History of Baby Showers
A baby shower was originally offered for the first baby of the Mommy-to-Be but that tradition has changed to being for all “new additions” to a family since they are all miracles and deserve to be showered with love and gifts. Usually, the baby shower is held in an afternoon on a weekend when most people can attend. The person throwing the baby shower is usually a family member or close family friend. Originally, one baby shower would be thrown for a Mommy-to-Be, but today many women have more than one party because they have different groups of friends, co-workers and family members. For mommies having their second, third, fourth or any other than their first child, the custom is referred to as “sprinkles”.
A baby shower can range from very elegant to very causal, depending on the mood you would like to set! They can take place at a restaurant, bar, country club or someone’s home and usually last only a few hours. It is customary for the Mommy-to-Be to receive baby shower gifts from her guests as well as give gifts out to the women who plan the baby shower.
The baby shower is known for usually serving some type of food, whether a meal or snacks and can range from being a very inexpensive party to one that is expensive. It is important to remember that the baby shower party is not about who can spend the most or impress their baby shower guests, but who can create a memorable time with great friends and have lots of laughs.
The cost of the baby shower is usually paid those hosting the baby shower. This is the reason why there are sometimes co-host to sponsor baby showers. The baby shower party costs depends on if you are serving a full meal at the baby shower or just hors d’oeuvres, the type of baby shower games and baby shower prizes planned, the baby shower decorations and where you will have the baby shower. There are many ways to invite guests to your baby shower, but personalized baby shower invitations are, by far, the most preferred way. Custom and unique baby shower invitations are a great way to set the tone for your baby shower, and they also provide a reminder for the guests to put on their bulletin boards. Our exclusive collection of unique baby shower invitations announcements cards and matching baby shower thank you cards can ONLY be found on Cards Personalized and its affiliate cards sites. Baby Shower Invitations, Baby Shower Announcements and Baby Shower Cards are available from Cards Shoppe.com
Purpose of Baby Showers
Baby showers are joyful occasions, times when family and friends gather to congratulate the Mommy-to-Be, play baby shower games, give baby shower gifts and eat. But, the purpose of a baby shower is a lot more than just fun and games. Baby Showers offer an opportunity for family members and friends to offer advice and support to the soon-to-be mommy and daddy. Baby showers allow friends and family to share the joy and excitement of welcoming a new life into the world, and provide emotional support to the new parents-to-be. It is very common for a Mommy-to-Be or Daddy-to-Be to be nervous about their new roles as parents. A few words of advice from friends and family member can be extremely helpful and calming, and the presence of all those attending the baby showers is a supportive gesture that is always appreciated.
Who Should Host Baby Showers
In the past, baby showers were hosted by someone outside the family like, co-workers, a friend, a symbolic aunt, a church member and so on. Today, anyone other than the Mommy-to-Be and her mom, can host the baby shower. It is most often for the best friend, aunt, or sister to throw the Mommy-to-Be the baby shower. The important thing is that someone take the initiative to host the shower. What a wonderful display of caring for a growing family and a special way to help welcome a new life into the world. When it comes right down to it, the only person who absolutely should not host the baby shower is the expecting mom herself! It is also perfectly acceptable for two or more people to host the baby shower. It can be fun for a group of friends to share the responsibilities and excitement of planning and hosting this special event. The hostess will need to ensure the baby shower invitations, baby shower thank you cards, baby shower party decorations and baby shower party supplies are ordered that match the overall theme of the baby shower.
Types of Baby Showers
Surprise Baby Shower – Surprise baby showers can be fun if they are the Mommy-to-Be typically enjoys such events. If you are thinking of hosting a surprise baby shower, you must have the help of those close to the Mommy-to-Be to determine her needs and wants for the baby. The guest list will also need to be planned very carefully, checking it with a close relative or friend to ensure you haven’t left anyone out close to the Mommy-to-Be. Although the surprise baby shower is not traditional, sometimes it is nice for a second baby shower (if the Mommy-to-Be is going to have a second) to throw a surprise baby shower.
Keep in mind that surprise baby showers can be stressful for the Mommy-to-Be as well as the planners, since you need to en sure you invite the right people without asking, and pick an available time when the Mommy-to-Be and family will be around. Usually surprise baby shower is not the first baby shower, but if there are going to be multiple showers then this can be fun! No matter whether the baby shower is a surprise or not, keep in mind that it is for the mom!
A non-surprise baby shower is a safer bet, since it gives you a chance to review the guest list with the Mommy-to-Be and also allows the Mommy-to-Be to register for gifts and let the host know if there is anything particular needed for the baby.
Regardless of whether the baby shower is a surprise or not, remember it is for the Mommy-to-Be! Make sure she has a comfy chair to sit in, someone to hand her gifts, her favorite food and plenty of help getting the gifts to her car and into her home. It’s her special day!
Couples Baby Shower – Baby showers have always tended to be for women, with women and about women, but times are changing. Fathers are now taking a more active role in planning for the new baby and might feel left out in the baby shower party celebrations. If you are considering a couples baby shower, the big consideration is to make the men feel welcome and comfortable.
You should limit the cutesy baby shower decorations for the couples baby shower, and the food shouldn’t be all dainty either. You might consider a BBQ, giant sub sandwiches, pizza or a deli style buffet. Since you are all there to have a good time, structure is much less important. You will want to have nametags with the relationship to the parents-to-be if you are mixing people who know each other with those who don’t, and make sure you have a large, special name tag for the Mommy-to-Be.
There are also appropriate gifts for the Daddy-to-Be like a “coach” t-shirt, so don’t forget about him. Baby Shower favors can be given, but give something that would be appreciated by the couple, like candles and food items which are always a good choice. Other ideas are to make cookies with baby themed cookie cutters, then frost them with the baby’s name (if known) or a question mark and the couple’s last name. You could wrap the cookies in cellophane and put them next to a cute baking favor like the baby shower rolling pin recipe cardholder. You could even put a recipe for the cookies behind the card that’s included with the favor! (What man does not love cookies!)
