Planning a Baby Shower

by Pattie Hughes | More from this Blogger

25 Feb 2007 09:33 PM

A baby shower can be planned by any friend or relative of the expectant couple. In general, the couple should not host the party. This is not considered proper shower etiquette. Often the mother to be's best friend, sister or mother will host the shower in honor of the couple.

The first step in planning a baby shower is to set the date. There are no hard and fast rules for the timing of a shower. Most of the time, they are held in the last trimester or last month of pregnancy. In some cultures, such as Jewish people, showers are often held after the baby is born.

You will need to make a guest list for the shower. Family and friends can get together to finalize the list and be sure all important friends and family are invited. You may want to contact siblings, parents and grandparents of the couple well in advance of the date to be sure there are no conflicts and they can save the date.

Once you have chosen the date and finalized the guest list, you can pick the place to hold the event. Showers can be held in the home of the host or in a restaurant. Some people hold the shower in the couple's home. This is a good idea if they will be getting furniture and larger baby gear as gifts. The couple won't have to haul all the gifts home if they are already in their own house.

You will need to purchase decorations and invitations for the baby shower. These can be in a matching theme or pattern. Shop online or in party supply stores to find a wide selection of decorations and invitations at a reasonable price. Invitations can be handwritten or ordered from a printer.

You can also make printed invitations on your home computer. Be sure to send the invitations a few weeks in advance to give guests time to respond and to ensure a better turn out. If the mother to be is registered at a local store or baby boutique, be sure to include this information in the invitations. Guests will appreciate the tip.

Plan some games for the baby shower. I will be doing a separate blog on baby shower game ideas later this week. Some people hate games at showers. However, a few games are a time honored tradition at most showers. If the mother to be doesn't like party games, plan just a few.

Related Articles:

Registering for Your Baby Shower

The Blessingway

My Favorite Baby Item

Learn more about Pattie Hughes

Pattie Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four young children. She and her husband have been married since 1992. Pattie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University.

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karabu (980) 25 Feb 2007 10:56 PM

I'm preg with my second baby, and my co-workers keep asking me "when is your shower?" My mom considers showers for second or later babies tacky, so I don't know if I'll have one. Is there standard etiquite on this? I don't really need or want gifts, but feel like baby #2 deserves a party too. But as you mentioned - it isn't really my place. If no official party happens, I'm thinking of doing a fun lunchdate with some friends instead - if nothing else, I'd like to celebrate my new girl somehow.

Pattie Hughes (7652) 26 Feb 2007 05:46 AM

Personally, I think every baby should be celebrated. My friends and family only gave me a shower with my first baby too. If your mom doesn't want to host a shower, maybe a friend or sister would. If not, consider hosting a welcome baby party yourself after the baby arrives. Congratulations and celebrate that baby!

mama2riley (24481) 26 Feb 2007 03:25 PM

I went through the same thing here...I'm having a girl this time around and so people were asking me about a shower but my mom thought the same thins as yours, karabu. So we ended up not having one, although several people sent me some things anyway. I agree with Pattie that every baby should be celebrated. I think we are going to have a "welcome baby" party a few weeks after she arrives just to celebrate - if people want to bring a gift great, but there isn't as much obligation as if it were a shower.

Valorie Delp (49340) 26 Feb 2007 08:08 PM

Our church throws showers for everybody and every baby! So I've had four showers. One thing that a friend of mine did (she was all showered out) was have an open house after the baby was born. People came to see the baby and brought gifts and meals in turn. I have organized a few of those for friends. Once you're onto your 3rd or so frozen meals and such are much nicer than gifts ;-)