Baby Shower

A baby shower is a party in which expectant parents receive gifts or money for their expected child. By convention, a baby shower is intended to help parents get things that they need for their baby (such as basic layette items), especially items they may not be able to afford. It is a fairly recent tradition in the United States and in other cultures influenced by American culture or media.

Traditionally, a baby shower is held only for the mother-to-be, and only women attend. However, many people choose to have baby showers for both parents, and some people have a men-only shower. It is not uncommon for a parent to have more than one baby shower, such as one with friends and another with co-workers. A baby shower is generally arranged by a close friend or relative of the parents-to-be. Traditionally, it was considered improper for a family member to host because the event centers on gift-giving.

Baby showers have become more common in the past few decades, as families have become smaller and each child gets more individual attention. Though they are traditionally only held for the first child, they can also be arranged for subsequent children and for children who have been adopted. It is common for the host to provide baby-themed games during the shower. In some regions, shower favors (small gifts for the guests) are common.

Not all Americans hold baby showers. For example, in Jewish tradition, nothing may be bought for the baby before it is born. But many American Jews today do not subscribe to that tradition. Many Italian-Americans also do not hold baby showers.

Baby Shower Checklist-Hostess

Using baby shower checklist-hostess are the best way to stay organized if you are planning a baby shower.
Invited guests will want to help in any way that they can.
Your goal is to host the perfect baby shower and this many times means delegating the tasks that need to be done. By using the following baby shower checklist-hostess you’ll be able to organize the perfect baby shower.
Use the free baby shower checklists to help with your organizing. Baby Shower Checklist-Hostess One Month Set a date for the baby shower. Make guest list. Choose location for hosting the shower.

What to Do if the Baby Shower Guests Don't Know Each Other

A baby shower is a simple celebration of family and friends to celebrate the upcoming birth of a new baby.
Traditionally baby shower guests consisted mostly of close friends and family members.
But these days anyone can be invited as a baby shower guests, such as co-workers, friends, friends of friend, relatives and church groups etc.
Handwritten or computer generated name tags or slips can be made and attached to everyone with the help of straight/safety pins.
With a few well chosen baby shower games, you can help your guests have fun.

Dozens of Baby Shower Themes

Choosing baby shower themes is the first step in planning a baby shower.

Or, you may choose not to have a theme at all.

However, having a theme for your baby shower should make the party entertaining, fun, and a memorable experience.Before picking a shower theme, decide on what your baby shower guests would find enjoyable.

Not only can Gift Baskets provide the theme for the baby shower, they can double as a centerpiece for your table decorations.

With so many themed gift baskets available, you will be able to use a gift basket for almost any baby shower theme.More Examples of Baby Shower Themes: Baby Diaper Cake shower theme Teddy Bear shower theme Gift Basket shower theme Stork shower theme Harvest Moon shower theme…

Baby Shower Gift for Dads

It would be nice to invite dad to the shower.

If it is a ladies only shower, you could still get the proud Dad-to-be a gift.

Some of them you probably still have, like a figurine, or something more elaborate. So the future Dad would feel just as good about getting the perfect gift for dads, especially if he wasn’t expecting to get a gift.

A magazine subscription about one of the sports he likes. A new watch to change his look or just to replace his old worn looking watch.

Then add a billfold to make it complete. Does he collect memorabilia?

Free Baby Shower Invitations

The best baby shower invitations are also free!

There are some great Internet sites that offer all kinds of free baby shower invitations. Don’t forget to send out the baby shower invitations early enough to let everyone know to plan ahead and save the date for the special event, typically four to six weeks in advance.

Save your money for the fun stuff! Here are some examples of what your free baby shower invitations should say: Invitation #1 Let’s have some fun Welcoming the little one! Melissa Ann Peters Date: Time: Place: Location: RSVP: Registered at: Invitation #2:You’re invited to a special place To meet the newborn face to face Judith Margaret Fleming Date: Time: Location: RSVP: Registered at: While you’re searching for the perfect free baby shower invitations for your celebration, you may want to consider creating matching birth announcements, thank you notes, and personalized stationery as well.

Make Your Baby Shower a Success with the Perfect Table Setting Decorating Idea

Thirdly, by the tastes of the guest of honor and the guests you have invited. Listed below are the items you will need for a successful table setting.

Keep in mind that your own decorating idea/s will have a bearing on the table arrangement.

They are to be used as hints to help you plan a successful baby shower.

For an informal party use paper tablecloths, or sheets with a design that fits the theme. Napkins: Napkins can be personalized with the names of the guests written on them.

Baby bibs personalized or not, with different designs fitting the theme of the shower. Napkin Rings: Use regular napkin rings, or you could be creative.

Etiquette for Baby Shower

Etiquette for baby shower used to be quite rigid, but rules have relaxed in the past several years.
It used to be that etiquette for baby shower said that mothers of the new parents should not plan a baby shower.
Some people may have viewed this as a gift grab by the family.
If you are related to a new mom, go ahead and plan her baby shower to your heart’s content.
People still enjoy receiving baby shower invitations in the mail, but you can phone guests or email them as well.
Most people will feel insulted that they are expected to bring a nice gift and now make some food as well.

Honor Grandma with a Baby Shower for Grandma

Throwing a baby shower for grandmother could be a great way to celebrate the middling excitement of becoming a grandma for the first time.
This basically means diapers, bottles, security devices, barriers, and more would be excellent gifts for a grandma baby shower.
And a lot of times, grandmothers go overboard buying gifts for the adorable baby without setting aside any cash to properly equip themselves.
Grandma baby showers are a great idea for co-workers or friends to throw.
Grandma may not need all of exactly the same things that the devoted parents do, but they do require to have equipment on hand for when the baby comes to formally visit.

Baby Shower Party Decorations to Liven up Your Baby Shower

An excellent source of information providing the perfect baby shower party decorations and baby shower themes.
Balloons, cakes, table settings, along with wall and ceiling decorations.
Fill a basket or small wagon with stuffed animals to be used as a baby shower centerpiece.
Then fill the cars with small baby items such as teething rings, pacifiers, rattles, and booties.
Although the baby shower theme as well as baby shower party decorations of modern baby showers have changed with the times, it is still traditional to the use the colors of the baby’s nursery.
One of these would be a baby diaper cake which has become very popular.

Here's What to Expect at a Baby Shower

Commonly, baby showers are given only to new mothers or mothers who have not had a child in a long while.
Baby showers are a tradition, but what happens at a baby shower is less formal for sure.
Sometimes, friends and family members will hold a baby shower for a new Mom as a surprise.
Baby shower games can make a boring party a lot of fun.
Most of these can even be free baby shower games by using items from around your home.
For example, you can take a roll of toilet paper with you to the party.
Take a trip to the craft store and look around at all the baby shower decorations, games, and favors they have to offer.

Other terms

"Daddy's shower" refers to a men-only shower for the dad-to-be.

"Grandma's shower" refers to a shower at which people bring items for the grandparents to keep at their house, such as a collapsible crib and a changing pad.

A "diaper shower" or a "baby sprinkle" refers to a small-scale baby shower, generally for subsequent children, when the parents don't need as many items.

Learn More About: Baby Showers