Traditionally, someone close to the mother-to-be (family, friends).
Choose a date and time.
Consult with the guest of honor to choose a date and time for her shower. Most baby showers take place when the mother-to-be is about seven months pregnant—she's well into her pregnancy, but likely still quite comfortable. This time frame will also give her time to organize gifts after the shower and decide what else she needs to buy before the baby arrives.
Determine the guest list and budget.
Once the parents-to-be have given you the complete guest list (make sure it also includes email addresses or addresses of the people involved), determine your budget. This will help you choose the venue and catering services. If you have $500 and 10 people, you can probably splurge on the venue and food. On the other hand, if you have $500 and 50 people, you may need to cut back.
Choose a location.
Consider the number of guests, budget, weather and season.
- A party at home or in a garden is friendly and economical.
- A restaurant or hotel may be suitable if you prefer everything to be taken care of (catering, set-up, cleaning).
- A park or beach is ideal for summer, but remember to ask for permission if necessary and have a plan B in case of rain .
Send out the invitations.
Guests should receive their invitation approximately six weeks before the event. This gives them time to plan, purchase gifts, book a babysitter, etc.
- An email invitation is suitable for a casual party.
- A paper invitation will be more appropriate for a formal baby shower.
Plan the menu and decoration.
Three weeks before the party, start preparing:
- Decoration (garlands, balloons, posters, etc.)
-
The menu according to the preferences of the future mother.
Choose small portions that are easy to serve and eat. Buy perishable items like flowers or pastries the day before.
For a special touch, you can use a folding table with cotton gauze tablecloths or even pretty personalized jars for decoration .
Make a schedule.
Prepare a simple, fluid and fun program:
- Welcome guests with a drink
- Games or creative activities (for example, a guestbook with photos and little notes )
- Opening gifts during the meal
- Dessert, coffee, exchange between guests
Allow a maximum of 2 to 3 hours to avoid tiring the mother-to-be.
Choose baby shower gifts.
A welcome gift is a simple way to thank your guests for their presence, and it doesn't have to be extravagant. For example, offer iTunes gift cards for a music theme, and bags of homemade candy or chocolates for a sugar and spice theme.
When thinking about baby shower gifts, you should also consider your guests. Other moms will appreciate magnetic frames. Scented soaps, candles, or bubble baths are also popular.
To make sure you're on the right track, keep this baby shower planning checklist handy.
