Coming up with a great (and unique!) baby shower gift idea can seem like a difficult task. Any guest would like to give a gift that can be useful to the baby or the parents. Nobody would like to have his or her gift stashed in a closet or be given away to charity without being used first by the recipient.
Therefore, one has to make sure that he or she has chosen the baby shower gift properly so it will not be wasted. As much as possible, never select a baby shower gift that the parents may already have. Sometimes, the baby shower invitation says what the parents would like to receive.
If it is not on the invitation, you can also call the mum to ask what she would like to receive or what else she would need.
At times when the parents seem to have prepared well for the baby, you can select unique baby shower gifts that would serve as decorative items and remembrance.
Here are some unique baby shower gift suggestions.
* Birth Announcement Plates
These are decorative plates that come in pastel colours and different designs. These can also be personalised with the baby's name. Some companies also offer printing the baby's picture on the plates.
The plates may be used to contain food. However, many chooses to have these plates displayed somewhere in the house.
* Personalised Ornaments
These ornaments are made from ceramic tiles that can be displayed on cabinet or shelves. These can be personalized to contain the baby's name or picture. You may also give a poem to the engraving company so it will be included in the ornament.
* Personalised Baby Blankets
These blankets come in pastel colours with different designs. These can be personalized to include the baby's name. Before deciding to give one, make sure that the parents hadn't bought or will not be receiving several blankets during the baby shower party.
* Pillows
Pillows can also be personalized with the baby's name. These come in several colours and designs.
* Personalised Name Frame
If the baby's name was already chosen, you can choose a personalised name frame. This will contain the baby's name with its meaning, usually the biblical or historic association of the name. It may also have a poem dedicating the gift to the baby or wishing the baby and the parents well.
* Piggy Bank
The parents can start the baby's savings with a personalised piggy bank. The parents may drop coins each day after the baby is born. When the child is older, he or she can continue saving money with this decorative piggy bank.
* Baby Naming Book
If the parents have not decided what name to give to the baby, or if they are not yet sure of the baby's gender, the baby-naming book is a great gift for the baby shower. The book contains name selections from the bible and historical figures. The meanings of the names are also given as well as the variations and origins in different countries and cultures.
* Music CD
Music has been proven to enhance the creativity and eliminate stress. For babies, music can help them have quality sleep and boost their creativity and intelligence. This is a perfect gift for the baby and the parents.
Regardless of the gift that you have chosen, always include a card to express your thoughts and your joys in sharing the celebration with the baby' parents.
Showing posts with label baby shower idea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby shower idea. Show all posts
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Baby Shower Theme: Ideas For Choosing The Right Theme
Choosing a baby shower theme is an important part of the baby shower planning process. A theme will tie the entire shower together and make it more organised.
When you have chosen a theme, you can easily think about what decoration you are going to use for your desired theme. Without a theme, you are likely to pick several items that you feel will look good, combine these, and get an unorganized look.
Selecting and preparing a baby shower theme is not a difficult task. Here are some suggestions to give you an idea on how to create a theme for your baby shower.
Teddy Bears
Since the teddy bear is one of the first toys the child will own, it is nice to have a teddy bear theme. You can use medium-sized teddy bears to design the baby shower party area. It is not necessary to buy the teddy bears; you can borrow these from friends and family members. Also, you can purchase small teddy bears as party favors to give to your guests.
Stars
Stars symbolise dreams. "A star is born," they say. You can decorate the place with stars hanging from thin strings. You can also design the walls and the ceiling with stars and heavenly bodies. The program may also include wishes for the baby on how he or she will be a bright star.
Nappies
This is the basic need of the newborn baby. The baby shower organiser can decorate the area with nappies, especially those with cute colours and designs. You can even prepare a diaper cake by neatly stacking the diapers together.
The organiser can also ask the guests to bring nappies as gifts. A better idea would be to have a raffle for a special prize in which the raffle entry will be a nappy. This will help the guests since they wouldn't have to think on what gift to buy. It also helps the parents a lot, since they will have a supply of nappies for several months.
Books
Baby and kid books are good gifts for the baby. With a collection of baby books, the parents can have a small library for the baby.
The decorations can be anything related to books. You can place books on the table, or design the walls with books. You can even have a book-shaped cake and cookies.
Noah's Ark
This is a good idea if the parents are expecting twins. The guests will be requested to bring a pair of gifts for the babies. Pairs of stuffed animals may be used to decorate the place.
Prince/Princess
Everyone wants the new baby to feel like a prince or a princess. You can adorn the place with fairy tale concepts pertaining to royalty. You can create miniature towers and castles, a garden and shining stuff fit for a royalty.
Fairy
This is a good option if you will be having the baby shower in the garden. You can enhance the garden surroundings to make it look like the home of fairies. You can include vines, arches, bees and butterflies, as well as small fairy-like decorations to create a fairy garden.
Characters
You can choose a storybook or cartoon character as a theme. How about a superhero? There are lots of options, and once you have selected one, you can think about what items the character is associated with that you can use for the party.
With these simple ideas, you can conceptualize a special baby shower theme that will be remembered by the parents and the guests.
When you have chosen a theme, you can easily think about what decoration you are going to use for your desired theme. Without a theme, you are likely to pick several items that you feel will look good, combine these, and get an unorganized look.
Selecting and preparing a baby shower theme is not a difficult task. Here are some suggestions to give you an idea on how to create a theme for your baby shower.
Teddy Bears
Since the teddy bear is one of the first toys the child will own, it is nice to have a teddy bear theme. You can use medium-sized teddy bears to design the baby shower party area. It is not necessary to buy the teddy bears; you can borrow these from friends and family members. Also, you can purchase small teddy bears as party favors to give to your guests.
Stars
Stars symbolise dreams. "A star is born," they say. You can decorate the place with stars hanging from thin strings. You can also design the walls and the ceiling with stars and heavenly bodies. The program may also include wishes for the baby on how he or she will be a bright star.
Nappies
This is the basic need of the newborn baby. The baby shower organiser can decorate the area with nappies, especially those with cute colours and designs. You can even prepare a diaper cake by neatly stacking the diapers together.
The organiser can also ask the guests to bring nappies as gifts. A better idea would be to have a raffle for a special prize in which the raffle entry will be a nappy. This will help the guests since they wouldn't have to think on what gift to buy. It also helps the parents a lot, since they will have a supply of nappies for several months.
Books
Baby and kid books are good gifts for the baby. With a collection of baby books, the parents can have a small library for the baby.
The decorations can be anything related to books. You can place books on the table, or design the walls with books. You can even have a book-shaped cake and cookies.
Noah's Ark
This is a good idea if the parents are expecting twins. The guests will be requested to bring a pair of gifts for the babies. Pairs of stuffed animals may be used to decorate the place.
Prince/Princess
Everyone wants the new baby to feel like a prince or a princess. You can adorn the place with fairy tale concepts pertaining to royalty. You can create miniature towers and castles, a garden and shining stuff fit for a royalty.
Fairy
This is a good option if you will be having the baby shower in the garden. You can enhance the garden surroundings to make it look like the home of fairies. You can include vines, arches, bees and butterflies, as well as small fairy-like decorations to create a fairy garden.
Characters
You can choose a storybook or cartoon character as a theme. How about a superhero? There are lots of options, and once you have selected one, you can think about what items the character is associated with that you can use for the party.
With these simple ideas, you can conceptualize a special baby shower theme that will be remembered by the parents and the guests.
