Baby Shower Planning

Baby Shower Planning - Tips and Advice on Planning a Baby Shower

Baby shower planning can be as much fun as the event itself. However there are a few details most baby shower hosts need to nail down at the outset. Here are some helpful tips for anybody who is planning a baby shower for their special friend or relative.

Who should host the baby shower? According to tradition a non-relative should host the baby shower. Baby shower planning can be handled by co-workers, friends, members of a church group or anybody else who would like to act as host. However these days it is common for a sister, mother, aunt or other relative to host the shower, if they so wish. So, anybody can host the baby shower, as long as it's not the mom-to-be!

What guests should be invited? You might want to ask the husband or family to help with the baby shower planning by making up a guest list that includes everybody close to the mom-to-be. Once you have these details check with her just to make sure that nobody has been forgotten. Often, if it's not a firstborn child the guest list is restricted to very close friends or people who weren't at the first baby shower.

How should the guests be invited? You can call the guests, send out written invitations or even invite guests via e-mail. Your baby shower planning should include a theme and this can form the basis for your written invitations or e-mail invites. Written invitations add a nice touch and act as a handy reminder too. Buy them pre-printed at card shops or stationery stores. You could also try making them by hand.

On the invitation include details of the party theme, where the mom-to-be has registered, directions to the venue, or any special item you want the guests to bring along. Your baby shower planning should include a date by which time all guests should have RSVPd. If they haven't you might want to give them a call and remind them.

Should men be invited or included in the baby shower planning? These days baby showers are more informal and realistic and many are co-ed. If the mom-to-be agrees there is no reason that special friends and the dad-to-be should not be invited to the party. If you choose to include the men, make sure that the games and food are suited to both men and women.

Where should the baby shower be held? Anywhere there is enough space! You might choose to have it at your home, indoors or outdoors, at a restaurant, church hall, the office or even at a picnic area. It really is up to you. Try to choose a venue that suits the different age groups that will be attending the shower. These days baby shower planning is on the informal side and a cookout is a perfectly acceptable option.

So be sure to check out our pages about Baby Shower Themes, Baby Shower Favors, Baby Shower Invitations, and Baby Shower Food Ideas elsewhere on this site.