When celebrating an event as joyous as a baby’s imminent arrival, you can be as silly – or as traditional or creative – as you want to be.
- Give yourself plenty of time to plan. Showers usually take place in the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy.
- Decide whether the shower is for women only. Traditionally, you throw a baby shower for the mother-to-be, with only female friends and relatives as guests. But today, showers that include men – with both expectant parents as guests of honor – have become increasingly popular.
- Determine the time of day and location – making sure above all that it’s convenient for the guest(s) of honor – and approximately how many guests you’d like to invite.
- Decide whether to make the shower a surprise. Keep your honorees’ personalities in mind – remember that not everyone likes surprises.
- Think about possible shower themes, such as teddy bears, bottles or balloons. Or pick a gift theme like ‘Around the House,’ assigning each guest to bring a baby gift for use in a different room – the kitchen, the bedroom, the bathroom and so forth. (It’s OK to ask for more than one gift per room.)
- Create a guest list. If the shower is not a surprise, consult the guests of honor about whom they’d like to invite; if it is a surprise, consult a close friend or relative to make sure you don’t leave anyone out.
- Send out invitations at least three weeks in advance. Include directions, surprise-party instructions if applicable, and the theme, if you’ve chosen one. If possible, mention the color scheme and theme of the baby’s room as well.
- Find out if the parents-to-be are registered for gifts at a particular store. Have this information ready in case any of the guests ask.
- Make a table centerpiece composed of flowers, a basket and candles, bouquets of baby socks or a baby doll – or buy a centerpiece at a party store. Coordinate the centerpiece and decorations with your theme, if you’ve chosen one.
- Decide if you want guests to play any games. If so, buy small gifts for the winners – some possible prizes could be plants, blank books, candles and bookmarks.
- Make food, buy takeout or hire a caterer. Don’t forget supplies – cups, plates, napkins and utensils.
- At the shower, keep track of presents as the guests of honor open them – this will help them when they’re writing thank-you notes.