Couples baby shower games should be funny and easy for all guests. You can take the couples first names and determine how many baby names can be derived from the letters. A prize can be given for the funniest name and the most names devised. Always a great game is to fill baby bottles with a favorite beverage and see who can empty the bottle first. Have all of the couple baby shower guests bring their baby pictures, number them and see who can guess the most correctly. The couples baby shower prizes should be something silly, like Nerf basketball sets or Frisbees. Don’t forget to take plenty of pictures and put someone in charge of videotaping so that the pictures and video tapes can be given to the new parents. Couples baby showers can be a great way to combine a baby shower celebration and an evening out with friends. When sending the couples baby shower invitations, be sure and indicate that it is a baby shower for couples.
Baby Showers for the second . . . or More child – Although baby showers have traditionally been for first time parents, it is becoming more common for family, friends or co-workers to have a baby shower for the second child, third child or beyond. It’s wonderful to hold babyshowers for second and third babies, since they deserve special recognition too! Parents will appreciate new clothes for the baby, particularly if they are having a different gender child from their other children.
Baby shower gifts of time are also very welcome! New moms will appreciate your assistance with household chores, a gift of babysitting or some home-cooked meals brought to her house. It’s also a great idea to give something to the parents for themselves, like tickets to a movie, a gift certificate for dinner at a restaurant or items mom can use to pamper herself, like body lotion, candles, pretty soaps or maybe even a good book of short stories. When planning these type baby showers, the safest route to take is to ask the expectant parents what items they have and what they need. When sending the printed baby shower invitations, be sure and indicate that it is a second, third, fourth child babyshower.
Baby Showers for Single Moms – Baby Showers for single moms are perfectly acceptable and always a good idea. Single moms will need extra support, and a baby shower will allow her family friends to show their support. Here, gifts of your time and energy will be ideal and appreciated.
Welcome Home Baby Shower – A welcome home baby shower is an “after the fact” baby shower of the little one being born! This baby shower is not your traditional party or baby shower, but a great way for people who could not attend the baby shower to join in the fun. The biggest drawback to a welcome home baby shower is that the new parents are usually overwhelmed with the new baby and usually want some time alone. The welcome home baby showers are mostly held a month or two after the baby is born to give the parents time to adjust. The nice thing about welcome home baby showers is that the Mommy-to-Be can tell her host and guests what she still needs for the baby, so it is a great way for her to get all the essentials she still does not have for the new baby. When you send custom welcome home baby shower invitations, be sure to indicate that it is a welcome home baby shower. And don’t forget your matching welcome home baby shower thank you cards with the same theme as your welcome home baby shower cards.
Preparing the Baby Showers Guest Lists
The first step to planning and hosting successful baby showers is to prepare the guest list. Creating the initial baby shower guest list will assist in determining how many people will be invited to the baby shower. The number of guests invited to the baby shower is usually the biggest factor in developing your baby shower budget. It’s always a good idea to determine if the Mommy-to-Be is going to have other baby showers given by her family member or friends. Talk to the Mommy-to-Be’s family members and friends about the other baby shower dates and baby shower invitation list. Other than her immediate family members, there is no need to invite people that are attending the Mommy-to-Be’s other baby showers unless you want to. Make sure you have current addresses and phone numbers for everyone. This will allow you to use the baby shower guest list to keep track of RSVPs. Plus you can give it to the Mommy-to-Be so she will have everyone’s correct address to send personalized baby shower thank you cards.
The baby shower hostess is likely have some idea of those the Mommy-to-Be wants to invite to the baby shower, but it is always a safe bet to run the guest list by the Mommy-to-Be to ensure no one has been left off the list. If the baby shower is not for a first born, you might want to invite only those close to the Mommy-to-Be or those who have not attended previous baby showers.
Here’s a quick summary of things to remember when preparing the baby shower guests list:
a. Check with the Mommy-to-Be’s for the guest list as to who should be sent baby shower invitations
b. Ensure there are no schedule conflicts with the significant people attending, like Mommy-to-Be, her mom, her husband, if it is a couples baby shower and best friends
c. Give the baby shower invited guests enough time to purchase baby shower gifts. Custom and personalized baby shower invitations should be mailed four to six weeks before the date of the baby shower
d. The printed baby shower invitations announcements cards should include the name of the Mommy-to-Be, host, location, date, directions, phone number for emergencies, RSVP, where the Mommy-to-Be is registered, theme of the baby shower and any other pertinent information
Although guests can be invited to the baby shower by phone or e-mail, sending personalized baby shower invitations is still the most preferred way to invite the baby shower guests. Customized baby shower invitations are a great way to set the theme for the baby shower and also a reminder for the guests to keep on their bulletin board or refrigerator door. You can purchase printed baby shower invitations announcements cards from Cards Personalized and get the baby shower invitations exactly like you want with all your personal information.
When personalizing your printable baby shower invitations, be sure and include all the pertinent information:
· Name of Mommy-to-Be and hostess
· Location
· Date and time
· Directions
· Phone Number in case of emergency
· RSVP
· Where the Mommy-to-Be is registered
· Theme for Baby Shower
Invite Men or Not to Invite Men to the Baby Shower – Inviting men to the baby shower depends on the type of baby shower you are planning. Guys likely will not be interested in playing traditional baby shower games and eating cutesy foods while ooohing and aaahing over a Mommy-to-Be’s tummy! Having said that, a babyshower can be a special event for Daddy-to-Be’s as well as Mommy-to-Be if they’re organized with women and men in mind. If the baby shower party is not a surprise, be sure to check with the Mommy-to-Be as to whether the Daddy-to-Be (and his friends) would enjoy a baby shower celebration. If baby shower games are planned at your babyshower, be sure to make them “men friendly.” Have plenty of food available for your male guests. And, it would be a nice touch to include gifts that are special for the Daddy-to-Be like, an “I love my daddy” bib for the baby, a book on fathers and children or maybe a frame Dad can take to the office to display a new picture of his baby!
