7 Things To Consider When Planning A Baby Shower
Every new child is a gift, and their arrival needs to be celebrated. A baby shower is an ideal opportunity to do so. However, when planning a baby shower, you also need to keep the baby’s parents in mind. Think about their preferences and the things they like. Then, you will be able to make the baby shower truly special and unforgettable. Take into account the well-being of the mommy-to-be as she might get tired quickly or have special diet needs. Plan out the event into the last detail so you do not need to stress yourself or the future parents about accidents or complications. Here are things you need to consider when planning a baby shower.
Pick The Right Time For The Celebration
When you are planning the baby shower, you need to think about when would be the best time to organize the celebration. Such events are mostly held anywhere between the end of the second and half of the third trimester. Companies such as Greenvelope and their blog Stationers can give you more inspiration and help you to determine when to have a baby shower in your case. However, keep in mind that no matter how excited you are to plan the celebration, you need to respect any wishes of the baby’s parents. You should also take into consideration how busy the closest friends and family members will be around the date you want to pick. After all, it is important that everyone has a chance to celebrate a new addition to the group.
Ask Others To Help You Out
Even though you offered to organize the baby shower, it does not mean that you need to do everything alone. Organizing such a party can be stressful, and you will need to deal with many things and people. To make the whole process easier, ask others to help you out. Any close friends and family members of the couple will be willing to take part in the planning. Some can help you with decorations. Or, if someone has contacts within the event planning industry, they can get in touch with some companies and suppliers to get you better deals for anything you need. And if you do not want to hire a catering company, you can always make some food yourself and ask other guests to bring some finger food or desserts, too.
Pick The Right Theme To Tie The Party Together
Once you pick a theme for the baby shower, planning everything else will become much easier. Suddenly, you will know what kind of a décor you need or what food you might want to serve. When you are choosing the right theme, there are many ways how you can approach it. You can pick a theme depending on the gender of the baby. And if parents do not know the sex of the baby just yet, you can go for a theme that is more gender neutral. You can also get inspired by any season or holiday in which the baby shower takes place. Once you have some options, do not forget to consult the parents of the baby. Then, when you are all happy, you can continue with your plans and see what you come up with.
Send Out Invitations
Once you and the parents-to-be agree on the date and theme of the baby shower, it is time to send out the invitations. As the guests start to RSVP, you will know who will or will not be able to attend. Then, you will know how much food and drinks you need to prepare for the event. The attendance confirmation will also allow you to find out how many seats you will need to have at the venue. Do not forget to keep the mommy-to-be informed about who is going to attend the baby shower. If anyone excuses themselves in advance, she will be prepared and avoid disappointment in the future.
Go For An Easy Menu
You do not need to get overboard with food and other refreshments when it comes to a baby shower. There is no reason to spend hours in the kitchen and get stressed, especially if you are preparing the food yourself. Opt for simple finger food and desserts that will keep your guests busy and full. The baby shower will not, most likely, take too much time either, so no one would expect to have a full lunch. When you are preparing refreshments, you should also keep in mind the dietary needs of the mommy-to-be. On the website of John Hopkins Medical, you can find a list of foods that are beneficial or not so ideal during pregnancy. Keep the menu light and prepare enough food for all of those who confirmed their attendance.
Think Of The Needs The Mommy-To-Be Has
Every pregnancy is different, and each mommy-to-be has a unique experience. So, you need to keep in mind that the expecting mommy can have her specific set of needs. There might be meals that do not make her feel well or certain things she might find upsetting. You should also take into account that she might get tired more quickly. Hence you need to make sure that the event does not drag for too long. By consulting the couple in advance and considering any needs your pregnant friend or family member might have, you will be able to make them enjoy the entire event. Asking for advice or enquiring about the couple’s wishes will simplify the planning process, and you will avoid any unpleasant situations that could ruin the celebration.
Keep Track Of The Gifts
Besides celebrating the arrival of the new addition to the family, baby showers are also a great opportunity to give future parents anything they might need during the new adventure. However, if you have more guests coming over, the number of gifts can get confusing. So, you should create a designated area where the guests can bring any presents they bring to the expecting couple. Tell everyone in advance if they should bring their gifts wrapped or not, depending on if you are going down the more traditional or display route. You should also make everyone fill in a guest book where they will write what they brought for the baby. Then, the mommy-to-be will know what to write in thank you notes without any confusion.
