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Baby Showers

What is a baby shower?

Baby Showers are a time for the mother-to-be, friends and family to have fun and celebrate the new life about to come into the world. They are usually thrown by a good friend, co-worker, sister, daughter, or family member.

Baby showers can range from elegant to casual, depending on the mood you would like to set! They can take place at a restaurant, cafe or someone's home and usually don't go for more than a few hours. It is customary for the mum-to-be to receive gifts from her guests as well as give gifts out to the women who planned the shower.

Like any party, you'll want to serve food, whether a full meal, light snacks or anything in between! The scale and expense of the catering is up to the person planning the party, but should also fit with the style of the mum-to-be.  Remember that the baby shower party is not about who can spend the most or impress their guests, but creating a fun and memorable event with great friends.

Usually the host pays and it is considered a gift to the mum-to-be. Today, it’s common for several people to throw the shower and share the costs.

When should you throw a baby shower?
It is traditional to have a baby shower one or two months before the birth. Don't plan to have the shower too close to the mum-to-be's due date in case she delivers early. It's also helpful to have it far enough away that the mum-to-be has time to return items that she receives duplicates of or things that aren't what she wants. She will also need time to order or purchase anything she didn't receive that may have been on her baby shower registry. The extra time before the birth also helps mum-to-be and dad-to-be to set up all the great gifts they received, especially if they need to be put together.

Planning a Baby Shower:

1. Baby Shower Guest List
The first step to planning and hosting a successful and fun baby shower is to make a guest list. Creating a guest list will help you get an idea of how many people will be invited to the baby shower, which will help you figure out what your budget will be.
It's always a good idea to find out if mum-to-be is having other baby showers hosted for her. Talk to the mum-to-be's family members about the other shower dates and invite list. Other than family members, you don't need to invite people that are attending the mum-to-be's other showers, unless you want to.

Decide whether to invite babies, children and husbands. Traditionally baby showers have been a “girlie” event, but it all depends on the what the mumtobe would like best.

2. Baby Shower Budget
Figuring out theshower budget for your shower early will help you determine the location of the shower, its menu, decorations and more. If you have a smaller budget, don't worry - you have options:
If you have a smaller group, your home or someone else's may be a good idea. Location and food are typically the biggest costs, so if you're able to host the baby shower at a home, you'll save a significant portion of your budget that be reallocated to food, decorations, etc.

If you have a large guest list, you'll probably need to host the shower at a restaurant or other venue. This means you may want to look for co-hosts to share the costs. Good co-hosts can be other close friends of mum-to-be or her family members. Family members may even just want to contribute money to the event. Once you have a budget, you should make a list of all of the baby shower costs.

3. Baby Shower Theme
Choosing a theme will help set the scene for the shower. If you know the sex of the baby, pink or blue may be a simple theme. Think about the personality of the mum-to-be and pick something they would enjoy.


4. Baby Shower Date
The best time to hold a shower is on a Saturday or Sunday, four to eight weeks before the baby is due. With baby's due date in mind, decide on a few potential days that you can host the baby shower. Contact important guests, especially out-of-town family, to make sure they are available on dates you have in mind. Remember that Friday night and Saturday baby shower parties are usually more expensive than Sundays if you are having it anywhere but at home.


5. Baby Shower Location
The number one rule is to make sure that the baby shower location is large enough for your guest list. No matter whether you're having the baby shower at a home, restaurant, hotel or rented space, make sure everything is planned ahead of time and you'll have a greatbaby shower!

You'll save a lot of money if you hosting the baby shower at a home. However, you will need to spend money on things like plates, napkins, cups, eating utensils, and possibly table rentals.
If you're hosting the baby shower at a restaurant, start looking for locations early. You will want to call and even visit possible places to make sure they can accommodate your group, work with your theme and serve food that mum-to-be and your guests will enjoy. Make sure you also consider whether your location will allow you to come in and decorate.

6. Baby Shower Invitations
At least 8 weeks before your baby shower, you should be finalizing your guest list. Before the shower, call any invited guests who have yet to RSVP.When thinking about invitations, remember that they should:
   • Match your theme
   • Include its location, date, time, your phone number and the RSVP date (about seven days before the baby shower)
   • Include a map to the event location


7. Baby Shower Menu
Food for a baby shower can take any form, and you can decide to serve anything from appetisers to a full-blown meal.
If you're hosting the baby shower at a restaurant you will need to work with someone at the establishment to decide the menu. If you're unable to visit the restaurant, which we suggest you do if you haven't been there, ask them to fax you their party menu. They may be able to provide food in a sit down setting or put out a buffet, and they may even be able to help you match the menu to your shower theme.

