Nappy Rapz has put together a list of Tips & Hints to help you plan the perfect Baby Shower
1. Plan
2. Prepare
3. Party time
1. Plan
Choosing the;Date, Time & VenueInvitationsThemeFood MenuGifts
So, who should throw the Baby Shower?
Anyone except the expecting parents. It doesn’t matter if you are a Sister, Mother, Boss, Co-worker or Friend, you can certainly plan a baby shower. It doesn’t have to be done completely on your own…why not try and involve your friends/family in the planning.
When should you throw the Baby Shower?
Anytime before the baby is due! Preferably in the last trimester (7th month of pregnancy) onwards, but leave at least 3wks before her due date incase the baby arrives early. And keep in mind; if mum to be is having multiple babies they usually deliver a lot earlier, so you will need to plan the Baby shower earlier in the pregnancy.
When & How To Schedule the Baby Shower?
Firstly, check with the expecting parents to ensure they are free, and which time suits them best. They may also know if important family or friends will be around for the date in mind.
Of course it depends on what best suits the Mum to be, but a good option is an afternoon shower on the weekend, possibly from around 2pm. Foods served from this time are generally light snacks, tea/coffee, and cake and therefore takes your extra expense of catering and cooking. If you are looking to have a Picnic in the Park and you have planned it well in advance you may even be able to ask each guest to bring a plate of food.
Where should you hold the baby shower?
Well, the choices are endless. You could hold it at your house, a friend or family member’s house. Or, if it is a work baby shower, why not spruce up the office or conference room. You could reserve tables at mum to be’s favourite restaurant, or if weather permits, a picnic at a park (just make sure there is a comfy chair & a nearby toilet for the expecting mum). If you want it big, why not rent a hall, or if it is something small between a few friends, you could have it at a day spa, complete with high tea or lunch. A lot of local cafes and hotels now offer high tea with the best in fine china.
TIP: make sure you check with the mum to be what she would like to do. You don’t want to plan a shower at a bowling alley if she prefers a high tea.
Who gets invited?
This is definitely a task you need to prepare with the expecting mum. Find out who she wants there and who she doesn’t. It is her special day after all. Remember to ask for friends she would like invited from work or antenatal classes.
Or, why not try a mixed Baby Shower, and invite the Dad’s?
We have put together a Baby Shower Guest List to help you keep track of your guest and rsvp’s. Click to ask for your free pdf copy now
Sending invitations?
Sending invitations well in advance is a must. But first you need to think about a few things before creating the invitations:
Do you want this baby shower to have a theme?
Does the expecting parents know the sex of their baby, and if so do they want everyone to know?
Does Mum to be have a gift registry at a baby store? Because if she has it is very important to include these details on the invite
What is your budget? Very important not to blow your budget on invitations without, decorations, food etc
Be sure to give everyone plenty of notice to keep the date free and to purchase a baby shower gift. 4 -6 weeks in advance is preferable, remembering also that you need to specify an rsvp.
The Invitation is a Keepsake so it must mirror the colours and theme chosen (if any)
Let’s Start with a Theme????
The list is endless, only limited to your imagination. The theme needs to be carried out throughout the invitations, decorations, and baby shower cake (if you are having one). Nappy Cakes are a great Centerpiece. They not only look great but the Mum to be will certainly appreciate the Nappies. If you are after Favors make sure you see our Cupcake section. Remember to keep in mind your budget when at this stage of planning because it is very easy to overspend! Try to choose a theme that would be easy to find the elements to making the theme. We have put together a few that may help you along the way.
A to Z Theme –Use either wooden, paper or foam alphabet letters to embellish the invitations. You could either use the A, B, C letters or the entire 26 letters. Keep the Alphabet theme going with the decorations, table seating, and even food. Example, have cookies cut out in a letter or letters of your choice. Play Games relating to this Theme. For example, Baby Names with the Alphabet and see who chooses the same as the mum to be, or give them to the mum to be to help with the naming of the baby.