Do I invite a friend who recently miscarried or is dealing with infertility – In situations like these, you should err on the side of caution. Although your friend might not want to attend the baby shower because it would be too painful, she might feel even more hurt if she isn’t even invited to the baby shower. You might very discretely ask your friend if she would feel up to coming, and let her make the decision. Let her know that it is OK for her to decline the baby shower invitation if a baby shower will make her uncomfortable.
A Friend who recently Miscarried or is dealing with Infertility – In deciding whether to invite a friend who recently had a miscarriage or is dealing with infertility, it is usually better to err on the side of caution. While your friend may not want to attend the babyshower because it would be too painful, she may feel even more hurt if she isn’t invited at all. Gently ask your friend if she would feel up to coming. Assure her that it is ok for her to decline the baby shower invitation if a baby shower is just too difficult for her.
When to Have the Baby Showers
Customarily, baby showers are held a month or two before the baby is born. Baby showers should not be held too close to the Mommy-to-Be’s due date in case she delivers early, and It is also helpful to have the baby shower far enough away so the Mommy-to-Be has time to return duplicate or unneeded items. She should also have sufficient time to purchase the items she did not receive at the baby showers that might not have been on her baby shower registry. The extra time before the birth also helps the Mommy and Daddy-to-Be set up all the great baby shower gifts they received.
Some couples prefer a “Welcome Home Baby Shower” which is held a few weeks AFTER the baby arrives, especially if guests want to bring gifts specifically for the new baby boy or girl. The welcome home baby shower is particularly suitable for out-of-town relatives and guests who would love to attend the baby shower but cannot arrange two trips. If you have a Welcoming Baby Shower, be sure to include this on the unique and printed baby shower invitations.
It is usually better to host the baby shower on a Saturday or Sunday. Contact some of the significant guests, especially out of town family or friends, to make sure they are available on dates you have in mind. You will want to be mindful that Friday night and Saturday baby shower parties are usually more expensive than Sundays if you are having the baby shower at a location other than a home.
Where to Have the Baby Showers
Where should you have the baby shower? The answer depends on several factors! Traditionally, baby showers are held at a home, word, restaurant, or church / temple. Baby showers nowadays are held at parks, country clubs, bars, restaurants and any place where people can gather. However, the preferred choice for the baby shower place is the warmth of some friend’s house since it is more comfortable, quaint and homey. For the second or third baby shower, a restaurant with a private room, bar or church / temple are great places to host the baby showers. Cost is an important consideration since someone will have to pay for the baby shower costs. The weather time of day and are also important considerations when deciding where the baby showers should be held.
You should ensure that the baby shower location is large enough to accommodate your guest list. Regardless of whether you host the baby shower at a home, restaurant, hotel or rented space, make sure everything is planned and it will be an excellent shower! Hosting the baby shower at home will save a considerable amount of your budget. However, you will still need to spend money on plates, cups, napkins, eating utensils and possibly table rentals. If the baby shower will be at a restaurant, you should start looking for locations early. You should visit potential locations to make sure it will accommodate your party, works with your baby shower theme and serves food that the Mommy-to-Be and your guests will enjoy. You should ensure that the location you choose will match your baby shower theme and will allow you to decorate for that theme.
Baby Shower Party at Home – The most popular place to have baby showers is in someone’s home since homes are warm and cozy, and usually you don’t have to worry about making too much noise. But, homes are often too small for a large number of guests. One of the first things decisions when planning baby showers is how many people the home can comfortably accommodate. The furniture should be moved so the baby shower guests can sit in an arrangement that will allow for pleasant conversation.
There are many types of baby showers for the home you can plan. Home baby showers are likely to be attended by guests of all ages, so you will want to keep the baby shower party fun for everyone. Some baby shower ideas that may be fun for younger guests might not be appropriate for older ones. A cute home baby shower favor idea is to make cookies, frost them with the Mom’s name, wrap them and put them next to a cute baking favor like the baby shower rolling pin recipe card holder. You could even put a recipe for the cookies behind the recipe card that’s included with the baby shower favor!
Baby Shower Party at Restaurant – A restaurant or banquet hall provides lots of space baby showers in an elegant atmosphere. The restaurant does the food preparation, clean up and other tasks, so your work is minimized. The biggest challenge to having the baby shower at a restaurant is to make the guests feel welcome and to create a comfortable atmosphere for conversation and sharing.
You should select a restaurant convenient to most of your guests and Mommy-to-Be. Plan the baby shower far enough in advance so that you can make the reservations. It will be difficult at that time to estimate the number of guests attending the baby shower, but you can check with many guests before mailing the baby shower invitations, so that you can give the restaurant your best guess. Always try the food yourself, BEFORE selecting the menu for the baby shower. You should be aware of your guests’ dietary needs, and you might want to share the menu in advance or ask if anyone has any special dietary restrictions. Arrange for the restaurant has an alternative available if a guest can’t eat the foods that have been chosen. If any guest rejects the meal, the server should be instructed to ask the guest if she would prefer an alternative. Always check with the restaurant beforehand if you are bringing your own cake.
If you are hosting a large group for the baby shower, you might consider using baby shower place cards. It is also a nice little extra to have name tags for each guest indicating their relationship to the Mommy-to-Be, and don’t forget a name tag for the guest of honor. Baby shower decorations add a warm touch, but keep them simple. A cluster of helium baby shower balloons and a baby shower banner over the gift table add a festive touch. Don’t forget to give the guests a cute baby shower favor.