Baby Shower Poems - How to Write Baby Poems Like a Pro
Cute and sentimental baby shower poems are great addition to any baby shower.
You can type these baby poems in the Shower invitations and thank you cards in a variety of different styles, layouts, fonts and lengths. These poems are also unforgettable touch to write on the baby shower cakes, attach to party favours, or print off scrolls for the guests.
Where can you find some very special baby shower poems?
Internet is a good starting point. And you can always find many creative poem ideas from parenting books, magazines, and lyrics. But if you’re not running everything in hurry, then write a baby poem on your own.
You might have questions like this: “Do I need special techniques even a little talent to write great baby poems? Does it take weeks even months to learn the writing skills?”
Hey, I've never been and I'll never be a person who can write poetry like Shakespeare - same as most of you. But you're writing a poem for the baby, don't overcomplicate it!
Even baby poem is "an elevated composition in verse" (The Concise Oxford Dictionary), no worries - just write about what comes to your mind, and unleash your creativities to organize your thoughts and feelings about the arrival little one.
Don't try to be a poet and stay away with those fancy language and obscure words. Simply put any baby items and baby related topics together. Then use the words that can express your expectations and wishes for the little one and the parents-to-be.
Need a bit more tips? Ok, the answers to the questions below will become a wonderful baby shower poem by themselves.
* What is Mum's name?
* What is Dad's name?
* What does a baby like to eat or drink?
* What does a baby like to have for the new life?
* What do you hope the baby to learn from your life experiences?
* What's your baby shower theme?
* Any special gift is highly expected?
* It's a twin or triplet
* It's a boy or girl
List your answers on a paper and discover the things that affect you, use them to write short sentences with a sense of humour.
Another save-time idea is to learn good baby poems from online poem site and re-write them.
Once you find the baby poem that you like, re-write it, keeping the basic meaning of the words the same, but using your own voice. And replace some of its sentences by your own words (like a special wishing or a unique baby gift's name) if you want.
Don't be afraid to experiment. Once you've got a baby shower poem on paper, speak it aloud and find out the best rhyme you like.
Ask for suggestions from the couple's family member and the people who have had children. They can help you to find some great ideas to create a more family-like and baby-like mood in your baby shower poems.
You can type these baby poems in the Shower invitations and thank you cards in a variety of different styles, layouts, fonts and lengths. These poems are also unforgettable touch to write on the baby shower cakes, attach to party favours, or print off scrolls for the guests.
Where can you find some very special baby shower poems?
Internet is a good starting point. And you can always find many creative poem ideas from parenting books, magazines, and lyrics. But if you’re not running everything in hurry, then write a baby poem on your own.
You might have questions like this: “Do I need special techniques even a little talent to write great baby poems? Does it take weeks even months to learn the writing skills?”
Hey, I've never been and I'll never be a person who can write poetry like Shakespeare - same as most of you. But you're writing a poem for the baby, don't overcomplicate it!
Even baby poem is "an elevated composition in verse" (The Concise Oxford Dictionary), no worries - just write about what comes to your mind, and unleash your creativities to organize your thoughts and feelings about the arrival little one.
Don't try to be a poet and stay away with those fancy language and obscure words. Simply put any baby items and baby related topics together. Then use the words that can express your expectations and wishes for the little one and the parents-to-be.
Need a bit more tips? Ok, the answers to the questions below will become a wonderful baby shower poem by themselves.
* What is Mum's name?
* What is Dad's name?
* What does a baby like to eat or drink?
* What does a baby like to have for the new life?
* What do you hope the baby to learn from your life experiences?
* What's your baby shower theme?
* Any special gift is highly expected?
* It's a twin or triplet
* It's a boy or girl
List your answers on a paper and discover the things that affect you, use them to write short sentences with a sense of humour.
Another save-time idea is to learn good baby poems from online poem site and re-write them.
Once you find the baby poem that you like, re-write it, keeping the basic meaning of the words the same, but using your own voice. And replace some of its sentences by your own words (like a special wishing or a unique baby gift's name) if you want.
Don't be afraid to experiment. Once you've got a baby shower poem on paper, speak it aloud and find out the best rhyme you like.
Ask for suggestions from the couple's family member and the people who have had children. They can help you to find some great ideas to create a more family-like and baby-like mood in your baby shower poems.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Baby Shower Planning: Tips, Advice, And Ideas For A Successful Shower
Planning a baby shower is the perfect way of expressing “Congratulations,” or “We’re happy for you,” or “Best wishes” when a newborn has been added to the family.
Aimed at further boosting the future parents’ excitement for the forthcoming member of their family, the baby shower is usually hosted by a close friend or relative, at any time during the last months of the pregnancy.
Just like any other party, a baby shower requires careful planning to ensure that it will go as smoothly as possible, and be memorable for everyone. Although there are no rules cast in stone in preparing for a baby shower, there are some helpful tips to follow to help the host organise every aspect of the event.
1) Decide on the location.
Most baby showers are held at the soon to be parents house, since the expectant mother’s health needs to be considered. It is recommended for small, intimate parties, with only the closest friends and family members. Guests also tend to be more comfortable if the party’s setting is at home.
If the expectant parents love the outdoors, a barbecue party at their garden or a local park may also be an option. Naturally, the weather must be considered – baby shower does not literally mean soaking the guests in the rain.
For fewer complications, the host may reserve a secluded area in a restaurant or bar. It may be more costly, but at least the decoration, food and drinks, as well as the post-party cleanup will already be taken care of.
2) Choose the party’s theme.
For easier decoration ideas, a theme may be decided upon. Consider the expectant parents’ favourite movies or hangouts. Another option is to decorate the party site by re-creating the place where they had their honeymoon, such as a cruise ship, or Paris-inspired café.
Since the party will also be a celebration of the future baby, a childish atmosphere may also be considered. Choose cartoon characters, bright colours, and other designs depending on the baby’s gender.
3) Finalise the menu.
The party’s menu will depend upon the time of the event. In most baby showers, the host serves finger food, pastries and other baked goods for convenience. However, if the event will be held during lunch or dinner time, heavier meals will naturally be served. Alcoholic drinks may also be prepared, depending on the guests’ preference.
4) Design a fun program.
Contrary to what most people believe, a baby shower is not only limited to mingling around, gift giving, eating and drinking. Fun games may also be included, such as charades, or those which will bring back the guests’ childhood memories. Remember that the main point is to make sure everyone will have a good time, and various games will surely liven up the event.
5) Create the guest list and send out invitations.
Prepare a list of the expectant parents’ closest friends and family members. Make sure to seek their approval before sending out invitations, to avoid any embarrassing mistakes later. Bear in mind that it’s the parents’ event, and not the host’s, so their choice of people should matter the most.
Ready-made baby shower invitations are readily available in gift shops and craft stores. However, homemade invitations may also be used to provide the host’s personal touch.
Send out invitations out two to four weeks before the party to give time for the guests to fix their schedule. Baby shower invitations follow the same format as any other invitation — it indicates the date, time, place, attire preferred, gift registry, if any, the host’s contact numbers for RSVP. Just to be organised, prepare a final list of attendees a few days before the baby shower.
Aimed at further boosting the future parents’ excitement for the forthcoming member of their family, the baby shower is usually hosted by a close friend or relative, at any time during the last months of the pregnancy.
Just like any other party, a baby shower requires careful planning to ensure that it will go as smoothly as possible, and be memorable for everyone. Although there are no rules cast in stone in preparing for a baby shower, there are some helpful tips to follow to help the host organise every aspect of the event.
