Yay, your loved one is having a baby! And right now, you have mixed feelings. While you are excited because the baby’s due date keeps getting closer and closer, you are worried about trying to figure out how to plan a Baby Shower.
That’s understandable!
Planning a baby Shower on top of your regular responsibilities may be overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. The 7 essential steps that I discuss below will help you know what needs to be done and when. Plus, these steps can be applied to any type of baby shower.
Sounds good? Let’s start then…
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- Choose a Daycare: 5 Must-Know Tips for New Moms
Steps to Plan a Baby Shower
Normally, baby showers are planned for parents that are having their first baby while sprinkles {smaller baby showers} are used for parents that already have kids.
But nowadays, baby showers have been planned based on the situation, too. For example, a couple that already has a girl but is now having a boy, or vice versa. Or when there’s a big age gap between the kids {like it’s the case with my daughters}.
While working on these steps, keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers. The decisions should be based on the situation and the new parents’ taste and personalities.
Step 1 – Set a Budget
To plan a baby shower, you have to start with the most important step, setting a budget. This is because the rest of the steps will depend on the total dollar amount set up during this step.
When setting up the budget, you first need to think about the type of baby shower that you want to throw. What will make the most sense? Formal or informal? Fancy or something simpler? It all depends on what you have in mind.
After picturing the perfect baby shower, come up with an estimated amount to spend on the baby shower. Remember, each baby shower is different which means that each amount will vary. Things such as the type of baby shower and/or location may change your total costs dramatically. That being said, you need to come up with an amount that you feel comfortable with and that is reasonable.
Next, who will be responsible for the estimated amount you just calculated? If it’s you, then you are ready for step #2.
But, if you are working on a tight budget, you may want to look into other options like reaching out to other people for help. It is completely okay to do so. At one of my baby showers, the host paid for the main food while other guests paid for other expenses such as cake, drinks, plates, cups, napkins, and utensils. People love to help so don’t be afraid to ask.
Keep in mind that like any other budget, your total amount is an estimate of costs to help you reach your goal. In this case, your goal is to plan the perfect baby shower in your mind.
Step 2 – Create a Guest List
After setting up the budget, it will be easier for you to determine the number of guests to invite.
Who should you invite? Well, it all depends because there are two common approaches. The traditional baby shower where only women are invited or the co-ed baby shower where both women and men are equally invited. I have always preferred the co-ed option but that’s just me.
In recent years, other options have increased in popularity like the man shower, the grandma shower and the girl’s night out. But in this post, I will only focus on the two most common baby showers mentioned.
Think, who would the new parents love to see at their baby shower? At this point, just write the names that are coming to your mind. Don’t worry so much about creating a final guest list because your guest list will most likely change throughout the process.
While working on the guest list, don’t forget to include those that are out of town or even out of state.
Unless you are planning a surprise baby shower, it is always a good idea to review your guest list with the parent(s) to be. I remember a time when my baby shower host and I went over the guest list. I was glad we did it because we eliminated some of the names and added other people with whom I had stronger relationships with.
Step 3 – Choose Location, Date, and Time
Choose the location
So far you have a perfect baby shower in mind, you have set a budget, and you have created a guest list. Now, it’s time to choose the location!
Start narrowing down your options by choosing between an indoor or outdoor location. Take into consideration the baby’s due date and the weather since baby showers are normally given a few weeks before the baby’s due date.
It’s also important to think of the options for that type of location. For example, if you choose an indoor location, then some of your options could be a favorite restaurant, fancy hotel or a cozy home.
On the other hand, if you choose an outdoor location, then you may consider a big park, fun pool or a beautiful garden.
Set the Date
People tend to plan a baby shower four to six weeks before the baby’s due date. Four weeks and six weeks may sound about the same time. But, two weeks can make a difference, especially if you chose an outdoor location. Also remember, the baby’s due date is just an estimate which means that he/she can be born earlier!
Be sure to choose three possible dates for the baby shower, in case that the parents to be are not available on your first or even second option.
Also, consider the day of the week. For my last baby shower, it made more sense to do it on a weekday since all the guests were from work. But if you are planning a baby shower with family and friends, then it may be better to do it on a weekend when the majority are off of work.
Choose the best time
Baby showers normally last between 2 to 4 hours but it all depends on the baby shower. In my case, we couldn’t be away from our work areas for too long {even when I was working in Human Resources} so it was done during our regular lunch hour.
Also, when you calculate the length of the baby shower, set some time to:
- Chat – People want to talk to each other especially those coming from out of town
- Eat – Set aside some time for people to eat, too. If you don’t have much time left, you can always combine activities like eating while the honoree is opening the gifts.
- Open the baby shower gifts – An important part of the baby shower is the excitement when the new parents are opening the gifts. Therefore, setting a good amount of time for this is highly recommended.
What about holidays?
