May is the month when Mother’s Day is celebrated and it seems like an appropriate time to talk about baby showers.  What a special time in a woman’s life when she is expecting a baby, especially if she is having her first child.  It is a perfect time for family and friends to gather to celebrate the upcoming birth and a wonderful way to gift the mom-to-be with a beautiful layette while enjoying some delicious food and good conversation.

The first thing to do when planning a baby shower is to decide on the date and location.  In regards to the date of the shower, be sure to pick a day close to the mother’s due date, but not too close.  Now, let me tell a funny story about my baby shower.  My friend was hosting my shower at her home and very early in morning on the day of the shower I went into labor, it was one month before my due date.  On the way to the hospital I called my friend to let her know what was happening and we talked about the possibility of cancelling the party but we decided it was too late; guests had come in from out of town, so she went ahead with the shower as originally planned.  Meanwhile, as the guests were arriving at my friend’s house, I’m in the hospital giving birth to my daughter.  To conclude the story, I wasn’t able to attend my own baby shower but I have some great photos of my friend opening up all the presents gather will my family and friends!

Once the date and location are decided, set a budget to keep the costs within reason.  Expenses can get quickly out of hand, so be sure to have a plan and stick to the budget.  The next step would be to pick a theme because that would suggest the type and style of the shower decorations.  Take a look online and search for baby shower themes, there are thousands to choose from.  Sometimes the parents-to-be will know the baby’s gender and this information can determine the colors to use for the party.    In regards to a specific theme, find out what the interests of the parents-to-be for inspiration. Maybe it is an interest in baseball, football or some other sports, maybe it is music or ballet, and maybe it is reading books or going to the movies.  As an example of a book theme, perhaps the parent-to-be loved a book when they were a child; that would be a great inspiration of a theme for a baby shower.  Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, Peter Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh, Tom Sawyer – any of these books would make wonderful themes.  Here are a couple of other suggestions: ask the guests to bring their favorite book to help build a home library for the new baby or maybe the cake can be in the shape of a stack of books.  So, the idea is to select a specific theme and use it to inspire the invitations, decorations, party favors and maybe even the cake.

Once the theme is decided, then it is time to think about the party decorations.  Decorations can be expensive, so consider keeping the cost to a minimum by creating them from simple supplies purchased from the local craft store.  Take a trip to the craft store and be inspired by the paper in the scrapbook aisle.  Scrapbook paper can be used for invitations, name tags, place cards, banners and all kinds of decorations for the party.  Do a search online for handmade baby shower decorations for great ideas.

Baby shower decorations can be created using some unusual baby items; take a look at the baby section of your local retail store,  For fun party favors, use small baby bottles filled either with colorful candy or soothing bath salts and be sure to tie a small thank you note to the bottle.  For name tags at the party here is a cute idea, set out a supply of cute diaper pins so guests can attach the tags to their clothing.  Check out this month’s Craft post, Baby Sock Corsage/Bouquet, for a cute idea using socks and other items of baby clothing, there are a list of supplies and simple instructions to make a special mom-to-be corsage and a very unique gift presentation.   Also there are ideas for using items of baby clothing to create baby shower decorations and party favors and even a unique “wearable guest book” as a signed t-shirt or onesie.

Shower decorations can come from items already owned.  Ask the parents-to-be if they have any childhood toys, these would make truly personal and unique items to use as decorations at the party.  Smaller items can be used on the buffet table and larger items can be placed around the room.  A precious heirloom to display would be a christening gown, special dress or outfit worn in their childhood.  Ask the parents-to-be for their baby pictures or photos from their childhood, these can be inexpensively framed and displayed on the buffet table or placed around the room.  Another great source for unusual one-of-a-kind items are antique stores.  Look for vintage toys that can be used as decorations or consider purchasing inexpensive mis-matched china and silverware for the buffet table.   A collection of vintage baby spoon, cups or rattles would look amazing hung on a small feather tree and displayed on a side table.

Consider creating a special gift for the mom-to-be, maybe a gift certificate to a wonderful spa for a massage and facial or a favorite beauty salon for a manicure or pedicure as a special way of pampering the new mother after the baby is born.      Another thoughtful gift is to purchase a beautiful photo album for all their baby’s photographs.  For the first page of the album, print the following words on special scrapbook paper.  “This special album is given with love today; a precious newborn will soon be on the way.  Create lots of memories and put the photos here to make each moment last; and soon your child will have a place to go to learn about their past.”

Don’t forget a gift for the father-to-be; he would appreciate being remembered during this time when the attention is on the mother-to-be and the new baby on the way.  Have the father-to-be arrive before the shower is over and present him with “A Daddy Emergency Kit”.  Use a container that can be closed, like a decorative box.  Then purchase the following items to put into the container and be sure to print and attach a humorous list of the contents.  Include the following:  a couple of disposable diapers, a small travel package of diaper wipes, a diaper cream or other ointment, a pair of disposable gloves and goggles for protection from flying objects, a face mask and clothespin for nose protection from unpleasant odors, tongs for soiled diaper removal and disposal, a baby washcloth, a couple of jars of baby food, a baby feeding spoon, a pacifier and a few small toys, and a couple of items for a change of clothing (t-shirt, onesie, socks)  These items are just some suggestions but be creative with the packaging and container contents.

Just remember the main purpose of a baby shower is to celebrate the upcoming birth with family and friends.  The other purpose is to provide the mother-to-be with the clothing and other items necessary for the baby’s first year.

Tips and suggestions for creating a great baby shower

1. Start the planning process early, this will allow time to brainstorm creative ideas for a very memorable baby shower.  Talk to the mom-to-be and find out the baby’s due date and if the baby’s gender is known, this information will set the party’s date and can inspire a general theme.
2. In regards to the baby shower theme, select a concept that reflects the parents-to-be interests or the baby’s gender.  Try to create a party that has a special and unique style and personalize the party decorations to fit the theme.
3. Create a beautiful space for the party, set a wonderful environment for the guests.  Consider renting table, chairs, linens, china and glassware, these items can be within budget and will add the perfect touch to a very special event.
4. If the party budget is small, check for items that you already own that can be used in creative ways to keep the cost down.  If you do need to purchase items for the party, be sure that they can be recycled for other uses later.
5. During the party, be sure to keep the guest-of-honor and the invited guests comfortable.  Provide delicious food and beverages with a place to sit and engage in conversation.  Room temperature, bathroom facilities and food allergies are important issues to take under consideration.  Create some activities that will give the opportunity for the guests to mingle and get to know each other.
6. Ask for help when planning the shower, family and friends can be a great source for ideas.  Use the computer as a wonderful resource, there are literally thousands of ideas for everything from the shower theme to decorations.  Don’t be timid on asking for help the day of the party, this is another time when extra people would be required to put up decorations, set out food, etc.