1) Decide on the location.
Most baby showers are held at the soon to be parents house, since the expectant mother’s health needs to be considered. It is recommended for small, intimate parties, with only the closest friends and family members. Guests also tend to be more comfortable if the party’s setting is at home.
If the expectant parents love the outdoors, a barbecue party at their garden or a local park may also be an option. Naturally, the weather must be considered – baby shower does not literally mean soaking the guests in the rain.
For fewer complications, the host may reserve a secluded area in a restaurant or bar. It may be more costly, but at least the decoration, food and drinks, as well as the post-party cleanup will already be taken care of.
2) Choose the party’s theme.
For easier decoration ideas, a theme may be decided upon. Consider the expectant parents’ favourite movies or hangouts. Another option is to decorate the party site by re-creating the place where they had their honeymoon, such as a cruise ship, or Paris-inspired café.
Since the party will also be a celebration of the future baby, a childish atmosphere may also be considered. Choose cartoon characters, bright colours, and other designs depending on the baby’s gender.
3) Finalise the menu.
The party’s menu will depend upon the time of the event. In most baby showers, the host serves finger food, pastries and other baked goods for convenience. However, if the event will be held during lunch or dinner time, heavier meals will naturally be served. Alcoholic drinks may also be prepared, depending on the guests’ preference.
4) Design a fun program.
Contrary to what most people believe, a baby shower is not only limited to mingling around, gift giving, eating and drinking. Fun games may also be included, such as charades, or those which will bring back the guests’ childhood memories. Remember that the main point is to make sure everyone will have a good time, and various games will surely liven up the event.
5) Create the guest list and send out invitations.
Prepare a list of the expectant parents’ closest friends and family members. Make sure to seek their approval before sending out invitations, to avoid any embarrassing mistakes later. Bear in mind that it’s the parents’ event, and not the host’s, so their choice of people should matter the most.
Ready-made baby shower invitations are readily available in gift shops and craft stores. However, homemade invitations may also be used to provide the host’s personal touch.
Send out invitations out two to four weeks before the party to give time for the guests to fix their schedule. Baby shower invitations follow the same format as any other invitation — it indicates the date, time, place, attire preferred, gift registry, if any, the host’s contact numbers for RSVP. Just to be organised, prepare a final list of attendees a few days before the baby shower.
Baby Shower Invitation Help: What To Write
Baby shower planning is a very big ordeal. You have all things prepared: food, fun, games, and the program. But wait, you forgot something critical. The party invitation! You basically forgot something really important when holding a party. What good is a party if there are no guests?
Creating party invitations may take some time if are choosy with words. Selecting the best wordings for the invitation is imperative as this sets the tone of the party. If the party’s theme is casual, you definitely can relay that in the invitation. Knowing which theme party you want can be used as guidelines in picking out the right words for your invitation. Fun themes like teddy bear and balloon party requires humorous and informal wordings.
You can make use of poems, famous quotes, or you can create your own too. There are several websites that offer sample wordings you can adapt for your invitation. Make a quick search and pick the catchiest wordings that you can emulate in your invitations. It can either be a general one or gender specific. Just be sure that you know ahead of time what gender the baby has.
Using baby rhymes would be a superb idea in your baby invitation. Placing the names of the expecting parents will give the invitation a personal touch. You can also put in song lyrics that are popular with kids and even nursery rhymes. Famous kiddie rhymes like Humpty Dumpty, Baa Baa Black sheep and Hickory, Dickory, Dock can add spice to your invitation too.
The main things that your baby shower invitation should include are the name of the guest of honour, the date, time, and where it will be held. If the venue for the party is quite unfamiliar to the guests, make a simple sketch to guide them to the right place. This key information is needed, and make sure that they are printed big and clear.
Don’t forget to place in the invitation whether the event will be a surprise or not. If the party is going to be a surprise, your guest should be informed to keep it secret. You would not want any guest sending in advanced gifts for the party and spoil the plan.
Another important thing to place on the invitation is the RSVP or Regrets only note. Don’t forget to place your phone number in there too of course, as guests likely will contact you their response as you requested them to.
You might want to add a registry list or the gifts you wanted your guests to bring. This is very practical if you don’t want to end up having three or four strollers which you may not use. Guests would love it if their gifts would be appreciated and would not end up just being set aside.
As important as the wordings, the presentation of the invitation speaks too. Follow the theme if you have one. If you select angels, place cute pictures of these on the invitation cover for the desired effect. If you don’t necessarily have a theme, then just select pictures that relates to a baby. Colours are important too. Use blue for boys and pink for girls. Invitations are there to create impression and entice your guests to come in this very special day. So unleash your creativity, get that pen and have fun writing.
Creating party invitations may take some time if are choosy with words. Selecting the best wordings for the invitation is imperative as this sets the tone of the party. If the party’s theme is casual, you definitely can relay that in the invitation. Knowing which theme party you want can be used as guidelines in picking out the right words for your invitation. Fun themes like teddy bear and balloon party requires humorous and informal wordings.
You can make use of poems, famous quotes, or you can create your own too. There are several websites that offer sample wordings you can adapt for your invitation. Make a quick search and pick the catchiest wordings that you can emulate in your invitations. It can either be a general one or gender specific. Just be sure that you know ahead of time what gender the baby has.
Using baby rhymes would be a superb idea in your baby invitation. Placing the names of the expecting parents will give the invitation a personal touch. You can also put in song lyrics that are popular with kids and even nursery rhymes. Famous kiddie rhymes like Humpty Dumpty, Baa Baa Black sheep and Hickory, Dickory, Dock can add spice to your invitation too.
The main things that your baby shower invitation should include are the name of the guest of honour, the date, time, and where it will be held. If the venue for the party is quite unfamiliar to the guests, make a simple sketch to guide them to the right place. This key information is needed, and make sure that they are printed big and clear.
Don’t forget to place in the invitation whether the event will be a surprise or not. If the party is going to be a surprise, your guest should be informed to keep it secret. You would not want any guest sending in advanced gifts for the party and spoil the plan.
Another important thing to place on the invitation is the RSVP or Regrets only note. Don’t forget to place your phone number in there too of course, as guests likely will contact you their response as you requested them to.
You might want to add a registry list or the gifts you wanted your guests to bring. This is very practical if you don’t want to end up having three or four strollers which you may not use. Guests would love it if their gifts would be appreciated and would not end up just being set aside.
As important as the wordings, the presentation of the invitation speaks too. Follow the theme if you have one. If you select angels, place cute pictures of these on the invitation cover for the desired effect. If you don’t necessarily have a theme, then just select pictures that relates to a baby. Colours are important too. Use blue for boys and pink for girls. Invitations are there to create impression and entice your guests to come in this very special day. So unleash your creativity, get that pen and have fun writing.
Baby Shower Graphics - Do You Want The Good Or Bad News First
The good news is we are having a baby and the bad news is all the expense that comes with the upkeep of raising the infant. The funny thing about it all is - how we have to start paying out before the baby is even on the scene. The first part where costs start to incur is with the holding of a baby shower party.
Baby Shower Graphics need not cause your pocket sorrow as these can be done by your own creative hand.
Once the host to the baby shower party has organised all other activities like the games and what food is to be eaten, they will take the next steps to securing a successful party by applying the Baby Shower Graphics. It is this part of the occasion that will surely attract the attention of those invited.
