Expectant parents everywhere welcome their new child with a baby shower. This pre-birthday party for the baby welcomes the child to the family, whether the mother carries the child herself, the parents adopt, or they’ve hired one of thousands of surrogates. How do you effectively plan a fabulous baby shower though? Start planning when the expectant mother reaches her fifth or sixth month of pregnancy, but hold the shower one to two months before the delivery date.
Planning Carefully
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Small or large, your loved one’s baby shower will go down in their child’s history, and when they get older, they’ll probably get a kick out of seeing photos and videos of the excitement around their impending arrival. In the first planning phase, decide the following:
- Who will help you plan the event
- The date and time
- The budget
- The theme
- The guest list
Knowing these basics sets you up for all future decisions, starting with where to hold the big event.
Choosing a Venue
The number of guests influences where to hold the baby shower. Keep the guest list to a reasonable length so you can host it at one of the 749,404 restaurants throughout the United States. Many restaurants cater such events and have a designated space for added privacy.
Planning for Long-Distance Attendees
It’s unlikely that every person you invite to the baby shower can attend in person. You can still include them through the wonderful technology of the 21st century – video conferencing. Simply set up Zoom on your laptop or smart TV, and host an online shower while the in-person one goes on.
Preparing for Various Gifts
Expecting parents sometimes underestimate how many items they’ll need for their new child. Their registries consist of adorable baby blankets, a crib or pram, a stroller, and more onesies than the typical dresser can hold. Other necessary items include:
- Diapers of all sizes
- Feeding bottles and liners
- Nursery monitors and extra batteries
- Portable or mini washing machine
Have a space ready in your venue space to hold all these gifts so they can go hold with the mother-to-be!
Inviting Guests
Choose beautiful invitations and send them out six to eight weeks before the shower. Be sure to provide an online method to RSVP. Include in the invitation text a link to the baby shower registry, the address where to send gifts, and a link to the online video meeting room for those attending from afar.
Decorating for the Shower
Decorate the day of the shower, but plan the decor far in advance. Depending on the size of the baby shower, you might need table and chair rentals, an essential item when planning large parties. Consult a local catering or party planning business for chair and table rentals for small- and large-scale events, such as baby showers, birthday parties, and weddings.
Purchase your themed decor a few weeks before the event. Party supply and hobbyist stores can provide a variety of decorative themes, ranging from Western to nautical themes. Try to link the decor theme with the entertainment, including party games.
When the day arrives, enjoy the baby shower you’ve planned for your loved one. Happy planning!