| Do you beam with excitement when you think about | | | | finger foods or as lavish as a hot meal. Keep in mind |
| hosting a baby shower for an expectant friend or | | | | what would work best with the length of time you plan |
| relative but then cringe at the thought of all the party | | | | on having the shower. And of course, don't forget the |
| planning details that are involved? Not everyone feels | | | | baby shower cake! Whether you make a cake |
| they are a natural hostess when it comes to throwing | | | | yourself or order one through a local bakery, every |
| a baby shower party; however, if you put these basic | | | | baby shower wouldn't be complete without a cake. |
| components together, you will not fail and the | | | | 4) Games -- It seems to be a long standing tradition to |
| mom-to-be will be sure to appreciate all your efforts! | | | | play fun and silly games at a baby shower. There are |
| There is no set way to throw a baby shower. With | | | | a multitude of game ideas out there to choose from |
| that in mind, if you account for these key components | | | | and some may fit your theme if your shower is |
| you will, without a doubt, have thrown a successful | | | | centered around one. Keep the number of games |
| baby shower. | | | | limited for time sake and encourage everyone to |
| 1) Location -- This isn't something to sweat about. Ask | | | | participate, even the expectant mom. By the time you |
| yourself what resources you have at your disposal. | | | | are done playing games, everyone will be in such a |
| Do you belong to a local church? Are you a member | | | | great mood, that the last component will help with |
| of any organizations that have banquet rooms | | | | winding down the baby shower before everyone |
| available to rent? Or, just consider hosting the party at | | | | goes home. |
| your house or even the mom-to-be's house. Keep the | | | | 5) Gifts -- Probably the most important component and |
| distance within reason if you're not hosting the shower | | | | main reason people throw a baby shower is to give |
| in the home so the expectant mother doesn't have to | | | | the expectant mom gifts for the baby and even to |
| travel very far. Don't be afraid to ask the expectant | | | | her. Shopping for a unique and creative baby gift to |
| mother how she would feel about having the shower | | | | give at a baby shower can be stressful for some |
| in her home (if it's not a surprise shower, that is). | | | | people. Depending on how many baby showers |
| 2) Decorations -- Most every type of party includes | | | | you've attended before, you may have seen many |
| decorations, whether general and colorful or tailored | | | | people give a lot of similar gifts and you want to get a |
| towards a specific theme. If the parents-to-be have | | | | little more creative. Most moms-to-be will have created |
| chosen not to find out the gender of the baby then | | | | a baby registry at a local store or two so you can |
| your shower decorations will most likely use varied | | | | always check out her wish list and try to put a unique |
| pastels without sticking to mainly pink or blue as with | | | | spin on some of the things she will need or would like |
| known gender showers. Many stores and sites sell | | | | to have for the baby. A great way to do this is with a |
| baby shower decorations so you'll never be at a loss | | | | new baby gift basket that showcases practical and |
| as to how to transform your location into a decorated | | | | fun items that mom and baby can use together. I |
| baby haven; however, every good baby shower | | | | assure you that this type of newborn gift will be a hit |
| deserves a great centerpiece for the main food or gift | | | | at a baby shower. |
| table and a baby diaper cake will make a great | | | | Now that you know what you need to consider, I hope |
| conversation piece and will serve as a gift for the | | | | you enjoy the planning process for hosting a baby |
| expectant mom when the shower is over. | | | | shower and more importantly, the baby shower when |
| 3) Food -- Ah, the food. Again, this is not something to | | | | it occurs. Best of luck and remember, as long as you |
| sweat about. If you're hosting the shower, I can only | | | | combine the components from above, no matter the |
| assume that you know the expectant mom well | | | | cost, time, or effort involved in planning a baby shower, |
| enough to know what some of her likes and dislikes | | | | the reward is seeing how happy your expectant friend |
| are when it comes to food. You can go as simple as | | | | or relative will be knowing how much you care! |