Heather L. Clark asked:


Think you can’t plan a baby shower? Think again! The tips below will help you plan a fun, fabulous and memorable baby shower that will be greatly appreciated by the mom-to-be and enjoyed by one and all.

Are you planning a baby shower? Good for you! A baby shower is the perfect way to shower the mom-to-be with love and support and help her celebrate one of the most exciting times in her life. But if you’ve never planned a baby shower, you may not be sure where to start. Don’t worry - you’re not alone. Lots of other women have been in the same boat you’re in, wondering just where to start. The advice below is designed to guide you through the steps involved in planning a successful baby shower.

Select the Date and Time

The baby shower is usually held about six weeks before the baby’s due date. However, some mothers are electing to have the party after the baby is born, especially if they choose not to find out the baby’s sex beforehand. Just be sure to allow yourself plenty of time for planning. Showers can be held on either weekends or during the week - there really is no hard and fast rule. Just try to make the time and day convenient for everyone including any out-of-town guests. As for the time, consider the needs of people who must travel to attend. Also be sure to keep in mind the mother-to-be’s schedule (naps, doctor appointments, etc.).

Choose the Location

When choosing a location, make sure it is easy to get to and will accommodate the needs of the party. Oftentimes, baby showers are held at the home of the hostess (that would probably be YOU!). Try to get a rough idea of how many people will be attending before finalizing any details.

Set a Budget

If you’re like most of us, you’ll need to stick within a budget for the baby shower. Be realistic about what you can afford to spend - the mother-to-be doesn’t want you to go into debt. You should budget for invitations, favors, food and drinks, game supplies and your gift for the baby.

Create a Guest List

The best way to compile the guest list is by simply asking the mother-to-be who she would like to attend the shower. If the baby shower is a surprise, work closely with the father-to-be to create a guest list. The guest list usually includes friends and family, but a few close co-workers may also be invited. Get address, phone numbers, and email addresses. Also decide if it will be a “girl’s only” shower or a “couples” shower.

Choose a Theme

Baby showers are supposed to be fun - and yes, even a little silly. There are hundreds of delightful and fun baby shower themes to choose from - the sky’s the limit. And honestly, sometimes “Baby” is the only theme you need! No matter what theme you choose, just remember this will be the baby’s first party. Have fun with it!

Select Invitations

Invitations can range from a phone call to a printed invitation, but generally, fun invitations are sent out. If you’ve selected a particular theme, you may want the invitations to tie in to it. Remember to include all necessary contact information and baby registry information on the invitations.

Plan the Menu

Unless you’re hosting a couples baby shower or a very formal baby shower, you’re probably fine with serving a cake, mints, nuts and some drinks such as tea or punch. However, if the shower will fall during a mealtime, your guests may expect you to serve more substantial food. In that case, you can serve anything from sandwiches to a potluck type meal.

Decide on Games

Into each baby shower, a few games must fall. Seriously, these baby shower games, although sometimes quite silly, can be lots of fun and are actually expected. Just take a look at our Baby Shower Games, or throw a few of your own ideas into the mix. And don’t forget the favors!

Using the steps above will help ensure the baby shower you’re planning goes smoothly, but above all, remember to have fun with it as you honor the mother-to-be and her impending arrival.



Joanne

Sarah Porter asked:


Welcome Home Baby Showers for After the Birth of Baby and New Mom and Baby are Home

A welcome home baby shower is a shower that is held after the baby has been born. While this may not be a traditional way of celebrating the impending birth of a child, this is definitely a great way for people to get together who might not have been able to make it to the baby showers given before the baby is born. This is also a fun time for the new parents to introduce the newest member of their family and friends. Read More About Welcome Home Baby Showers.

One thing to consider is that the parents might not want to have a welcome home baby shower until several weeks after the baby has been born. Getting acquainted with their new baby and adjusting to the new routine can be a bit overwhelming, particularly if these are brand new parents.

The welcome home baby shower usually is held about a month or two after the baby has been born, giving the parents time to adjust and attach to their baby. The great thing about welcome home baby showers is that the new mom can tell the host what they still need for the baby, such as diapers, etc. Plus having a welcome home baby shower will bring the family and friends together to spend some time with the new family.

When planning the welcome home baby shower, sending the personalized welcome home baby shower invitations should be done within four weeks before the date of the welcome home baby shower party. It will be their schedule that the host will want to be sensitive to, with a new baby and his/her needs. Also indicate on the custom welcome home baby shower invitations that it is a “welcome home baby shower”. Even if people attended their baby shower before the baby was born, they will see this as an opportunity to meet the baby.