If the mother-to-be has decided on a theme for the baby shower get together then the graphics can be implemented right away. Picture graphics to match the décor of the room, on the invitations or engraved on the gift favours, will add to your venue. What every baby shower has or should have is a colourful atmosphere.
To save on the pennies you should consider printing out your very own personalised invitations. Pictures relating to your theme can be found on the internet, which you can use as your Baby Shower Graphics. Designing your own invitations will not only cut costs but give you a great feeling of self worth because of your achievement.
By adding Baby Shower Graphics to the invitation or thank you cards you will give the guest an insight to what the baby shower party is all about - also an added bonus is where you get to put your feelings into words on the invites.
If the gender of the new baby has been identified then use coloured card for invites that match the sex of baby- once again by doing this you have helped the guest by letting them know that the new baby is going to be a boy/girl. This will aid the guest in making the appropriate gift donation. In a nutshell - no returning of a blue pacifier should the baby be a girl.
Have your own Baby Shower Graphics movie show by having a projection of images displayed on the wall of your venue where the celebration is to take place. Animated movements and rotation goes down well at baby parties.
Scattered cushions around the room with embroidered pictures of different Disney characters will brighten up the whole occasion, making the whole scene stand out in saying this day is all about baby.
A good idea to make this baby shower a success is to have all the guests come dressed up in costume relating to the theme, and reward the winner with a prize for the best turned out. Warning - if there is a possibility of favouritism then have the guests wear masks and ask them not to utter a word so that there is no voice recognition till the judging is done. Do the judging right away, as soon as everyone has arrived.
Guests can personalise their gifts with Baby Shower Graphics also. If the chosen topic is known in advance then blend it into your baby gift. Items like baby mugs, engraved pictures or a baby gift basket filled with goodies will be a nice a gesture.
Baby Shower Graphics need not cause your pocket sorrow as these can be done by your own creative hand.
Once the host to the baby shower party has organised all other activities like the games and what food is to be eaten, they will take the next steps to securing a successful party by applying the Baby Shower Graphics. It is this part of the occasion that will surely attract the attention of those invited.
If the mother-to-be has decided on a theme for the baby shower get together then the graphics can be implemented right away. Picture graphics to match the décor of the room, on the invitations or engraved on the gift favours, will add to your venue. What every baby shower has or should have is a colourful atmosphere.
To save on the pennies you should consider printing out your very own personalised invitations. Pictures relating to your theme can be found on the internet, which you can use as your Baby Shower Graphics. Designing your own invitations will not only cut costs but give you a great feeling of self worth because of your achievement.
By adding Baby Shower Graphics to the invitation or thank you cards you will give the guest an insight to what the baby shower party is all about - also an added bonus is where you get to put your feelings into words on the invites.
If the gender of the new baby has been identified then use coloured card for invites that match the sex of baby- once again by doing this you have helped the guest by letting them know that the new baby is going to be a boy/girl. This will aid the guest in making the appropriate gift donation. In a nutshell - no returning of a blue pacifier should the baby be a girl.
Have your own Baby Shower Graphics movie show by having a projection of images displayed on the wall of your venue where the celebration is to take place. Animated movements and rotation goes down well at baby parties.
Scattered cushions around the room with embroidered pictures of different Disney characters will brighten up the whole occasion, making the whole scene stand out in saying this day is all about baby.
A good idea to make this baby shower a success is to have all the guests come dressed up in costume relating to the theme, and reward the winner with a prize for the best turned out. Warning - if there is a possibility of favouritism then have the guests wear masks and ask them not to utter a word so that there is no voice recognition till the judging is done. Do the judging right away, as soon as everyone has arrived.
Guests can personalise their gifts with Baby Shower Graphics also. If the chosen topic is known in advance then blend it into your baby gift. Items like baby mugs, engraved pictures or a baby gift basket filled with goodies will be a nice a gesture.
Baby Shower Gifts - Perfect Gift For A Mummy And Daddy
There are many different ways of celebrating a new baby on the way. The options are endless. It is the holding of a baby shower party which is the most popular where guests bring along baby shower gifts for the mother-to-be. All presents are normally items that mother and baby need, thus helping the new parent in raising the baby.
Looking for ideas on what to give will not be a problem but what you have to remember when buying baby shower gifts is, it is not about you and your likes and dislikes. The new mum-to-be may not have the same opinion on what you see as pretty or not. Stick with the essentials and you cannot go far wrong. By doing this you know that your baby shower gift will be truly appreciated especially if it helps towards reducing the new parents cost allowance in raising the baby.
If you are not sure of what the essentials are then the list below may help you decide on what to bring as your gift to the party.
1. Nappies may not be the most fanciful of gifts to bestow but certainly the most practical. We all know that you can never have too many nappies of which mummy will find out a little later when baby is here. Nappies can be very costly so I am sure that this baby shower gift will not be snubbed. You have two types of nappy - the disposable or cloth. A tip for the parent, if you receive cloth and don’t intend to use them then why not cut into neat square strips and use for baby flannels - you will need them come bath time.
2. Bottles and Pacifiers are fabulous gift items but need to be chosen with care e.g. colours, pacifiers in blue don’t suit little girls or vice or versa. This sort of gift picking can be a nightmare because baby can be picky on what they are comfortable and content with.
3. If you choose to buy baby clothes as your baby shower gift always go for a size bigger or bigger again as babies are not babies for long. Selecting what clothes to buy will be a lot simpler if the sex of the baby is known or the month baby is due. By having this information under your hat your choice regarding colours and which outfit for the season will make your task easier.
4. Toys make ideal presents but once again the sex of the baby is definitely a plus to know. You can help boost baby’s mind with self educational stuff, things like classic story baby books, video and music CDs even cuddly bears which often becomes baby’s companion at bedtime.
5. Bath time and babies, they either love or hate the water. For babies that love to splash then perfect gifts are baby shower bath toys. For infants who are dubious in taking the plunge you have to make this experience as enjoyable as you can by giving little excites like cute rubber ducks bright and colourful. Scented bath rubs like lavender cologne or even bubble bath may help baby relax more. Towels/flannels are among other gifts warmly welcomed for help to easing bath time pressure, mopping up splashed water. This is a time for wetsuits believe me.
If all fails at bath time in keeping the agitated baby content and the baby shower gifts are not helping to overcome the fear then you have no option but to play clown for a while. The more action around baby at this time e.g. a mad mummy and daddy dunking their head under water may just help baby to forget why he/she made all the fuss in the first place.
Looking for ideas on what to give will not be a problem but what you have to remember when buying baby shower gifts is, it is not about you and your likes and dislikes. The new mum-to-be may not have the same opinion on what you see as pretty or not. Stick with the essentials and you cannot go far wrong. By doing this you know that your baby shower gift will be truly appreciated especially if it helps towards reducing the new parents cost allowance in raising the baby.
If you are not sure of what the essentials are then the list below may help you decide on what to bring as your gift to the party.
1. Nappies may not be the most fanciful of gifts to bestow but certainly the most practical. We all know that you can never have too many nappies of which mummy will find out a little later when baby is here. Nappies can be very costly so I am sure that this baby shower gift will not be snubbed. You have two types of nappy - the disposable or cloth. A tip for the parent, if you receive cloth and don’t intend to use them then why not cut into neat square strips and use for baby flannels - you will need them come bath time.
2. Bottles and Pacifiers are fabulous gift items but need to be chosen with care e.g. colours, pacifiers in blue don’t suit little girls or vice or versa. This sort of gift picking can be a nightmare because baby can be picky on what they are comfortable and content with.