Baby shower games are sometimes not appropriate at a restaurant, but if the restaurant is casual and you have a private area, a simple baby shower game might be considered. Be mindful of your allotted time at the restaurant so that all of the baby shower gifts can be opened comfortably without being rushed. As the guests leave, it’s an added feature to have someone photograph the Mommy-to-Be with each departing baby shower guest. Have duplicate prints made and let the Mommy-to-Be include one in each of her baby shower thank you cards. It’s a thoughtful baby shower gift for both the guest and Mommy-to-Be.
Baby Shower Party at the Office or Work – When planning baby showers, one of the first decisions to be made is where to have the party. If it will be held at work, check with the human resources department to be certain there will be no conflict and verify that an appropriate area will be available. Deciding who to send office baby shower invitations to might be difficult in a large business, because some people may feel left out. Ask the Mommy-to-Be for advice and suggestions. One person should act as the host or hostess and delegate other tasks. The immediate co-workers normally pay the direct costs for the baby shower. Baby shower decorations and baby shower party supplies should be easily disposable. A cluster of baby shower balloons and a personalized baby shower banner would be appropriate. You should decide in advance if lunch will be part of the program or only desert. You will need to decide on something easy like pizza, while some office baby shower parties decide to make it a potluck.
An office baby shower party usually allows very little time for baby shower games, but the lottery style scratch off game cards are perfect for these type of baby showers. Ask each person to write down her suggestions for keeping the new baby happy. These suggestions can be funny or serious, and should be read just before the Mommy-to-Be opens the baby shower gifts. Ask someone to take pictures and get doubles printed so the Mommy-to-Be can have one set and the others can be posted and shared with all.
If the baby shower party is being held during working hours, time could be a factor. The hostess should keep everyone and the baby shower on schedule. A clean up committee should be appointed in advance and should be responsible for returning the room to its original appearance. Have fun, but remember, it is still an office environment. And, above all, don’t forget to send personalized baby shower thank you cards.
Selecting the Theme for Baby Showers
As you are deciding on a theme for the baby shower, you need to remember that it will set the tone of the entire baby shower party. The baby shower theme effects whom you invite to the baby shower, where you have the baby shower, the menu and decorations for the baby shower, the baby shower invitations and baby shower thank you cards. You should not make the Baby shower theme complicated. Baby shower themes can be as simple as blue or pink if you know the sex of the baby. Always be mindful and consider what Mommy-to-Be’s style is and what baby shower theme she prefers. It is always advisable to consider the guest list when deciding on the baby shower theme. The hostess will need to set the theme for the baby shower so personalized baby shower invitations with matching baby shower thank you cards and baby shower party supplies can be purchased. The customized baby shower invitations and baby shower thank you cards should match the theme of the baby shower.
Baby Shower Party Decorations
If the baby shower party is in a restaurant, you will still need to buy baby shower decorations and supplies like balloons, streamers and other baby shower decorations. However, the restaurant might restrict the baby shower decorations you can use in the restaurant. If you’re hosting the baby shower somewhere other than a restaurant, you will need to buy plates, napkins, cups, eating utensils and other baby shower party supplies. 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 liquids.
Baby Showers Party Food Menu
It is customary to serve food and beverages at a baby shower party. In the past, baby showers were at high tea hour (afternoon) when women with their umbrellas would sit around on a warm day and get together for tea and light snacks. Today, for food, nearly anything goes, from finger foods, candy on tables, appetizers, to complete meals at restaurants. Tea has been replaced with cold beverages, wine, coffee and other drinks. However, the one “must†is to have a baby shower cake for the Mommy-to-Be. The menu for baby showers should be based on:
(a) what the Mommy-to-Be wants
(b) budget
(c) length of the baby shower
(d) location of the baby shower
(e) number of guests attending
(f) time of the baby shower
(g) the season
There are many options for the baby showers menu, ranging from appetizers to a full meal. If the baby shower is at a restaurant, you will need to coordinate the menu with the restaurant. Most restaurants provide food set up as a buffet or a sit down setting. The restaurant will help you match the menu to your baby shower theme and the personalized baby shower invitations theme.
For baby showers at home, you can make your own food, cater or a combination of the two. If you are having the baby shower catered, ask the caterer to send you a menu to review. Again, you will have the option of setting up a buffet or cooking a sit down menu. Just leave room for cake.
Baby Showers Budget – Costs & Who Pays?
Usually those hosting the baby shower pay the cost of the baby shower. For this reason, many people elect to have co-host who sponsor the baby showers. The costs of the baby shower party depends on the type of baby shower games and baby shower prizes you plan, whether you are serving a full meal at the party or just hors d’oeuvres, where you will have the baby shower and how elaborate you want to be with baby shower decorations.
Preparing your baby shower budget should be one of the first priorities in your planning process. It will determine the location of the baby shower, baby shower decorations, menu, prizes and more. If you have a relatively small budget, don’t worry – there are plenty of options. If you have a small group, your home or someone else’s home is a good option. Food and location are usually the largest costs, so if you are able to host the baby shower at a home, you will save a significant portion of your budget that can be reallocated to food, baby shower invitations, baby shower party supplies and so on. If you have a large guest list, you may want to look for friends to help you host because you will probably need to host the baby shower at a restaurant. Potential co-hosts can be close friends of Mommy-to-Be or her family members. Family members may even just contribute money. Once you have a budget, you should make a list of all of the baby shower costs.
Baby Showers Planning Guide
Hosting a successful baby shower requires good planning and organization. We have developed a timeline and step-by-step planning guide that will help you organize and prepare a successful baby shower, stay in control during the baby shower party and ensure the Mommy-to-Be has the time of her life.