If you're hosting the baby shower at a home you can choose to cater, make your own food, or a combination of both. If you are having the shower catered, ask the caterer to fax you a menu. Again, you will have the option of setting up a buffet or cooking a sit down menu. Just leave room for cake!

8. Baby Shower Decorations and Supplies
You're going to want to buy balloons, streamers and other decorations. But if you're hosting the baby shower at a restaurant, find out what decorations they allow.

If you're not hosting the baby shower at a restaurant, you're also going to need plates, napkins, cups and eating utensils. Make sure you have enough napkins and forks for appetizers and cake as well as making sure you have cups for both hot and cold drinks.

9. Baby Shower Games and Prizes
There are many games you can play. Some favourites are:
• Measure the baby bump – Each guest cuts a length of string and whoever gets the closest to the circumference of the baby bump wins.
• Hubbabuba Baby – Give each guest a piece of chewing gum and get them to mould it into the shape of a baby (no need to chew the gum).

 Tip#1: Be sure you have writing utensils for everyone.
 Tip#2: Wrap game prizes.
 Tip#3: Make sure to have extra prizes in case of tied games.

10. Baby Shower Party Favours
The baby shower party favours are one of those nice touches to finish off your successful shower. Party favours can even be purchased to go with the theme if you like. Some popular baby shower gifts include:
• Fillable baby bottles with Jelly beans
• Baby feet Lollipops
• Personalized candy bar wrappers
• Baby sitting vouchers

11. Baby Shower Gifts
It is customary to provide the mum-to-be with some type of gift at the baby shower. You can organise for everyone to  put money in for a large gift, or guests can bring their own gifts or bring a small wrapped item to add to a large basket of gifts.

Making an Itinerary for your Baby Shower

1. Welcome
Have a baby shower sign-in sheet where guests can sign a pre-made board orbook, or even something creative a shower guest has made. This is a great way to  look back and see who was at the shower. It is also great to leave room and ask for remarks or advice as it makes for a fun read. Have someone who knows the most guests at the front to welcome people as they arrive.

2. Ice Breakers and Mingling
The beginning of the baby shower is great for people to get to know one another, especially if you have different groups of friends and family. Have a designated spot for baby shower gifts. Have some finger foods and drinks ready and avaialble to make people feel more comfortable.


3. Introductions
Have everyone sit down (unless you are at a restaurant with everyone already sitting) and have someone introduce the mother-to-be as well as thank everyone for coming. The mother-to-be may want to say something as well. It's fun to let everyone know to take pictures, sign the welcome book/board if they haven't already and to help themselves to food and drinks. Allow some more time to socialize and for the mother-to-be to mingle.
 
4. Games
While people are finishing eating, why not start the baby shower games and have those guests that want to play get involved while others watch or socialise. Some games are great to play as a group so no one feels like they have to participate if they don't want to.
 
5. Dessert
After playing the baby shower games, it is great to move on to dessert. Whether you have them on one big table or while seated in a restaurant, this is a great time for speeches. anyone that wants to share funny or sentimental thoughts or anecdotes about the mother and father-to-be.
 
6. Gift Giving
It is customary for the mum-to-be to give the hosts and helpers who threw the baby shower a gift for helping out. This gift can be more sentimental than expensive and is a little thank you and memento. This is the time the mum-to-be usually thanks everyone, especially those that helped plan the party and her mum and mother-in-law.
 
7. Present Opening
 At the end of the shower you can have a present-opening session for the benefit of guests who want to stick around and see what the mum-to-be gets. It's nice to do this at the end as no-one is committed to staying for the entire gift opening. It's also a great time for some relaxed conversation. It is very helpful for someone to take notes for the mum-to-be on what she gets from whom so she can later write thank you cards. If you want to give them a real treat, write out the thank you envelopes and beginning of each card for them.
 
8. End of the Party
As the party winds down, people will begin to say their goodbyes and eat the last of the dessert. It is helpful for someone to help the mum-to-be with the clean up (if at a house) and to get the gifts into the car (if driving).