3. If you choose to buy baby clothes as your baby shower gift always go for a size bigger or bigger again as babies are not babies for long. Selecting what clothes to buy will be a lot simpler if the sex of the baby is known or the month baby is due. By having this information under your hat your choice regarding colours and which outfit for the season will make your task easier.
4. Toys make ideal presents but once again the sex of the baby is definitely a plus to know. You can help boost baby’s mind with self educational stuff, things like classic story baby books, video and music CDs even cuddly bears which often becomes baby’s companion at bedtime.
5. Bath time and babies, they either love or hate the water. For babies that love to splash then perfect gifts are baby shower bath toys. For infants who are dubious in taking the plunge you have to make this experience as enjoyable as you can by giving little excites like cute rubber ducks bright and colourful. Scented bath rubs like lavender cologne or even bubble bath may help baby relax more. Towels/flannels are among other gifts warmly welcomed for help to easing bath time pressure, mopping up splashed water. This is a time for wetsuits believe me.
If all fails at bath time in keeping the agitated baby content and the baby shower gifts are not helping to overcome the fear then you have no option but to play clown for a while. The more action around baby at this time e.g. a mad mummy and daddy dunking their head under water may just help baby to forget why he/she made all the fuss in the first place.
Baby Shower Gift Idea Brainstorming
Choosing the right baby shower gift is very important and you should give it some serious thought. Baby showers are one of the best occasions for gift giving. But if you're one of those people who are completely clueless when it comes to babies, then this could be a difficult situation for you.
Here are some suggestions and tips on how to find a gift for those cute babies:
1. Just go to any mall and browse through the toy department section. You should be able to choose something that a baby will love. Remember that little babies are delicate creatures, so stay away from toys that might potentially harm them. Soft toys, baby books, baby apparels are some of the more ideal presents that are suitable for babies. If you find that you are still having trouble deciding on a purchase, ask a friendly salesperson to assist you.
2. Most pregnant women have a registry account that specifies the items that they need for their babies. This makes the process of gift giving so much easier for friends and family. This also takes out the guess work out of the equation. So if you're not one of those people that are not crazy about surprises, you can always just check the expectant mother’s list to find out exactly what type of gift she wants.
3. Ask your friends who are parents to assist you in your time of need. Ask them to impart their wisdom onto you, and discuss the things that a baby might need.
4. Do an inventory with your other friends whom you know would also be giving baby gifts for this occasion. This way, you don't end up buying the same things.
5. If you feel that your inadequacy when it comes to selecting a baby shower gift is insurmountable , you can always just beg one of your friends who are more baby friendly to tag along with you. This way, you are saved the embarrassment of your severe indecision when it comes time to select the perfect giant rubber ducky.
6. You can just always buy baby clothes! If you consider yourself posh, and live for fashion, then this is your chance to shine! Who knows your style might even influence the future generation to come to carry on your fashion forward sensibilities!
7. Baby jewellery looks cute on babies! Baby bracelets, necklaces, earrings, cufflinks and tie bars for boys, are just dandy! Babies can't have enough cute things in their armoury, so do your share and contribute to the storage!
8. Invest on their minds and buy tons of baby books. Who knows, you just might be the honorary aunt or uncle of a future Einstein! You can't go wrong with books. Education is truly a gift!
9. If you want to be loved, bestow the gift of a baby saving's bond. This helps ensure a kid's future. This way when the baby grows up, you will always be remembered as the generous person that you are.
10. Baby shower gift baskets are reliable and practical gifts. They contain everything that a baby will need. Baby shower gift baskets have themes. Bath time baby baskets usually contain baby items like a set of comb and brushes, towels, grooming kits and the likes, and of course, the ever reliable rubber ducky.
It's not really that hard to come up with a baby shower gift idea. For those who are not enthusiastic about babies, and consider them little brats, well shame on you! Good thing this is your lucky day, so you can just pick a baby shower gift idea from one of the suggestions written above.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Baby Shower Games - Less Bills More Thrills
Game festivities are guaranteed to liven up and thrill the guests invited along to your baby shower party. Baby’s day should be fun filled action packed and full of laughter and a sure way for this to happen is when Baby Shower Games are in play.
You don't have to be at a loose end when it comes to providing entertainment for the guest invites attending the baby shower party. One of the best options for additional fun is to play games.
Have your friends and family join in The Name Game
The start of this game is where you ask the players to write down two names for the baby, and then ask them to find as many words as they can from their chosen names. The winner will be the player with the most names. Be sure to mention before play that words with less than three letters are not valid.
To make the name game even more exciting ask the guests to keep the names they chose a secret from the other entrants. The reason for this is because they will be given the opportunity to guess from the words made up what names were chosen at the beginning of the name game.
Feeding Time is another particular favourite; this is game where cotton balls are placed into a basin with another empty basin at the side. Blind fold the players for this game who will then be prompted to transfer the cotton balls from one basin to the other with the aid of a spoon. Put a time limit on this game because this game is not as easy as it looks. The winner is the one with the most cotton balls moved.
Another unusual named game is the Rice Bowl but very popular at baby shower occasions. Take a bowl and fill it half-way with plain uncooked rice. Into the rice throw in safety pins (be careful with safety pins). Blind folded once again the guests task is to take turns in retrieving the pins.
Guess the Guest is a real fun game where guests are asked to bring a picture along of when they were a baby, On entrance to the baby shower celebration these photos will be handed to whoever is in charge of the entertainment scene. Participants in this game join in the fun by identifying the picture and putting the right face to the right person.
Baby Shower Games highlight the whole of the occasion adding fun and laughter. Most games entail being blind folded. A word of warning - too many of these baby shower games then you don't get to see as much of the baby shower as you would like!
You don't have to be at a loose end when it comes to providing entertainment for the guest invites attending the baby shower party. One of the best options for additional fun is to play games.
Have your friends and family join in The Name Game
The start of this game is where you ask the players to write down two names for the baby, and then ask them to find as many words as they can from their chosen names. The winner will be the player with the most names. Be sure to mention before play that words with less than three letters are not valid.
To make the name game even more exciting ask the guests to keep the names they chose a secret from the other entrants. The reason for this is because they will be given the opportunity to guess from the words made up what names were chosen at the beginning of the name game.
Feeding Time is another particular favourite; this is game where cotton balls are placed into a basin with another empty basin at the side. Blind fold the players for this game who will then be prompted to transfer the cotton balls from one basin to the other with the aid of a spoon. Put a time limit on this game because this game is not as easy as it looks. The winner is the one with the most cotton balls moved.
Another unusual named game is the Rice Bowl but very popular at baby shower occasions. Take a bowl and fill it half-way with plain uncooked rice. Into the rice throw in safety pins (be careful with safety pins). Blind folded once again the guests task is to take turns in retrieving the pins.
Guess the Guest is a real fun game where guests are asked to bring a picture along of when they were a baby, On entrance to the baby shower celebration these photos will be handed to whoever is in charge of the entertainment scene. Participants in this game join in the fun by identifying the picture and putting the right face to the right person.
Baby Shower Games highlight the whole of the occasion adding fun and laughter. Most games entail being blind folded. A word of warning - too many of these baby shower games then you don't get to see as much of the baby shower as you would like!