Ten Weeks Before:
—– Decide on a general baby shower plan
—– Prepare a budget
—– Set the date of the baby shower
—– Select the location for the baby shower party
Eight Weeks Before:
—– Prepare guest list; ensure addresses are correct
—– Determine the baby shower theme
—– Choose the food for the baby shower
—– If catering, hire the caterer
—– Order personalized baby shower invitations with matching baby shower thank you cards
Six Weeks Before:
—– Ensure the printed baby shower invitations and matching baby shower thank you cards have arrived
—– Start addressing the custom baby shower invitations
—– Assign responsibilities for various duties for the baby shower
—– Delegate one guest to photograph and / or videotape the baby shower
Four Weeks Before:
—– Mail unique baby shower invitations to invited guests
—– Order baby shower party supplies
—– Book the entertainer if one is planned or budgeted for
Three Weeks Before:
—– Count the serving ware you have available
—– Conclude the baby shower menu
—– Start buying the nonperishable baby shower items
—– Select the baby shower games to be played at the baby shower party
Two Weeks Before:
—– Call invited guests who have not relied to the unique baby shower invitations
—– Verify all baby shower party favors and baby shower party supplies will arrive on time
—– Create seating arrangements for guests at the baby shower
—– Purchase beverages for the baby shower
—– Buy the present for the Mommy-to-Be
One Week Before:
—– Place order with the florist
—– Order baby shower cake, if you’re not baking it yourself
—– Order any prepared foods
—– Order baby shower balloons
—– Inventory household supplies
—– If it is a surprise baby shower, develop a plan for Mommy-to-Be to get to the baby shower party
—– Assemble the baby shower favors and baby shower decorations
—– Confirm rentals, entertainment and baby shower party site, if not at your home
One Day Before:
—– Clean house where baby shower will be held, if at a home
—– Cook dishes that can be prepared in advance
—– Bake the baby shower cake and refrigerate
—– Check in delivery of rentals
—– Buy perishable ingredients and ice
—– Wrap baby shower present to the Mommy-to-Be
—– Begin decorating
Day of the Party:
—– Get flowers from the florist, if ordered
—– Pick up cake or frost cake if baked at home
—– Get prepared foods, rolls and bread
—– Finish assembling homemade food and cooking
—– Set up the gift station for the baby shower gifts
—– Final cleanup of the bathroom or powder room
—– Set tables
—– Arrive early if baby shower party site is not at your home
During the Party:
—– Greet guests
—– Kick off the baby shower party
—– Coordinate with your guest video recorder and / or photographer
After the Party:
—– Gather all the baby shower presents
—– Pay balances and tips if baby shower is not at your home
—– Allow others to help you clean up
Baby Shower Games & Baby Shower Prizes
The baby shower games played at your baby shower are usually one of the most memorable experiences during the pre-baby events. However, to ensure your baby shower games are successful you will need some thoughtful baby shower party planning. Before starting the baby shower games, it’s a good idea to go around the room and have everyone introduce themselves and their relationship to the Mommy-to-Be.
Here’s some of the more popular baby shower games you can play during the baby shower:
· Guess Mommy-to-Be’s Tummy Size: You will need some string / yarn and scissors for this game. Have each participant pull the yarn to the size they believe would fit perfectly around the Mommy-to-Be’s center of her pregnant tummy. After everyone cuts their string, compare the results to the Mommy-to-Be’s actual tummy. Give a prize to the guest who is the closest! This baby shower game is an ole favorite and will be enjoyed by all.
· Say “Baby”: You will need baby safety pins or another type of baby object you can place on a string for each guests at the baby shower as well as string or yarn, enough for each woman to wear as a necklace. Have each guest place the necklace with the baby safety pins around her neck when she gets to the party. The rules for this baby shower game are given at the beginning of the baby shower. Whenever someone says the word “baby” during the baby shower, any woman who calls it out gets a pin from the other woman who stated the word. At the end of the baby shower, the woman with the most pins wins a prize.
· Naming Baby Items: You will need a pad of paper and pen for each guest. Have each guest write down as many baby products as they can name, such as bottle, blanket, pacifier, etc during a five minute period. This sounds easy, and IS at first, but during last few minutes, the participants will start racking their brains for more baby items. The guest with the most baby products named will win and receive a prize.
· Make The Mommy-to-Be’s Baby: You will need baby magazines, scissors, glue and paper. Divide the guests into teams with each team having three members, and give each team some baby magazines. Ask each team to cut out pieces of different baby qualities and put together a picture of what they think the Mommy-to-Be’s baby will look like. Ask the Mommy-to-Be pick the baby she likes the best. Prizes will go to the winning team. This is another of the most popular baby shower games.
· Guess The Gerber’s: You will need Gerber’s infant food, pads of paper and pens. You will need to take the labels off of the baby food jars and have the guests at the baby shower guess the food, i.e. carrots, peas, sweet potato. This game usually has ten different jars or more of different baby food. The winner is the guest with the most correct guesses.
· Guess the Number of Safety Pins: You will need a lot of safety pins and a jar. Pass a jar full of baby safety pins around so all the guests can view it. Each guess will then guess the number of safety pins they think are in the jar. The one who guesses the closest wins a baby shower prize. This another baby shower game favorite.
· Knowing the Mommy-to-Be: You will need preprinted forms and a pen for each guests. Have each baby shower guest guess what features she wants most on the baby from either the Mommy-to-Be or Daddy-to-Be. Here’s some ideas to use:
Features
|
Mommy-to-Be |
Daddy-to-Be |
|
Ears |
X |
|
Eyes
|
|
X |
|
Hair |
X |
|
|
Humor |
X |
|
|
Intelligence |
|
X |
|
Legs |
X |
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Nose |
X |
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Other |
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X |
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Smile |
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X |
You might want to select 20 to 25 attributes and ask everyone to complete the form with what each guest feels the “Mommy-to-Be’s” point of view” will be. After everyone completes the list, have the Mommy-to-Be give her preference. The one with the most correct match to the Mommy-to-Be wins a prize.
