How To Throw The Perfect Baby Shower


by Tracey Valerio - Date: 2007-03-26 - Word Count: 786 Share This!

When planning a baby shower for a friend or relative, there are many important things to consider. You need to make sure the mom-to-be is included when picking the date and choosing the guests to invite. You need to make sure you can accomodate the invited number of guests at your home or choose a restaurant that can. Do not invite 40 people hoping that 15 can't make it. Plan on that amount because although some people make r.s.v.p. "no", others will bring their children or nannies which will bring the count back up. If hosting the event at your home, you need to make sure you have enough food & drink for everyone. Regardless of where you have it, it is up to you to make sure everyone gets an invitation, that there are games, prizes and baby shower favors to make the event as fun as possible. Even though you are throwing the shower, you still need to buy the mom-to-be a gift.

Pick the Date:

I would suggest picking a date at least 1 month prior to the due date, but always check with the mom-to-be first. In most cases, this is strictly an "all girl" event, but if daddy-to-be wants to come, just make sure there are gifts just for him as well as a game so he does not feel out of place.

Pick a Theme:

Not everybody has a theme that truly fits them, so sometimes a color scheme works best. If you know the baby's sex, then pink or blue will fit, or if it is unknown, pastels are always a good choice. There are websites you can use to buy everything from invitations to decorations so take a look at these options first, especially if you are having a theme or color scheme and want everything to match.

Send out Invitations:

Work with the mom-to-be and possibly the parents to make sure everyone is on the list. If her co-workers or neighbors are throwing a seperate shower, you need not invite them unless she indicated to do so. If you know of a "surprise" baby shower, you may need to invite those people so she doesn't get suspicious of the other shower. Invitations should go out 6-8 weeks before the baby shower, with an r.s.v.p. of 2 weeks before the shower so you can plan the menu. Be sure to use a number where people can leave a message if you don't answer. Leave a list of invitees by the phone so you can mark them off as you get responses. If someone does not reply, plan on them being there.

Plan the Menu:

Usually baby showers are planned for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. If you choose between the hours of 11:00am-2:00pm, you can serve brunch or lunch. Anytime after 2:00pm plan on lunch. I like to serve breakfast casseroles for the earlier parties-they are prepared the day before and eliminate extra work and clean up the day of the shower. For lunch ideas, I like to make chicken salad crossaints or have a deli tray of make-your-own sandwiches. Tossed and fruit salads are great for either time of day. Always have a vegetarian option for those who don't eat meat or who are on a diet. A cake for dessert is the easiest, but be creative. Decorate it with your theme in mind, or get a baby picture of the mon-to-be and have your local bakery screen that on the cake.

For drinks, no one expects a full bar, since the guest of honor cannot partake! Serving a nice champagne punch or sangria is all you need, or think about making a non-alcoholic punch with champagne on the side for those who wish to indulge. Mimosas or Mojitos are a fun idea, for either time of day. Make sure to have plenty of bottled water, soda & diet soda on hand as well. If children will be attending, juice boxes are a safe an easy way to go for them!

Plan the Party Schedule:

If you had planned an 11:00am Sunday brunch, here's a possible schedule:
10:30 Take out breakfast casseroles to bring to room temperature-Pre heat oven to 350.
10:50 Put breakfast & potato casseroles in oven
11:00-11:30 Greet guests, offer beverages
11:30-12:00 Play first baby shower game and give out prizes
11:55 Take out casseroles, mix salads and put out bagels & spreads
12:00-1:00 Serve Brunch, refill drinks
1:00-1:30 Play second baby shower game and give out prizes
1:30-2:30 Make sure everyone has a seat & a drink, then open gifts. Ask a friend to write down who each gift is from as a courtesy to the mom-to-be.
2:30-3:00 Relax, enjoy yourself, and as guests leave be sure each one gets a baby shower favor to remember this great day!


Related Tags: baby shower, baby shower favors

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