Baby Shower And Motherhood Celebration
A baby shower is a good way to welcome an expecting woman to motherhood. It doesn’t even matter whether the baby shower that is being celebrated is the mother’s first or not. Baby showers are fun events especially for women, and women no matter the age love girl parties.
Baby shower events are not as stiff today as tradition dictated. Anyone can participate in a baby shower unlike before when only non-relatives can. What is important is someone cared enough to initiate the shower except of course the mother.
A baby shower is a celebration of motherhood as well as celebrating birth and fertility. And so a baby shower should pose no restrictions. Anyone can initiate it. Close friends, a sister or even a group of people so long as they want to share the fun and responsibilities in hosting the event.
The best people to be invited to baby shower parties are those that are in the expectant mothers list. The best way to kick the invitations off is through the good old-fashioned hand written messages. E-mails and other electronic devices can be used invite guests but handwritten messages are the best medium to set the tone of the party. If the celebration were not for a first born, it would be safer to invite only the soon-to-be-mothers and those that haven’t attended a baby shower yet.
Traditionally, males are not invited to baby shower parties but in today’s more open interaction, there could be males who would genuinely want to experience what baby showers are. If so, have them in but prepare food for them other than the traditional artsy cutesy food. There are just tastes that males would always prefer. The games also have to be designed so that the male guests do not remain spectators and observers during the entire celebration.
The ideal date to hold a baby shower is about one to two months before the baby arrives. This is also a good lead-time for the expecting mother to shop around for items for the infant that has been missed in the gift giving. Baby showers are best held in the mothers’ house or backyard but it can also be just as fine in any function hall and the church’s fellowship area.
One of the most lively and exciting parts in the baby shower party is during gift giving. This can be made more exciting if each guest has a theme for her present. Gift baskets are popular and can easily be themed. Bathtubs, linen, infant accessory baskets, toy bins, hampers, name it, theming can easily be done and in a more creative way. While baby showers are dedicated to motherhood, it would also be a good idea to give gifts to the baby that fathers would appreciate like bibs and linen with an “I love my dad” on it.
It will be presumed that second time mothers would require less baby gear. If that is so, gifts for the mother will also be appropriate like gift checks, and nursing accessories.
Baby showers are great ways to express affinity and friendship. Everyone appreciates kind and well-intentioned thoughts. Parents all over the world are flattered when their children are appreciated. Baby showers are one of the events that anyone can use to rekindle bonds and relationships.
Baby shower events are not as stiff today as tradition dictated. Anyone can participate in a baby shower unlike before when only non-relatives can. What is important is someone cared enough to initiate the shower except of course the mother.
A baby shower is a celebration of motherhood as well as celebrating birth and fertility. And so a baby shower should pose no restrictions. Anyone can initiate it. Close friends, a sister or even a group of people so long as they want to share the fun and responsibilities in hosting the event.
The best people to be invited to baby shower parties are those that are in the expectant mothers list. The best way to kick the invitations off is through the good old-fashioned hand written messages. E-mails and other electronic devices can be used invite guests but handwritten messages are the best medium to set the tone of the party. If the celebration were not for a first born, it would be safer to invite only the soon-to-be-mothers and those that haven’t attended a baby shower yet.
Traditionally, males are not invited to baby shower parties but in today’s more open interaction, there could be males who would genuinely want to experience what baby showers are. If so, have them in but prepare food for them other than the traditional artsy cutesy food. There are just tastes that males would always prefer. The games also have to be designed so that the male guests do not remain spectators and observers during the entire celebration.
The ideal date to hold a baby shower is about one to two months before the baby arrives. This is also a good lead-time for the expecting mother to shop around for items for the infant that has been missed in the gift giving. Baby showers are best held in the mothers’ house or backyard but it can also be just as fine in any function hall and the church’s fellowship area.
One of the most lively and exciting parts in the baby shower party is during gift giving. This can be made more exciting if each guest has a theme for her present. Gift baskets are popular and can easily be themed. Bathtubs, linen, infant accessory baskets, toy bins, hampers, name it, theming can easily be done and in a more creative way. While baby showers are dedicated to motherhood, it would also be a good idea to give gifts to the baby that fathers would appreciate like bibs and linen with an “I love my dad” on it.
It will be presumed that second time mothers would require less baby gear. If that is so, gifts for the mother will also be appropriate like gift checks, and nursing accessories.
Baby showers are great ways to express affinity and friendship. Everyone appreciates kind and well-intentioned thoughts. Parents all over the world are flattered when their children are appreciated. Baby showers are one of the events that anyone can use to rekindle bonds and relationships.
Sunday, 14 March 2010
What do you buy a new born baby?
So your friends have had a baby, and you’re wondering what to get them for a gift. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking - you might not like all of them, but hopefully there will be something here that appeals to you.
The first, and most obvious, candidate for a baby gift has to be clothes. Many people are reluctant to buy clothes in advance of the birth because they’re not sure what gender the baby is going to be, but don’t let that put you off – white clothes are nice-looking and gender-neutral. It will depend on where you live, but the best baby clothes tend to be soft, fluffy things that can keep the baby cosy and warm. Do realise, however, that clothes aren’t exactly an original gift, and the couple might already be snowed under with them.
Toys are another favourite, although it can be difficult to know what to get. Things like mobiles and other brightly coloured things that the baby can swipe at tend to be a good choice, as are rattles and soft toys that make noises. You will probably win more points with the parents by getting more educational baby toys, such as those with shapes or animal noises, instead of ones that just seem cool.
If you want to think more unconventionally, though, there are plenty of things to consider. Why not buy (or contribute towards) a cot, or a pushchair? Why not start a savings fund for the baby, with a decent chunk of money to get it started? Or you could buy nappies, or bath stuff, or whatever – take a look at the baby section in any shop to get plenty of ideas.
One last idea: with all this focus on things for the baby, maybe the parents are feeling a little left out, with no presents for them and no money or time left to treat themselves for a good long while. A nice thing to do is to get a present for the parents, as it will probably be the only thing they get for themselves, and they’ll be pleased that someone thought of them.
Your Guide To Baby Shower Planning
With baby showers, as with all important events, often the details can get in the way of the hosts enjoyment of the party! Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. Take it one step at a time and enjoy yourself. A baby is on the way and the baby shower is your welcome home gift. Answer these questions before you begin and your baby shower is sure to be a success.
Who Does What?
Assign tasks. Delegating duties will let you direct and handle mishaps rather than handle everything as well as mishaps. Of course, enlisting friends and family requires their agreement so ask them well in advance of the baby shower.
How Much Will You Spend?
Set aside a certain amount of money for each part of the baby shower and stick to it. Make sure your list is thorough and that your expected expenditures are realistic. Don’t forget the paper plates and cups and napkins! Assigning others to bring things you need will help you cut down on baby shower expenses.
Who’s Coming?
Ask the new parents who they want at their baby shower and get the addresses at least a month in advance. You will need addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Get the invitations out no less than 3 weeks before the day of the baby shower.
What’s Your Theme?
1930s Flapper baby shower? Maybe a picnic in the park? Whatever you choose, make sure that your guests know what to expect. If your budget allows, have the baby shower invitations made up in the theme of the expected party. Personalised invitations are cheaper than you might think, and they help generate a feeling of excitement amongst the invited guests and friends.
What Food Will You Serve?
The food for your baby shower should reflect the theme, but make sure you choose something that the Mum to be likes. Pregnant women have aversions and cravings and catering to these is an essential aspect of the baby shower. Don’t get too hung up here – a finger buffet is always best. This is way less formal than a set menu and dining time, and less expensive also.