· Place The Baby On The Mommy-to-Be: You will need cutouts of a baby, tape and blindfolds. This is a version of Pin The Tail on the Donkey, a game kids love to play. Blindfold each guests and give them a paper baby to place the baby as close to the Mommy-to-Be’s tummy as possible. The one who gets closest to placing the paper baby on the pregnant tummy wins.
· Bottle Races: You will need several baby bottles with milk. Have each guest take a bottle filled with a milk (you may substitute milk for another liquid) and suck the bottle as a baby would. The woman who drinks the most during an allotted time wins the baby shower gift. This is always a laughter filled baby shower game.
· Baby Bingo: You will need pens and bingo cards. Before opening the baby shower gifts, number each baby shower gift on the box starting with one. If you know that 35 people will be attending the baby shower, pre-print bingo cards with numbers 1 through 35 and randomly place them on 35 cards. When the Mommy-to-Be’s decides to open the presents, she grabs the present she wants to open and reads the number out loud. As soon as someone receives bingo, they win the baby shower game and the baby shower prize.
· “B” is for ????? (Baby): You will need paper and pens. Each guests is to write the babies Mommy-to-Be and Daddy-to-Be’s name on a paper going vertically down the page. Next to each letter of both names, write a work that is baby related or things that kids like. The one who guesses the most words that are the same as the Mommy-to-Be wins a prize. An example of using the names Kim and Dan:
K = kite
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D = drool |
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I = ice cream |
A = alphabet |
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M = mother |
N = nap |
· What’s the baby item: You will need various baby products and a blindfold. A bag of baby items are placed in front of the Mommy-to-Be for her to take one item out at a time blindfolded and tell the baby shower guests what item she has in her hands. This is really fun baby shower game when you choose some crazy baby toys or products.
· Complete the Baby Rhyme: You will need a book containing baby rhymes. The host will read out loud to all the guest a part of the rhyme, which is to be completed by the other women. Let’s see how many Baby Shower Guests can finish the following Rhymes we have all grown up with
a. Mary had a little lamb, it’s was white as snow.
b. Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any ?
c. Mary, Mary, quite , how does your garden grow?
d. Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub, and how do you think —— ——— ——-?
e. Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, —————– —————-!
f. Little Jack Horner, sat in a corner, eating his ————– pie;
g. Little Miss Muffet, sat on a tuffet, eating her ————- and —————.
h. Peter Piper picked a peck of ———— ————-.
i. One, two, buckle my shoe, three four, ————- at the door.
j. Peter, Peter, pumpkin-eater, had a wife but couldn’t ———— her.
k. Old Mother Hubbard, went to the .
l. There was an old woman, who lived in a .
m. Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no .
n. Hey diddle, diddle, the and the fiddle.
o. Rock-a-bye baby, on the .
Here are the answers below to the questions. It is great to give the winner a baby shower small gift for participating. Read the answers that people have put out loud since you will have some funny ones.
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a. fleece |
b. wool |
c. contrary |
d. they got there |
e. Baker’s man |
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f. Christmas |
g. curds, whey |
h. pickled peppers |
i. knock |
j. keep |
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k. cupboard |
l. shoe |
m. lean |
n. cat |
o. treetop |
· Baby Bingo: You will need pens and bingo cards. Before opening the baby shower gifts, number each baby shower gift on the box starting with one. If you know that 35 people will be attending the baby shower, pre-print bingo cards with numbers 1 through 35 and randomly place them on 35 cards. When the Mommy-to-Be’s decides to open the presents, she grabs the present she wants to open and reads the number out loud. As soon as someone receives bingo, they win the baby shower game and the baby shower prize.
· How’s the Baby: Ask all guests to bring a baby picture of themselves before the baby shower. Have all the pictures in a collage and draw lines for people to fill in who they think the babies are out of the people at the baby shower. If most guests don’t know each other, just have the pictures of the mother, mother-in-law, sisters, and Mommy-to-Be. See how many people guess right. You can make copies of the baby picture collage to see how many can guess right.
· Baby Scrambler: Another fun baby shower game is to choose 25 baby related items and scramble the spelling. For instance, pacifier can be changed to reiifpca. Ask the guests to unscramble the words. The one who gets the most right in five minutes receives a baby shower prize.
· Name that Baby Song: You will need a pad of paper and pen for each guest. Have each guest write down all the songs that have baby in their titles, like baby love, Santa baby, one for my baby and so on. Allow five minutes for this game. This baby shower game can be made more difficult by asking who also wrote the songs.
· Dirty Diaper Circle: You will need a diaper, chocolate and music player. Although one of our “dirtiest” baby shower games, it is one of the favorites. The host takes a diaper that has been “fixed” with warm chocolate in the right place and have the guests pass it to the person next to them is in a circle. When the host stops the music, whoever is holding the diaper is out of the game.
· Pacifier in the baby’s mouth: You will need a blindfold, a baby picture and a pacifier drawing for each guest. Tape a picture or drawing of a baby on the wall and have the blindfolded women try to tape the pacifier as close to the mouth of the baby as possible. The one who gets the closest ones.
· Blindfold Diapering: You will need a blindfold, baby doll (life size) and diapers. One of the funniest baby shower games. It calls for the guests to be divided into teams of up to five people. Each team has a doll, blindfold and diapers. The object is for each participant to place the blindfold on, take the current diaper off the doll and place the new one on while blindfolded. After the first person completes diapering, they run to the next teammate who places the blindfold on and has to do the same. The first team to finish diapering wins!
