Home: Baby shower :: baby shower, baby party

Planning to Have Fun at a Baby Shower

One of the happiest occasions in the life of an expecting mother – and more often nowadays, the father – is the baby shower. Not only is it a time to share in the parents’ anticipation of their newest child, but it is also usually a time to help them prepare for the coming of their baby, although in some cases, the baby party is held after the infant has been born. In any case, it’s a time for celebration that needs proper planning so that things go off without a hitch.

It used to be that baby showers were held only to welcome the arrival of the first child. But nowadays, it has become more common to hold an individual baby shower for each child after the first one. It’s no surprise to realize that perhaps the part that the parent enjoys the most is when she opens the gifts. So if you are invited to go to a baby party, make sure to bring a gift. It doesn’t matter if you bring a practical or a sentimental gift; but try to make sure that the gift you do bring will appeal to the parent and make him or her want to use it. A practical gift idea would be a diaper cake; this is a collection of baby supplies like bath accessories, diapers, and feeding bottles – all arranged in tiers or layers to resemble a cake. A more unique and special gift idea would be something that is personalized, such as monogrammed towels or baby clothing (if the parents have already decided on a name, that is). If not, you can give a personalized cake, something with a design that goes with the theme of the baby party.

Speaking of themes, planners of baby showers – which can be friends or family members – would do well to consider an overall motif for the party. This would make it a lot easier to coordinate the designs and colors of the party invitations and party favors. There are many themes to choose from: cartoons, literary characters, folkloric figures, religious symbols. Once a theme has been decided on, make sure that the invitations, decorations, and favors don’t clash with the theme for a seamless and memorable experience. The planner should know the expecting parents well enough to be able to tailor the details of the party to their preferences.

Baby party planners shouldn’t forget to include games in their plans. Games make great ice breakers: they help the guests feel more comfortable with each other. Plus, they can really bring a lot of laughter to baby showers. Materials for games need not be expensive; in fact, they can be free. Some game ideas include having each guest bring a baby picture of themselves for a guessing game, or have a number of baby dolls and diapers on hand and see which guest is able to wear a diaper correctly on the doll in the shortest amount of time.

Having a baby shower is a fun experience for the parents-to-be, organizers, and the guests. With a little planning and foresight – and a lot of laughter – it won’t be a boring experience and it will leave emotional as well as practical benefits to the grateful mom and dad.