be all about mothers but in recent years, men are also getting involved in baby showers.

For the shower which usually lasts about three hours, guests customarily come along with gifts like baby clothes or a guidebook on being a good parent and advice and tips, especially from the more elderly and experienced ones. On the other hand, the hosts are to entertain the guests with food, games, and other activities.

Hosting a baby shower can be difficult especially if you don’t where to start. But don’t worry we’ve got you. Here are seven steps to planning a successful baby shower.

How To Plan A Baby Shower?

• Set A Budget

Before you go about printing invitation cards and preparing the venue, refreshments, and recreational activities, the first thing to do is plan your budget. It’s pretty simple. Ask yourself how much can you spare conveniently. Then, plan your shower around that budget. If it means reducing the number of guests, then maybe you should.

• Choose A Date And Time

Yes, surprise parties are cute and all, but you might want to consult with the parents-to-be to find a date that works best for them. Also, time is very important. Typically, a baby shower should be in the evening when most of the guests have retired from their respective workplaces or better still, during the weekend.

• Select A Venue

Even though the usual location for baby showers is the home of the parents, basically any space that can accommodate the guests comfortably will do, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. However, it’s important to consider the size of the guest list and the general atmosphere of the venue.

• Choose A Theme

The whole decorations, dress codes (if there are one), picture backdrops, and so on are going to depend on the theme you choose. There are different types of themes suitable for a baby shower like animals, tea parties, animation themes, and so on. As long as it is something childish, it should work fine.

• Send Out Invitations

After you have a set venue, date, time, and planned budget, you can start sending out invitations. Preferably, reserve invitations for your family first before considering close friends, and then others can follow according to your budget.

• Plan The Menu

Depending on how many people you invite, you might decide to hire a caterer or handle the affairs of the stomach yourself. Either way, your menu must correlate with the time of the shower. For afternoon showers, simple snacks would suffice but dinner time showers might require something more elaborate.

• Plan Games And Activities

Popular shower activities that you can incorporate into your event include baby-themed bingo, diaper-changing races, and “guess the baby food” contests. Apart from being fun, the expecting parents could also learn one or two things about parenting.

By following these key steps, you can plan a fun and successful baby shower. Don’t forget to ask for help from other friends or family members if you need it, and most importantly, don’t forget enjoy the experience of planning this special event!