Baby Shower
Baby shower
The birth of a newborn is one of the most significant milestones in a relationship. North Americans have long since celebrated this joyous event by throwing party for the mum to be, and is now taking hold here for mothers, and why not? It’s a good excuse to get family, friends, and even work colleagues together; after all expectant mothers go through a lot and for so long in pregnancy, and then the actual labour itself bringing more pain and stress. Apart from the baby, a baby shower is something for the mother to look forward too and a very deserving cause.
Choice of Invitee
Who is invited is entirely your choice; you can make it just a girly party or just invite couples. Anyone can organise this event, except of course the mum to be. Planning in the trimester should allow you enough planning time. The baby showers could be done as a surprise, but this could mean that some favourite guests may not get and invite.
Where should it be held?
First off, it should not be at the expectant mother's home, as this may add to pile of worries she may have such as cleaning up after the party etc. An option could be to rent a hall which may sound expensive but you could ask invitees to contribute to the costs remembering that that is not the only cost to the complete goal. Your local church hall, a gym hall, banqueting suite, a restaurant or even a conservatory are other places a baby shower can take place.
What do I need for a baby shower?
Here is a list of things that you need for a baby shower:
- Celebration decoration
- Gifts and presents
- Drinks cakes and savour foods, not forgetting the expectant mum2b's favourites
- Disposable cutlery
- Invitation cards (and associated costs: stamps etc)
- Games (board games, and prizes)
- A couple of movie films (some chic-flicks such as: Sleepless in Seattle)
While the list above is not exhaustive, you can use it as a guide and budget against each item. Meeting in advance and saying who does and pays for what can with the burden of costs on one person. Asking each person to bring along foods/drinks will also help ensure there is something (taste wise) for everyone
Like a costume party, baby showers can be and usually is theme based, and the theme you choose from is only limited to your imagination as baby showers do not have a particular etiquette to follow. You do not have to go with a theme, but doing so could help the baby shower party be more of a momentous occasion
Gifts and Presents
Gifts and presents are given to the mother and to the newborn baby. Here are some gift ideas:
For the mum to be:
- Manure/pedicure
- Baby / parenting books / guide
- An empty photo album with a baby theme to it
- Babysitter IOUs
- Nappy changing IOU's
For the newborn:
- Baby clothes (socks, bibs, body suit, cap)
- Nappies (diapers)
- Baby shampoo, lotion and/or other baby toiletries
- Toys (for when s/he is a bit older)
- Baby towels
- MP3 compilations or books with short stories / fairy tales / nursery rhythms
Baby Shower Activities
In my opinion mothers that are present should avoid taking about past experiences of birth unless this is invited from the mum to be, and use this as an occasion to sort of distract her current discomforts etc with some fun activities.
Here are some ideas of baby shower activities:
- Card games (Bridge, Rummy, Poker, Snap etc)
- Board games (Monopoly, Scrabble, Bingo etc)
- Watching family made videos
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