Baby Clothing Theme –This could either be done if you know the sex of the baby or you could make it a mixture of boy/girl clothes. Decorate the room with clothes lines with baby clothes, or if that is out of your budget why not cut out baby clothes from magazines. If you don’t have children you may know someone who may be able to lend you some of their baby’s clothes to play games with. For example, Play “Laundry Day”: Prepare a basket of baby clothes and clothes pegs. Give your guest a baby doll and a cordless phone. The guest who can hang the most clothing in two minutes - without dropping the baby or the phone - wins the prize! Have guests decorate plain white bodysuits and let the Mum-to-Be choose her favorite designer – who gets a prize!
Baby Safety Shower – You could create the shower around safety tips. This is great for not only the mum to be but other mums at the shower, and even grandmothers attending the shower. You could get each guest to give mum ideas on how to child proof their house.
Colour Theme – All Pink, Blue or Green, or a favourite colour of the mum to be. Carry out this theme right through to the invitations, decorations, table settings, food, cake, and this also helps the guests buy the gifts in a particular colour.
Christmas - If the Baby is to be born around Christmas or you are having the Baby Shower around Christmas
Educational Showers - Make it all about books, dvd’s, where everything is about educating the new little baby
Zodiac Party – Everything relating to the star sign of when the baby is due…This could be difficult if the baby is due between star sign dates
For a Mother that has everything – why not ask your guests to donate their gifts to a charity or local children’s hospital
Nursery Rhymes – arrange toys that relate to your nursery rhyme. For example, boats (row row row your boat)
Animal Themes
Teddy Bear Theme
Pregnant Belly Theme
Tupperware/Baby/Jewellery Party
Choose some simple games like a nappy changing competition, guess the number of jelly beans in the baby's bottle, or design a trivia game like matching famous celebrities with a list of their children's names. Use the internet to research fun and easy games.
Have a guest book that you can pass around for each guest to write a little something to the expecting mum. This will be something she can cherish for many years to come.
Menu Planning
Food Planning needs a lot of thought and sometimes…taste testing! Here are a few ideas to help you along the way.
Drinks: Punch, Ice Tea, Smoothies,
Cold Appetizers: Assorted Sandwiches, Mediterranean Platter, Antipasto Platter, Tapenade with Pita Crisps, Blue Cheese Platter,
Hot Appetizers: Gourmet Pizza Squares, Mini Quiches, Cheese Puffs, Chicken Meatballs, Baby Lamb & Meat Pies, Beef Skewers with Wasabi Mayo,
Salsas, Dips: Avocado Salsa Dip, Beetroot Dip, Mediterranean Dipping Plate, Black Bean Salsa
Desserts, Sweets: Cheesecakes, Scones, Cup Cakes, Fruit Skewers, Choc-dipped Strawberries, Fondue, Lemon Meringue, Mousse, Almond & Pear Tartlets, Apple & Custard Creams........it could go on & on!!
Gift Ideas:
New Parents certainly need nappies. Newborn Babies can go through up to 10 (or more!!!) nappies per day. So, try to give them a practical gift and personalise it with something you think they would treasure.
Of Course, Nappy Rapz a large range of Nappy Cakes & Gifts. But why not try & personalise your gift with Nappy Rapz Build Your Own Gift. Visit our Gallery for ideas. Whilst you are Building your Unique Gift remember to add something in for the Mum to Be!
2. Prepare
If you are having the Baby Shower at a venue other then your house or a family/friends house, be sure to check what time you can start to set up the venue or restaurant. Do this well in advance so you are not rushing around and doing the finishing touches as the guest arrive.
If you are having the Shower at a house, this will give you plenty of time to decorate. Remember the guests will only be in the areas you are having the party. So, don’t worry if you didn’t have time to make your bed or the laundry is a mess. Simply close the door and put a please don’t enter sign. Concentrate on the areas that will be used by the guests.
Try to have a cd player or radio nearby. Having music playing in the background can really set the moment.
3. Party Time
Try and stay calm and remember this day is about celebrating the mum to be and the new baby to be. Keep everything organized and set yourself a plan of the day. Remember though, guests arrive late, games go longer then planned….so keep your mind open for change.
And please remember to get someone to bring the mum to be. You don’t want her having to drive herself to her party.
To help the mum to be remember who gave her what, print out our Baby Shower Gift List and ensure you complete it whilst she is opening presents…or delegate this task to a friend. Select Gift list now for your free pdf copy.
And don’t forget to hand around the Guest Book. You want to make sure everyone gets the chance to write in it.
Most of all……….Have fun…………