Bringing a baby into this world is one of most important and life changing events any parents-to-be can experience. Bringing friends and family together to celebrate this new life is a very special event and we are here to help you with your planning every step of the way!
How To Plan The Perfect Baby Shower
We recommend starting about 2 months before hand, with a solid four to six weeks of planning and making preparations, so lets check out our baby shower planning guide filled with tips and some great ideas!
1. Setting A Baby Shower Date
When choosing a date for your baby shower, take into account when the expectant mom’s due date is. We recommend hosting your baby shower around the third trimester, at least 1 month before the expected due date. Keep in mind that due dates are just estimates and the baby can come any time in the two weeks before the due date, up to two weeks after the due date. You want to give the mommy-to-be plenty of time to organize all those amazing shower gifts and stock up on additional items she needs for the sweet bundle of joy!
2. Themes and Decorations – Let your decorations be the talk of the party!
You’re throwing an amazing baby shower! To help you set the tone it is often easier to first decide on a theme. Themes serve as inspiration for decorations, games, invitations, favors and even the food! Themes can be as simple as a color scheme like blue and white if you know the parents-to-be are having a boy, pink and white for a girl, and neutral colors such as gold and white if they are waiting to be surprised! Themes with cute animals such as elephants are also very popular!For your party to look complete we recommend adding some stylish photo props, cake toppers, Mommy to be sash, and, most importantly, a beautiful banner indicating if it’s a boy, girl or welcoming the baby! Fun right?
3. Send Out Invitations
Once you have decided on a date, it is time to send those invites. The choices are endless!Normally the type of invitations you use is totally up to you. From sending an invite over text, designing yourself using one of the many free tools online, or choosing a more formal invitation, make sure to include the date, location, time and RSVP details. We recommend sending those out at least 4 weeks prior to your event date!
These are some of our favorite online sites for easy DIY invitation design tools creation of electronic such as:
4. Choosing A Baby Shower Location
Once you have a good grasp on the date, budget and number of guests, start looking for venue options. Typically, baby showers have taken place in the hostess home or in the backyard for a more intimate and cozy party when the guest list is manageable. For a larger party you may consider a restaurant, a reception hall, or even a terrace for a catered lunch! Pick a location that reflects the personality of the mother to be and season. Other less traditional choices that are becoming more popular are tea rooms, botanical gardens, farms and even Vineyards. Any of these choices will be sure to impress your guests!
5. Menu And Dessert Display
One of the most important aspects of our baby shower is the food! Serve up a menu that showcases your color scheme, theme, season and some of mom’s favorite dishes.What has become quite popular is displaying a dessert table along with your amazing baby shower decorations. Imagine all the cute photos showcasing both! We recommend a cake, cupcakes, matched candy, colored cookies, fruit platter, pretzels, even some matching cocktails!
6. Gift Registry
Now comes the fun part, choosing those super cute baby gifts! Creating a baby registry is exciting but it can be quite overwhelming. These are so many choices in the market and deciding what to get can be frustrating at times. We recommend adding everything you want and need for your baby but at the same time keep a good range of low to high ticket items to fall into everyone’s budget.
Here are some of our favorites store registries:
To take things one step further check out these sggestions:
7. Picture Time!
Now that you’ve decorated the venue and the food is ready, is time to make sure you document this memorable day! Before the event starts, make sure you have a designated person who is aware and prepared for their duty well in advance regardless if they are simply taking photos and videos with their phone or you are using a photographer. Your baby shower only happens once!
8. Baby Shower Favors
It is a nice gesture to include a small gift to thank your guests for attending your baby shower. Some low budget options that are practical and most people will enjoy are soaps, lotions, candles, cookies or chocolates, you can even make your own favors if you have the time!If you are having baby shower games, it’s recommended to have some winning prizes! Options as hand lotion, coffee shop gift card and candles are great choices.
9. Final Details
It’s almost time for your baby shower so let’s go over some last minute details so nothing is overlooked!-If you are hosting your shower at home, write a list with all the ingredients, beverages, and place setting needs that you might need. -If you decided to host at a venue, call at least a week before and go over all details such as head count, menu, table settings, and that all decorations and favors can be set up in advance.- Make sure all the decorations are purchased and write down any missing items.- Make sure whoever is capturing the event is there on time and knows what kind of photos to take (decorations, guests with Mom-to-be, opening the gifts, etc)- Create a gift tracker so you know who bought which gift to include a note when sending a thank you card.
BABY SHOWER PLANNING LIST TIMELINE
THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE BABY SHOWER:
- Pick a date for your event- Put together a guest list
- Decide on a location or venue. Make sure either option is available and lock in our date- Set a budget (Take into account all items needed: Food, drinks, decorations, favors, prizes for games, and any details you may want to include)
- Choose a baby shower theme and start shopping for decorations! So much fun!
TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE BABY SHOWER:
-Time to create a baby registry! Decide on what gifts to include and what mommy-to-be needs for her little one.
- Decide on what invitations to get. Our theme party sets include printable invitation so that is all set for you. Just print and mail them out! Make sure to include your baby registry so guests can start shopping.
- Choose what games you’ll like to play, our elephant baby shower decorations comes with 2 games so all that’s left to do is decide on winning prizes.
ONE MONTH BEFORE THE BABY SHOWER:
- Confirm your guest list and contact guests who haven’t responded-Plan your menu and what type of beverages to serve. Take into consideration your guests dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, allergies).
- Order your party favors and any other supplies needed to prepare them-If required, reserve rental supplies (chairs, tables, tents, etc)
- Confirm your photographer or have someone assigned to be the photographer for the day
- Order the baby shower cake and other matching theme sweets
- Order all decorations and last minute items to make your party look amazing- If your party is at home make sure to have enough tableware for your guests
- Assign people to help you decorate!
TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE:
- Make any final touches on your menu
- Order the baby shower cake. Follow your theme and color scheme
- Organize a day-of agenda and make sure you have extra hands to help you out
ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE:
- Go over your guest list and make sure is finalized- Make any final touches on your menu and create a shopping list. Go shopping for main items, beverages and missing items
- Call to confirm final details with your vendors such as venue, photographer, party rental, caterer, baker.
- Plan where decorations will go, desert table, place for gifts and favors. Make sure you have all supplies needed. If hosting in a venue confirm that decorations and favors can be set up in advance.
THE DAY BEFORE:
- Do any last-minute shopping
- Prepare all the dishes that can be done ahead of time
- Set up your decorations, tables, place settings, favors and centerpieces
- Set up your games and prizes
PARTY TIME!
- Set up an area for coats and bags
- Designate a space for gifts
- Have cocktails prepared ahead of time and ice bucket filled
- Set up all appetizers and food- Have a comfortable chair for Mom to be
- Make sure camera is charged and enough memory on your card. If you hired a photographer make sure they arrive at least 30 minutes before event to set up
- Choose the music to set the mood and most importantly, have fun!
- For your party to look complete we recommend adding some stylish photo props, cake toppers, Mommy to be sash, and, most importantly, a beautiful banner indicating if it’s a boy, girl or welcoming the baby! Fun right?
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