Where Should You Hold the Baby Shower?
Wherever you choose, it should be easy to find, comfortable for the number of guests you’ve invited and inexpensive to you.
When Should You Hold the Baby Shower?
It’s the new mu’s choice! She may want to hold it in the middle of her pregnancy or wait until after the baby is born. When you pick a date and time, stick with it!
What Games Will You Play?
What prizes will you give away? What will you need so that all of your guests can play the games? Make sure you choose plenty of back up baby shower games in case things go a little too slow and need some livening up!
Who Does What?
Assign tasks. Delegating duties will let you direct and handle mishaps rather than handle everything as well as mishaps. Of course, enlisting friends and family requires their agreement so ask them well in advance of the baby shower.
How Much Will You Spend?
Set aside a certain amount of money for each part of the baby shower and stick to it. Make sure your list is thorough and that your expected expenditures are realistic. Don’t forget the paper plates and cups and napkins! Assigning others to bring things you need will help you cut down on baby shower expenses.
Who’s Coming?
Ask the new parents who they want at their baby shower and get the addresses at least a month in advance. You will need addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Get the invitations out no less than 3 weeks before the day of the baby shower.
What’s Your Theme?
1930s Flapper baby shower? Maybe a picnic in the park? Whatever you choose, make sure that your guests know what to expect. If your budget allows, have the baby shower invitations made up in the theme of the expected party. Personalised invitations are cheaper than you might think, and they help generate a feeling of excitement amongst the invited guests and friends.
What Food Will You Serve?
The food for your baby shower should reflect the theme, but make sure you choose something that the Mum to be likes. Pregnant women have aversions and cravings and catering to these is an essential aspect of the baby shower. Don’t get too hung up here – a finger buffet is always best. This is way less formal than a set menu and dining time, and less expensive also.
Where Should You Hold the Baby Shower?
Wherever you choose, it should be easy to find, comfortable for the number of guests you’ve invited and inexpensive to you.
When Should You Hold the Baby Shower?
It’s the new mu’s choice! She may want to hold it in the middle of her pregnancy or wait until after the baby is born. When you pick a date and time, stick with it!
What Games Will You Play?
What prizes will you give away? What will you need so that all of your guests can play the games? Make sure you choose plenty of back up baby shower games in case things go a little too slow and need some livening up!
Tips For Planning Great Baby Showers
Baby showers are parties thrown for friends that are pregnant. This practice has significantly changed over the course of the years and has gradually become more and more elaborate and planned.
Baby showers can make an expectant mother feel more secure in the fact that her friends are all pulling for her and giving moral and financial support. Usually the baby shower is organized by non-relatives. But today, there is isn’t abnormal to find family members, support group members, church friends and pretty much anyone except the expecting mother.
Inviting the Guests
Who should you invite? Usually, the guest list will only include those nearest and dearest to the expectant mother. It wouldn’t hurt if she gets a first look at the guest list so that she can suggest who should be invited. If you are planning a surprise baby shower, you will have to do a little research on who should be attending instead of running the list through the expectant mother.
If the child is not a firstborn, you may opt to keep the number of guests down to the closest to the mother. Firstborn baby showers tend to have a larger guest list since it is, after all, the mother’s first time.
The thing to remember is that the nature of baby showers is intimacy. So, for any baby shower party, try making the gathering one of intimate friends.
You could use informal ways to invite these guests: email, phone and others. Invitation cards and other letters are the best way, however, as they provide a tangible, traceable evidence of invitation. Plus, it is the most sure and formal way to invite a person – and in many cultures – the only way.
What About the Guys
The nature of the party is probably going to tend towards the feminine side; if the organizers of the party have a provision for this, then inviting men would be fine. It also depends on the men, since the party may dwell on topics such as pregnancy, children, and other motherly topics, they might not be that excited to join. All in all, it depends on the preference of the organizers.
Venue
Anywhere! As long as it can keep with the placid and fun nature of the occasion, any place would be fine. The more usual places on baby shower lists are backyards, formal halls, restaurants, and basically any room that has the amenities to make a baby shower successful. Just make sure the venue is not crowded and stressful to the mother-to-be. It also pays to make sure the venue is set long before the actual baby shower happens.
When to Throw a Baby Shower
Usually this is one or two months before her due. The baby shower is the perfect time to get your friend baby needs and stuff she may not have had time to purchase yet. It has to be well-timed though – not too close to the due date, and not to far as to whittle down the excitement.
Baby showers are a pleasant surprise to expecting mothers. It takes a lot of the stress of expecting a child off of their minds and provides a means for friends to show support and concern (and of course, baby gifts) to expecting friends.
A properly coordinated baby shower will be greatly appreciated and forever remembered by mothers long after they have delivered their children.
Baby showers can make an expectant mother feel more secure in the fact that her friends are all pulling for her and giving moral and financial support. Usually the baby shower is organized by non-relatives. But today, there is isn’t abnormal to find family members, support group members, church friends and pretty much anyone except the expecting mother.
Inviting the Guests
Who should you invite? Usually, the guest list will only include those nearest and dearest to the expectant mother. It wouldn’t hurt if she gets a first look at the guest list so that she can suggest who should be invited. If you are planning a surprise baby shower, you will have to do a little research on who should be attending instead of running the list through the expectant mother.
If the child is not a firstborn, you may opt to keep the number of guests down to the closest to the mother. Firstborn baby showers tend to have a larger guest list since it is, after all, the mother’s first time.
The thing to remember is that the nature of baby showers is intimacy. So, for any baby shower party, try making the gathering one of intimate friends.
You could use informal ways to invite these guests: email, phone and others. Invitation cards and other letters are the best way, however, as they provide a tangible, traceable evidence of invitation. Plus, it is the most sure and formal way to invite a person – and in many cultures – the only way.
What About the Guys
The nature of the party is probably going to tend towards the feminine side; if the organizers of the party have a provision for this, then inviting men would be fine. It also depends on the men, since the party may dwell on topics such as pregnancy, children, and other motherly topics, they might not be that excited to join. All in all, it depends on the preference of the organizers.
Venue
Anywhere! As long as it can keep with the placid and fun nature of the occasion, any place would be fine. The more usual places on baby shower lists are backyards, formal halls, restaurants, and basically any room that has the amenities to make a baby shower successful. Just make sure the venue is not crowded and stressful to the mother-to-be. It also pays to make sure the venue is set long before the actual baby shower happens.
When to Throw a Baby Shower
Usually this is one or two months before her due. The baby shower is the perfect time to get your friend baby needs and stuff she may not have had time to purchase yet. It has to be well-timed though – not too close to the due date, and not to far as to whittle down the excitement.
Baby showers are a pleasant surprise to expecting mothers. It takes a lot of the stress of expecting a child off of their minds and provides a means for friends to show support and concern (and of course, baby gifts) to expecting friends.
A properly coordinated baby shower will be greatly appreciated and forever remembered by mothers long after they have delivered their children.
Saturday, 13 March 2010
A Baby Shower Really Is A Time for Celebration For Everyone
Celebrating the upcoming arrival of a new baby is exciting but at the same time, it's often a situation in which both parents can feel much anxiety. These feelings of anxiety are especially strong for first-time parents. There is so much to know and so many different items are needed to provide proper infant care.
The idea of the baby shower came about as both a special time for family and friends to be together before the baby's arrival and also to help relieve the financial burden on parents-to-be by supplying them with many of the new gadgets, furnishings and accessories they'll need once their baby arrives.