Since this is not the traditional baby shower, games are not necessarily something that needs to be planned. However, chances are the baby party will include other couples and their children. Organizing a welcome home baby shower party will most likely mirror setting up a family BBQ or backyard party. Ensure that the menu includes foods that will appeal to all ages, or at least have some kid specific dishes prepared.

Decorations for a welcome home baby party can include some balloons, if appropriate. The host should probably ask the new parents if they have any preferences, or dislikes. Remember, even though the baby is already here, this is a party for them and making the guests of honor feel welcome and important is key to a successful surprise shower party.

Planning a welcome home baby shower will be a lot simpler than a traditional baby shower as the party will be a lot more relaxed. This is an opportune time for the parents to show off their baby and for those who have not met the baby to see him or her for the first time. When planning, don’t forget the welcome home baby shower announcements and matching welcome home baby shower thank you cards as this will set the stage for a great party. Also ask the new parents of their preferences for food, date and time of day.



Amy

Faith asked:


I am helping plan a baby shower for my sister and we love family feud so we would like to have a baby edition. What are some questions and answers we could use. I have found a couple from a site but would like more.

Curtis

Patti Paz asked:


Sprinkle Baby Showers for the Second, Third, Fourth & Additional Baby

The sprinkle baby shower is usually a smaller scale shower where the guests “sprinkle” the new mom with the little necessities the new baby will need. It is not the same as the traditional shower, but rather sort of like a sprinkling of gifts for the new baby. This clever term has been gaining popularity over the years and is becoming a new trend. A sprinkle baby shower is a great idea for parents-to-be who have other children. Read More About Sprinkle Baby Showers for the Second, Third, Fourth & Additional Baby.

Traditional baby showers started as a way for family and friends to celebrate and to help a new mom prepare for the baby. The first child always lots of baby supplies, including the of big items like the crib, car seat, high chair, stroller and so on. In the past, baby showers were only held for the first child, but that is changing now. Parents they usually already have many of the traditional gifts found at baby showers, thus a ‘sprinkle’ of items may be all that is needed but it is still important to honor the expectant parents, celebrate the newest member of the family, and give them useful and thoughtful gifts. The sprinkle baby shower invitations should indicate that it is a sprinkle baby shower.

Although a “sprinkle baby shower” has become very popular for second or more children that is not to say you should not have the traditional “full baby shower” for the second, third or more baby. If the Mom-to-Be’s circumstances indicate the need for a traditional baby shower with all the trimmings, then go ahead and have one.

When planning the sprinkle baby shower, the sprinkle baby shower invitations cards can be fun and theme-oriented, such as a theme around what the needs might be. For example if the family has a boy and is expecting a girl the theme could be related to the fact that it’s a girl and we need girly things. Another idea is where guests can bring a book for the family “library” in the baby’s name, or bring a food dish that can be put into the freezer for when the baby arrives.

A new unique theme that has increased with popularity with sprinkle baby showers is a blessing way, where women gather to wish the expectant mother well wishes and different gifts are given. Guests are asked to bring an item such as a candle or bead and a gift is made for the mother at the ceremony, in addition to the gifts for the baby. This shower theme can be reflected in the sprinkle baby shower cards and baby shower thank you cards.

Sprinkle baby showers are a time when the parents-to-be receive gifts for their baby and enjoy a celebration. The parents may not be new parents but the life entering their family will be new to the world, and new to Mom, Dad, and any brothers and sisters that may already be there.

For gift ideas, try thinking of something that the Mom-to-Be might need with another baby. Since she, no doubt, already has the big items, the focus should be on the small necessities like diapers, baby bath items, diaper wipes, bottles, baby lotion, baby clothes, toys, books, baby socks and so on. Becoming a new mom the second time around, or more, can sometimes be an even harder than a new mom anticipates. And for the Mom-to-Be, maybe a gift certificate for a massage or manicure or something similar just for her!

All babies deserve to be celebrated and welcomed into the world. Regardless of what the sprinkle baby shower is called, ensure that the sprinkle baby shower announcements cards announce the type of celebration that will be held for the parents-to-be for the new life. There are lots of sample sprinkle baby shower invitations wording ideas, wording verses and sayings to help you get your personalized sprinkle baby shower invitations just right.



Sara

m _l_ asked:


im planning a baby shower and i cant find a website that has snow white and the seven dwarfs theme decorations.im also looking for a nice cake. that is related to snow white of course.
please help{need to plan shower SOON!!!}
thanks so much!

Samantha

Momma Jette asked:


Long story short, my baby shower is in a week and my mom (the person that was planning it for me) just backed out for financial reasons (yet she’s going ca,ping this weekend. Lovely, eh?) and I can’t pay for everything myself because I just had to come out of pocket $3,700 for bills and to get my car fixed today so I need to know of good ideas on how to still have my baby shower without spending a lot of money. Also, I need ideas for games.

Jane