To me, planning a baby shower around a holiday can be good or bad. The disadvantage is that people normally go out of town especially for holidays like Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. But if that won’t be a problem for your guests, then you can get very creative while combining the holiday celebration with your baby shower theme.
Lastly, think about the season. For example, I can plan a beautiful baby shower at noon in the park here in Texas. However, the weather will be completely different if it is planned in July than if it is planned at the same time in November.
Step 4 – Theme for Baby Shower Decorations
If you already know the baby’s nursery decoration, then you are way ahead on this step because that’s exactly what you can use to decorate the baby shower. That’s what the host did for my last baby shower and I absolutely loved it!
If you haven’t heard about the baby’s room decoration, bring up that topic in your next conversation. And, if nothing has been decided yet, don’t worry…just keep reading.
There are three quick ways to choose a baby shower theme:
- The first one is to choose a theme based on the personalities of the parents-to-be. Think of something they like or collect. It could be Star Wars, zebras, or their favorite sports team.
- Another way is to go with a popular theme such as nautical, princesses, cars, or baby animals.
- The last option is to choose a general topic such as the tropical beach, garden, or sports.
Click here for the baby gift baskets available at my shop
Additional tip: Don’t feel bad if you still can’t think of a good theme. Here is an article with 65 of the best baby shower themes.
Step 5 – Invitations
Sending invitations is up to you and the type of baby shower. Using my last baby shower as an example, the host didn’t send out invitations. Instead, she used technology in her favor and sent out emails. It worked perfectly because it was an informal baby shower conducted at the company’s training room with co-workers as guests.
I suggest sending out invitations when you plan a baby shower with many guests or when the guests are coming from different places (e.g. different workplaces, cities, states)
The practice is to send out the invitations around 4 to 6 weeks in advance which gives the guests enough time to save the date and to make arrangements especially for those coming out of town or for those needing to hire a babysitter.
Before sending the invitations, revise your guest list one last time. Just to be sure that important guests were not left out. Then, find invitations that match the baby shower theme or are at least close enough.
Now, that you are ready to work on the invitations don’t forget to:
- include the baby shower date, starting and ending time plus the location
- add your contact information and ask people to RSVP
- share the baby shower theme and baby registry information, if available
Additional tip: While shopping for the invitations, keep an eye open for any thank you notes that match the invitations. The mom to be will love them.
Step 6 – Food and Drinks
To determine the food and drinks, it’s important that you think of the information already gathered especially the budget, location and time. As I mentioned earlier about my last baby shower, it was done during lunch time so the full meal was provided but it’s also common to see appetizers, finger food, and cake {or cupcakes for the new trend}.
If the location is not a restaurant, check out these yummy ideas of what you can provide. Keep in mind that having a potluck is an alternative too. Hosts coordinated a potluck for three of my baby showers and it worked great because we had a wider variety of food to choose from.
Step 7 – Create Lasting Memories
You can’t plan a baby shower without thinking of the lasting memories for the parents-to-be.
Even though for any new parent their baby showers are unforgettable, it’s important for them to have memories to share years to come with family members, friends, and even with the kids when they get older.
A professional photographer, videographer or both can always be hired but don’t feel obligated in doing so. Because if you plan a baby shower on a budget, it’s okay to look for other options. By asking around, you can probably find a friend or family member that can help you with it. I asked a couple of my coworkers to take pictures to make sure that I would have enough for my album.
Additional tip: After the baby shower, you can put a photo album together and give it to the new parents as a memory. I have created quick and cute photo albums with Shutterfly.
Bonus steps to plan a baby shower
I didn’t include the following as part of the essential steps since they are optional but they are still frequently included on the baby showers:
Baby Shower Games
If you want to entertain your guests with some games, consider the following factors:
- Time – Calculate the time that you have left after all your scheduled activities. In this way, you won’t waste your time planning all these games when you are already out of time.
- Location – Playing games inside a restaurant may be difficult due to lack of space but it can also be a challenge to play bingo in a windy park.
- Guests – Look for games that everybody can play at the same time and/or together. And don’t forget to choose games that are appropriate for all your guests.
Related resource: For ideas, check out my baby shower games Pinterest board.
Baby Shower Party Favors
This is your opportunity to be creative. You can either buy party favors or make them yourself. Just keep in mind the baby shower theme and come up with something cute, funny, or unique.
Related resource: Find inspirations at my baby shower party favors Pinterest board.
Final Thoughts
After going through the essential steps, you should have a better idea of how to plan a baby shower for your loved one. Most importantly, having a plan in hand makes you feel less overwhelmed, focus on what needs to be done, and save money.
Keep in mind that in this post I am only focusing on the essential steps but, you can add more things including music.
The budget is the limit!
Alright, it’s time for you to start planning. Don’t forget to download the free baby shower printables.
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The post 7 Steps on How to Plan a Baby Shower (Successfully!) appeared first on Mom Succeeds.