· Baby Tic-Tac-Toe: You will need a large erasable board to use for the tic-tac-toe board, writing utensil, and baby facts. Baby shower guests are divided into teams and are ask to answer a question about a baby fact. If they get the answer right, they get to choose a space, like the classic tic-tac-toe game.
The baby shower games are a very important part of your baby shower. You want to do everything you can to ensure the baby shower games are enjoyed by all and are a huge success. Here’s some tips for ensuring your baby shower games are successful:
· Be sure you have writing utensils for everyone
· Wrap games prizes
· Make sure to have extra prizes in case of tie games
Baby Shower Gift Planning and Ideas
Baby shower gifts are a tradition dating back to the early 1900′s where friends and family would throw a “shower” similar to how they would for a bridal shower – to “shower” the woman with gifts before her big day (marriage or having a baby). In the early days, the guests made most of the baby shower gifts. Umbrellas were a popular symbol of the event because the baby shower was traditionally an afternoon event and the guests would use the umbrella to stay out of the sun.
Modern day baby showers are much different and not just for tea. Baby shower gifts range from practical to outlandish. You should check to see where the Mommy-to-Be is registered for gifts before deciding the type baby shower gift to give. We have assembled some of the more popular baby shower gifts as well as some creative gifts to give the parents-to-be.
· Clothing: Sleepers, receiving blanket, undershirts, diapers. socks and hats. make sure they are easy to change since too many buttons or snaps may be difficult for new parents to take on and off the baby. the Mommy-to-Be will need cute clothes to take the baby home from the hospital
· Health & Grooming Products: Baby powder, lotion, baby wipes, desitin, q-tips, hydrogen peroxide (for the umbilical cord), baby safety pins, nail file, scissors, first aid kit, baby soaps and wash cloths, baby thermometer, diaper bag
· Feeding: Bibs, bottles, bottle holders, baby formula, breast pump, nipples, bottle brush set, tipper cup, feeding spoon, baby burp towels, baby dishes and bathrobe
· In the Bath Products: Towel with cute hood, wash cloths, baby lotion, shampoo, soap, baby brush and bath toys
· In the Crib/Bassinet Items: Crib fitted sheets, comforter, bumper pads, mobile, crib trim, waterproof crib pads and blanket to swaddle the infant
· For the Baby Room: Stuffed animals, cute pictures for the wall, gift certificate for a muralist to come out, dresser, changing table, cute initials of the baby on some type of ceramic item, picture frame, nursery lamp, furniture, boppy, bouncy seats and piggy bank
· Toy Time: Teething toys, colorful play matt, black and white play matt, musical toys and plush / stuffed animals
· Learning Time: Baby Bach Video, Baby Einstein CD’s, classical music CD’s, Disney movies, books for the parents, baby books, lamaze soft books and story books
· For the Parents: Pamper the parents-to-be with a gift certificate to a spa, book store, record store, or a nice gift such as baby hand and foot imprinting plaster, Baby Bjorn or other baby carrier Coupons for babysitting
Here’s some helpful hints for planning your baby shower gifts for the Mommy-to-Be and the Daddy-to-Be:
· More Expensive but Practical Gifts: Stroller, bassinet, baby dresser, baby changing table, baby car seat, baby car seat attachment, high chair, baby swing, bouncy seat, sound monitor, video monitor, potty chair, diaper genie (container), safety gate, baby scale, breast pump, rocking chair.
· Unique Gifts: Grow chart, gift for siblings, gift certificate for baby pictures, U.S. Saving Bonds for the baby, silver spoon or rattle and baby proofing the house
· Baby Shower Coupons: For those that want to give their time for their gift and don’t have much money, it is fun to be creative and make baby shower coupons for the parents such as ” 2- Hour Babysitting”, “Cook for the Mommy and Daddy two meals”, etc. The parents to be will really appreciate this baby shower coupon gift book, especially for first time parents who appreciate the help
· Gift of Saving a Life: A thoughtful baby shower gift is a gift certificate for a private CPR class for the mommy and daddy to be and a few of their selected family and friends who may become future babysitters
· Diapers, Diapers and More Diapers: A great gift that seems to always running out for the Mommy-to-Be is to have everyone bring a few packages of diapers. New mommies never have enough in the house so getting diapers is a perfect baby shower gift
· Useful Laundry Basket Idea: Instead of spending the money on a gift bag that is likely to get thrown away, use laundry basket, line it with a baby blanket and put the gift inside and cover with tissue paper or another blanket. Then the basket can be used for the extra laundry that will be added or for toy storage
· Floating Ducky: Take a silver mini washtub and fill it with water and float a rubber duck in each one. Tie balloons to one of the handles. It’s simple, but sweet. You can also place various baby shower related items next to the washtub, like shampoo, lotion and such
· Laundry Basket Goods: Purchase a laundry basket, baby laundry detergent, you’re favorite prewash, stain remover, wipes to go, and some fabric softener and place in the basket. You can arrange all these small items with tissue paper in the laundry basket, which will serve as you’re gift basket
· Baby Shower Baby Books: Have each baby shower guest bring a baby book for the new parents. Have each guest pre-write a sentiment or advice to the new parent’s on the first page of each book which is a great memento to cherish for the baby growing up and the parents
· Baby Plant / Tree: Buy a small tree that can be planted outside of the parents-to-be home. Tie baby items to the branches. The parent’s to be can watch the tree and the baby grow at the same time. You can do the same thing with a small indoor plant
· Fleece Baby Blanket: A fleece baby blanket is made by taking two pieces of fleece and putting them together, then cutting 3 in slits every 1 inch all the way around the blanket and tie knots to keep the pieces together. Then just roll the blanket up and tie it with a ribbon
· Keepsake Box: Use a hatbox and add personal touches to the box by filling it in with onsies, clothes, pacifiers, bottles, wipes, diapers, etc. You can also include a pack of alphabet stickers so I could put the baby’s name and birth date, weight and height on the box with the stickers once he/she is born
Today, if the Mommy-to-Be intends on registering, she should do so about a month before the babyshower. This allows the host to send the registration information along with the baby shower invitations.
