A baby shower is a very special occasion – when the mum-to-be gets to be in the spotlight before attention shifts to the impending baby. If you’re organising a baby shower for a friend, here’s a checklist to take the stress out of what will be a fun get-together.
- Set a budget and work out how much you want to spend. Also decide whether you need to co-opt any friends to lend a hand.
- Write the guest list: the number of guests often affects the location and budget.
- Pick a venue. Where will the party be held? Indoors or outdoors? At home, a restaurant, a club? Make sure it is large enough to hold your guests.
- Decide on a date and time. Check that the venue and caterers will be available on that date. Showers are normally held on a Saturday or Sunday, four to eight weeks prior to the due date.
- Decide on a theme. If the sex is known, will the decorations be blue or pink? If not, go for something bright and cheerful, like lemon.
- Send out the invites. Invitations can be sent online, purchased from a stationery store or handmade. Don’t forget to include a phone number or email address to RSVP. Send them a month or so prior to the date.
- Decide on the decorations: balloons, streamers, children’s clothes hung on a makeshift clothesline. Plan what to include in take-home favour bags, if you are supplying these.
- Plan what to eat and drink, and what tableware will be needed: work with the restaurant, or if you are doing it yourself, organise caterers or plan a menu of what you will make. Choose tasty, easy-to-eat foods. If you are having the party at home, enlist help from other friends and family. This will ensure it runs smoothly, and you enjoy it too.
- Think about what games and activities are appropriate and what the mum-to-be will enjoy.
- Finally, check that the camera batteries are charged. Assign one person the task of taking photos, to be given to the mother-to-be later, and designate another to write down the names of all gifts (and who they are from) so that the new mum can write thank you notes after the shower.
See more helpful tips in our Mums & Babies section
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