Tips on Planning a Baby Shower
Planning for a baby shower can be quite daunting and challenging. There are a lot of things to consider, especially the ever changing preference of the mother-to-be. Still, it should not stop you from doing a baby shower for your best friend.
It is easier to have a planned baby shower than it is to have a surprised one. This is because you have the freedom of knowing the preferences of your mother-to-be. It can be quite awkward when you have invited a guest that your mother-to-be does not want to see in the shower. Aside from that, food preferences are also important.
Pregnant women often have food cravings on foods previously detested, and can detest previously loved foods. Still, if you can get these important pieces of information accurately from another reliable source secretly, then by all means throw in a surprise baby shower.
See if you have to plan for the baby shower yourself, or have the help of other guests plan other portions of the shower for you. You can assign someone to help plan for the venue, the other for the invitation, another for the food, and somebody for the games, theme and give-away items.
Just remember to have a meeting every now and then to consolidate each other’s progress so you know if each will have to make adjustments.
Choose a perfect date for your baby shower. Ideally, baby showers are held 6 weeks before the delivery date. Other baby showers are done after the baby is delivered. Check when your honored guest would want to have her baby shower.
Some prefer the weekends or during a holiday so everyone can be present. Some do not mind having the baby shower after office hours, but be prepared to have some guests arriving late or not arriving at all due to work requirements.
Think of a perfect menu for your guests and mother-to-be. Your menu will depend on how many people are coming, the time of the event, and if you are planning on having people bring some food home after the shower. Showers held during meal times are expected to have a menu that is substantial and can satisfy guests.
If it is between mealtimes, say a brunch, light meals are just perfect. The location will also determine how the menu is served. If the place does not have enough tables to accommodate everyone, finger foods are just fine. Take the time to note down any food allergy the expectant mother and guests would have. Label food trays there an ingredient that can cause an attack of the hives.
As the host of the shower, you have to plan it carefully as you will be the one to pay for all the expenses. Consider having someone co-host the baby shower to spread the expense, as well as the happiness if you do not have enough resources to cover everything.
Generally, baby showers last for 2 hours and the guests can have their respectful exit. If your baby shower lasts for that long with people leaving with all smiles, consider your baby shower a success.