And even though today most people prefer to break out of the 'traditional' mould, when it comes to a baby shower, these events for the most part still adhere to traditional guidelines. Probably one of the biggest changes to the baby shower format is that they're no longer exclusively for women. Plenty of men make it onto today's baby shower guest list and those who are invited don't come grudgingly. While they might not play in all the baby shower games, men do enjoy the opportunity to give their regards to the expectant mother- and father-to-be.
In some cultures however, a baby shower is considered a sign of bad luck. If there's a chance the expectant mother might feel this way, be sure to check with her before proceeding with the baby shower.
In some parts of the world the baby shower is actually held after the baby is born. This makes sense since a baby shower is a celebration of the baby and guests enjoy actually seeing the one who is being celebrated. It's also easier to select gender-appropriate colours and gifts and should the gift need engraving, guests have all the delivery details they need.
Having the baby shower after the baby's birth does make sense, but it's a very busy time for new parents. Plus, many of the baby items the expectant parent(s) need are needed as soon as the baby arrives home. That's why scheduling the baby shower before the baby's birth is the more common option.
The baby shower itself is traditional and for the most part, every shower involves the same activities. Guest lists and invitations need to be created and mailed. The shower location needs to be decorated. Guests expect to be entertained so food, drink and games need to be coordinated. And because it's a special occasion, there might even be a photographer and/or videographer, musician and other special talent participating in the festivities.
A baby shower can be a big to-do with lots of little details to coordinate and every detail is going to cost money. That's why it's highly advisable for whoever is hosting the shower to put together (and stick to) a workable budget.
Pulling off a successful special event like a baby shower doesn't take special talent, it takes a well-thought out plan that includes a timeline and a budget.
The idea of the baby shower came about as both a special time for family and friends to be together before the baby's arrival and also to help relieve the financial burden on parents-to-be by supplying them with many of the new gadgets, furnishings and accessories they'll need once their baby arrives.
And even though today most people prefer to break out of the 'traditional' mould, when it comes to a baby shower, these events for the most part still adhere to traditional guidelines. Probably one of the biggest changes to the baby shower format is that they're no longer exclusively for women. Plenty of men make it onto today's baby shower guest list and those who are invited don't come grudgingly. While they might not play in all the baby shower games, men do enjoy the opportunity to give their regards to the expectant mother- and father-to-be.
In some cultures however, a baby shower is considered a sign of bad luck. If there's a chance the expectant mother might feel this way, be sure to check with her before proceeding with the baby shower.
In some parts of the world the baby shower is actually held after the baby is born. This makes sense since a baby shower is a celebration of the baby and guests enjoy actually seeing the one who is being celebrated. It's also easier to select gender-appropriate colours and gifts and should the gift need engraving, guests have all the delivery details they need.
Having the baby shower after the baby's birth does make sense, but it's a very busy time for new parents. Plus, many of the baby items the expectant parent(s) need are needed as soon as the baby arrives home. That's why scheduling the baby shower before the baby's birth is the more common option.
The baby shower itself is traditional and for the most part, every shower involves the same activities. Guest lists and invitations need to be created and mailed. The shower location needs to be decorated. Guests expect to be entertained so food, drink and games need to be coordinated. And because it's a special occasion, there might even be a photographer and/or videographer, musician and other special talent participating in the festivities.
A baby shower can be a big to-do with lots of little details to coordinate and every detail is going to cost money. That's why it's highly advisable for whoever is hosting the shower to put together (and stick to) a workable budget.
Pulling off a successful special event like a baby shower doesn't take special talent, it takes a well-thought out plan that includes a timeline and a budget.
7 things to consider when planning a baby shower
Baby showers have their origin in ancient time. Like other things, the way and manner in which they are planned and celebrated have changed over time. Here are some things that you should bear in mind when planning a baby shower today.
1. Know the culture of the would be parents.
Because baby showers are steeped in tradition and customs, it is important to have a good idea of what is culturally acceptable by the would be parents and what is not. People do not necessarily throw away their culture because they live in modern times. Knowing the cultural limitations makes the celebration more memorable and worthwhile.
2. Know the needs of the parents to be
It is pointless giving gifts that recipients cannot use. Would be parents need things for the new baby and are probably stretched to their limits. It would be only worth their while if the gifts they get help to alleviate this burden. Where the gender of the baby is known in advance, give gifts that are gender appropriate.
3. Know the best time to schedule your shower
As the hostess, it behoves you to know when to schedule the baby shower for maximum benefit and impact. Do not schedule your shower too early or too late. Expecting couples need all the financial help they can get. Scheduling a shower too late may mean that the couple had already bought all the things they need for the baby.
4. Know the physical needs of the expecting mother
Pregnancy puts enormous physical challenges and demand on the expecting mother, especially if it is their first pregnancy. It is a good idea to locate the shower closer to home to avoid putting additional strain on an already over challenged mother to be.
5. Know who is on your guest list
The success and failure of a baby shower to a certain extent depends on the attendance. How responsive is your list. Did you consult the couple when compiling your guest list? Remember this is their baby shower not yours. You are only a vessel in the actualization of this event.
6. Know your refreshment plan
Preparing for and feeding even the smallest group of people can quickly turn into a nightmare if no adequate plans are made for that. Set up a plan about what to serve and how to serve it and work your plan. Make room for emergencies that may arise.
7. Know your plan for entertainment
What is your plan for entertainment? Do you have games that your guests can play? Board games and puzzles make for easy and entertaining games that your guests can play. You might want to organize some kind of poetry reading, depending on the mix of your guests. You can have guests come with their own poems written for the occasion to share with others.
1. Know the culture of the would be parents.
Because baby showers are steeped in tradition and customs, it is important to have a good idea of what is culturally acceptable by the would be parents and what is not. People do not necessarily throw away their culture because they live in modern times. Knowing the cultural limitations makes the celebration more memorable and worthwhile.
2. Know the needs of the parents to be
It is pointless giving gifts that recipients cannot use. Would be parents need things for the new baby and are probably stretched to their limits. It would be only worth their while if the gifts they get help to alleviate this burden. Where the gender of the baby is known in advance, give gifts that are gender appropriate.
3. Know the best time to schedule your shower
As the hostess, it behoves you to know when to schedule the baby shower for maximum benefit and impact. Do not schedule your shower too early or too late. Expecting couples need all the financial help they can get. Scheduling a shower too late may mean that the couple had already bought all the things they need for the baby.
4. Know the physical needs of the expecting mother
Pregnancy puts enormous physical challenges and demand on the expecting mother, especially if it is their first pregnancy. It is a good idea to locate the shower closer to home to avoid putting additional strain on an already over challenged mother to be.
5. Know who is on your guest list
The success and failure of a baby shower to a certain extent depends on the attendance. How responsive is your list. Did you consult the couple when compiling your guest list? Remember this is their baby shower not yours. You are only a vessel in the actualization of this event.
6. Know your refreshment plan
Preparing for and feeding even the smallest group of people can quickly turn into a nightmare if no adequate plans are made for that. Set up a plan about what to serve and how to serve it and work your plan. Make room for emergencies that may arise.
7. Know your plan for entertainment
What is your plan for entertainment? Do you have games that your guests can play? Board games and puzzles make for easy and entertaining games that your guests can play. You might want to organize some kind of poetry reading, depending on the mix of your guests. You can have guests come with their own poems written for the occasion to share with others.
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