Baby showers are parties thrown for friends that are pregnant. This practice has significantly changed over the course of the years and has gradually become more and more elaborate and planned.
Baby showers can make the mother-to-be feel more secure knowing that her friends are all pulling for her and giving moral and in some cases much needed financial support. Usually the baby shower is arranged by non-relatives. But nowadays, it isn’t unusual to find family members, support group members, church friends and pretty much anyone except the mother-to-be.
Deciding On The Baby Shower Guest List Inviting the guests? Mostly, the shower guest list will include those people that are nearest and dearest to the expectant mother. If the baby shower isn’t to be a surprise party for the expectant mother then it really wouldn’t hurt to let her have a look so that you can maybe include people you had not thought of. But if it is to be a surprise baby shower party you will need to be more secretive and ask around using family and very close friends for suggestions for the guest list.
Traditionally baby showers for the second born child, are a much smaller gathering where the amount of guests is usually kept down to the closest family and friends to the mother-to-be. Firstborn baby showers however are a little different and they tend to have a larger guest list since it is, after all, the mother-to-be’s first child.
What you need to remember about the baby shower is that the goal is intimacy. So when planning the baby shower try to include those that are close friends and family.
You could use informal ways to invite these guests: email, phone and others. Invitation cards and other letters are the best way, however, as they provide a tangible, traceable evidence of invitation. Plus, it is the most sure and formal way to invite a person – and in many cultures – the only way.
What About the Guys At The Baby Shower The nature of the party is probably going to tend towards the feminine side; if the organizers of the party have a provision for this, then inviting men would be fine. It also depends on the men, since the party may dwell on topics such as pregnancy, children, and other motherly topics, they might not be that excited to join. All in all, it depends on the preference of the organizers.
Choosing The Baby Shower Venue Many baby shower parties are hosted in such places as formal halls, restaurants and even your own backyard. If the truth be told you can actually host a baby shower party anywhere you choose as long as the expectant mother is comfortable and there are amenities for your guests to use. Be warned however that you really need to arrange the location weeks before the shower is scheduled to start to ensure that you will not have crowds using the the same venue which could possible spoil the day for all attending.
When To Hold The Baby Shower Party It is not advisable to host the baby shower to late in the pregnancy as this is a time where the mother needs to be focused and rested for the pending birth. The best time to hold the baby shower is usually between two or three months before the birth. This allows the mother-to-be to have a very pleasant distraction and to see how much support there is for the new arrival. This also gives the guest the opportunity to purchase gifts for the baby that the mother has not had a time to buy herself.
Baby showers are a pleasant surprise to expecting mothers. It takes a lot of the stress of expecting a child off of their minds and provides a means for friends to show support and concern (and of course, baby gifts) to expecting friends.
With good planning and execution of the baby shower party you will ensure the mother-to-be has a fun and memorable day that she will remember long into the future. As well as helping you to relax and enjoy the day as the baby shower host.
Cathy has been arranging baby showers for many years and with her professional Baby Shower website has helped hundreds to host memorable baby shower parties from all over the world. Have a inquiry about your upcoming baby shower then ask your inquirys here Baby Shower Blog it’s free.