Baby Shower Invitations Announcements Cards Trends
Ordinary baby shower cards just aren’t good enough for your baby shower! Being ordinary just won’t work for your baby shower! At Cards Personalized, we design our own brand of invitations announcements cards so we know what is “hot†and what is not! As the exclusive supplier of our baby shower invitations announcements cards, we are continuously adding and removing baby shower invitations announcements cards based on our customers’ needs, preferences and request. This extensive experience assures you that our baby shower invitations announcements cards are always “fresh†and popular with today’s new Mommy-to-Be. We simply won’t keep stale and unpopular baby shower invitations announcements cards in our inventory on our website!
When you buy our baby shower invitations announcements cards, you are assured that you are among the first to send the latest and hottest designs – the trendsetters for baby shower invitations announcements cards! Colors are the thing, whether it is in the card designs or the ink colors. Vibrant colors like apple green, tangerine orange and yellow either as the primary color or a nice accent are the preferences for most shopping moms. Another hot color is the chocolate brown which seems to be a true sign of something contemporary. And, of course, pink and blue remain very popular for baby shower invitations announcements cards.
Popular baby shower color combinations for girls are pink and chocolate brown; apple green, pink and bright tangerine orange; magenta and pale yellow; and lavender and pale yellow. These are just a few of the combinations that are “hot†sellers. For boys, apple green and baby blue; pale yellow and navy blue; hunter green, navy blue and red; and baby blue and lime green are the popular colors.
Today’s popular designs of baby shower invitations announcements cards feature traditional patterns with a twist. Although gingham, toile, plaid and dots remain quite popular, artists are recreating this look by mixing two different patterns on one card, adding an unexpected splash of color to the design or featuring the design on an embellishment. This results in a great mix of the old and new.
The wordings and sayings for your baby shower invitations announcements cards are very important. You want to say it all, but with few words. Parents are choosing to use very simple, classic language to for wording of their baby shower invitations announcements cards. Fluffy, cutesy wording are being used less now. The short, direct message, like “we welcome with love” or “we joyfully announce that†have become the most popular to use.
Baby Shower Invitations Announcements Cards Styles
The most common and favored baby shower invitations announcements cards size is a flat card stock. Most our baby shower invitations announcements cards are printed on a 5 x 7, either landscaped or potrait layout, and require no assembly. Our baby shower thank you cards are 4.25 x 5.5 folded, with the words, “thank you†or a name on the front. We offer printing on the inside of the baby shower thank you cards for a small additional cost. We use only Avon Crest, Brillant White 80lb card stock, which is the best quality of cards stock available. We do have 5 x 7 Fold cards available on a few of our cards. A photo or picture can be added to any of our baby shower invitations announcements cards, flat, folded or thank you cards.
After the baby shower and when the new addition does arrive, you will want to sent personalized birth announcements cards. By far, our fastest growing type birth announcements is the photo birth announcements. These photo birth announcements include photos with the baby’s details and the photo printed on the birth announcement cards. When choosing the photo birth announcements style, we encourage you to be mindful of your camera settings and use a digital picture of at least 1 MB. A photo may be inserted in any card on our website.
Baby Shower Invitations Announcements Cards Ideas
At Cards Shoppe, we design, manufacture, print and ship all our baby shower invitations announcements cards. Additionally, our advanced technological features allow you to personalize your baby shower invitations announcements cards online and then instantly preview them BEFORE you buy! Most baby shower invitations announcements cards reflect the theme of the baby shower being given for the Mommy-to-Be. Although it is constantly being updated, we have listed a few of the current popular baby shower invitations announcements cards ideas which might be helpful to you in making your selection:
· Baby Bassinet Shower Invitations Announcements Cards: Baby bassinet with a baby inside decorates this baby shower invitation baby boys or a girls. For twins use two bassinets or for triplets we will add three bassinets
· Baby Bib Shower Invitations Announcements Cards: Baby shower invitations announcements cards with a bib shown
· Baby Blocks Shower Invitations Announcements Cards: Baby shower invitations with ABC and 123 blocks for both baby boys and girls
· Baby Bottle Shower Invitations Announcements Cards: Baby shower announcements shaped like a baby bottle
· Baby Carriage Shower Invitations: Baby shower invitations with baby carriages can be used for a baby boy or a girl, twins or three carriages for triplets
· Baby Shower “baby” Invitations Announcements Cards: Baby shower cards with actual photos or pictures of babies or clip art pictures of babies. If you know the sex of the baby, make it a baby boy or baby girl on the baby shower invitations
· Stork Baby Shower Invitations Announcements Cards: These are always a favorite! Baby shower invitations with a stork. We have several cute baby shower cards that have a picture of a stork delivering a baby or with cute wording ideas
· Baby Items Shower Invitations Announcements Cards: Baby shower cards with multiple baby items (bib, burp cloth, diapers, basket with towels, etc.) to signify the baby shower is coming. These are available in “blue” or “pink” to signify the sex of the baby
· Cute Animals Baby Shower Invitations Announcements Cards: Baby shower announcements with a furry teddy bear or butterflies are always nice
· Baby Shoes Shower Invitations Announcements Cards: Baby shower cards with baby shoes are one of the best selling baby shower cards, since they are so small and signify a new baby is on the way or already here
We invite you to view all our Adoption Baby Shower Invitations Baby Shower Announcements Baby Shower Cards Baby Shower Invitations Couples Baby Shower Invitations Baby Shower Thank You Cards and Multiples, Triplets & Twins Baby Shower Invitations at Cards Shoppe.