Planning a baby shower can be very arduous and sometimes comparable to planning a wedding. If you volunteer to host an expectant mom’s baby shower, you will want to ensure that the party is perfect.
To make the celebration special for the expectant parents, you will need to plan for many things. Even though the entire process can be tiring to think about, there are a few tips you can use to break down the planning into a fun and easy procedure. Follow these tips:
1. Choose An Appropriate Date And Time For Your Baby Shower
The first step to planning any party is setting a date and time for the event. Consult the expectant parents to find the best date and time for the baby shower.
Traditionally, most baby shower parties are held when the pregnant mom is well into her pregnancy (about seven months pregnant). However, the expectant mom is still comfortable enough to engage in a party.
The time frame also gives the mom adequate time to organize the gifts she receives after the baby shower. This means she will have enough time to figure out what she needs to buy before childbirth.
2. Determine The Number Of Guests, Then Create A Guest List And A Budget
Ask the expectant parents to provide you with a comprehensive list of the guests she intends to invite. Ensure that her list includes their emails, contact information, and addresses.
Once you have the guest list, come up with a budget for the party. Getting the guest list beforehand is essential in helping you develop the proper food services and venue. You can also create a more comprehensive budget that caters to everyone’s needs once you know how many guests you need to account for.
3. Choose A Venue To Host The Baby Shower
When choosing the party’s venue, consider the number of guests, the time of the year, and your budget. Hosting the baby shower in your living room or backyard is an excellent option that provides intimacy and doesn’t stretch your budget. It saves a lot of money as you won’t have to pay for space reservations.
However, this isn’t always ideal. If the guest list for the party is big, or if you have an extensive budget, you can consider hosting the baby shower in a hotel or a restaurant. The advantage of using a restaurant or hotel is that the hotel’s staff manages the setup, cleanup, and catering for the entire event.
4. Send Invitations To The Guests
For the best etiquette, ensure that all the guests receive their invitations approximately six weeks before the baby shower. This gives everyone enough time to RSVP, reserve the date, clear their schedules, find babysitters, shop for gifts, etc.
A simple email invitation is okay if the baby shower is a casual party. If the baby shower is more formal, send a paper invitation to the guests. You can make the invitation fancier by using embossed cards and customizing them to your liking.
5. Plan The Decor And Menu For The Baby Shower
The best way to ensure no last-minute rushes is to have everything in check at least three weeks before the baby shower. At this point, you should have purchased the nonperishable decorations and made or bought place cards.
You should also have finalized the menu, making sure to customize it to the expectant mom’s tastes. You can go for comfort foods such as mini fried chicken, mini sliders, mini cupcakes, or small potato salad bowls. You can also try Mexican cuisines such as guacamole, tacos, nonalcoholic margaritas, and salsa. You can serve miniature portions of the dishes to keep the guests lively and engaging.
6. Prepare An Agenda For The Baby Shower
The next step is to prepare a timeline for the baby shower. This can include gift opening, games, eating, and drinking. Organize these events to ensure continuous fun so your guests are engaged and entertained.
As the guests arrive, offer them a drink to keep them busy. Once they have arrived, kick off the baby shower with an engaging activity. You can then serve the food as the expectant mother opens her gifts, then follow this up with dessert and coffee.
Bottom Line
Ensure to keep the interest of your guests in mind. Ensure that everyone enjoys the baby shower by keeping them active and entertained. Additionally, ensure to provide delicious cuisine and refreshing drinks to the guests.
