baby-shower Archives

Are you responsible for hosting a baby shower? If so, then you want to pull this event off as a huge success to honor the mother-to-be. That’s a lot of pressure, but it can be even more stressful if it’s the first one you’ve ever done. When you learn everything you need to know, you’ll be able to handle it a lot easier.

7 Steps to Success

Is the prospect of hosting your first-ever baby shower overwhelming you? Manage the process by breaking it down into smaller steps you can tackle one at a time:

1. Choose the Date and Time: Most baby showers happen when the expecting mom is around seven months into her pregnancy. However, consult with her for what’s best for the guest of honor.

2. Set the Budget and Guest List: Have the guest of honor give you the full guest list with addresses and emails.

3. Pick the Venue: Based on the time of year and number of guests, you might do anything from an intimate backyard shower to reserving a restaurant space.

4. Send Invitations Out: Invitations should be sent out around six weeks in advance of the shower so people have time to RSVP, buy gifts, and get babysitters.

5. Plan the Decor and Menu: These details should be arranged about three weeks in advance.

6. Plot the Agenda: A great baby shower has a timeline that includes games, opening gifts, and eating and drinking.

7. Buy Baby Shower Favors: Parting gifts are simple ways to thank everyone for showing up.

If this process isn’t enough to make it all manageable, or you just feel like you still need help, then get it! CBS News points out that you can hire professional consultants to plan the whole thing for you!

Representing the Family

As a baby shower host, you might be the one to get hit with a lot of questions about what gifts people should get or bring. One thing that can make things really sweet for an expecting mom is the possibility of custom baby gifts. A custom gift might be something that is cherished not just for the first year but also beyond.

Anytime a little person comes into this world, you have the chance to show that growing family the support and love they deserve. Custom baby shower gifts highlight the extra care and thought that might mean a gift turns into a family keepsake. Of course, custom baby shower gifts can also be practical in nature, too, be it a blanket or nightlight.

Helping Guests Pick Baby Shower Gifts

While you shouldn’t and probably can’t make specific suggestions to every person, there are some guidelines you can use for advice that is helpful to them:

● Honor the Registry: This is a wish list that the future parents put together to fill their tastes, needs, and wants. Even if someone doesn’t want to get something off the registry or can’t, it can still be a great touchstone that helps gift givers understand what the parents are looking for.

● Remember the Gender: If the couple knows and has announced the gender, that can be a consideration regarding designs and colors. However, there are also neutral patterns and colors available when the gender is going to be a surprise.

● Consider the Season: When is the baby due? A winter child might be a chance for a personalized ornament, but a summer baby might need a cute sunhat or lightweight onesie.

● Be Pragmatic: Gift expecting parents something that might be useful for years into the future. Babies grow out of their clothes in just a few months.

Conclusion

If you’re wondering why an immediate family member isn’t hosting the baby shower, then you need to consider the nature of the event emphasizing gifts. It would just seem too self-serving. This is why the baby shower hosting responsibilities often fall on close friends, co-workers, aunts, cousins, or a sister-in-law. Regardless of your specific relationship with the mother-to-be, do what all you can do to give her the baby shower she deserves.

Being pregnant is one of the best, yet most difficult states a woman can be in. Therefore, it is our duty as her friends to try and be as supportive as we can, and help her through those times.

If you are unsure how best to support your friend during pregnancy, here are some useful tips.

Don’t be frank about childbirth

Whatever you do, do not tell her about your horror birth story, or the one that you heard from a friend. Birth is scary as is, and during pregnancy, women are fed with statistics, and information about what can go wrong with their baby, and the least they need is someone adding to their fear.

Stressing out a mom-to-be is not good for the baby, and you might even end up losing a friend if they do not want to hear the negative sides of the pregnancy.

Stick with the usual by telling her that it isn’t that scary, or that once she holds her baby, all the pain goes away.

Let them be naive

First time parents are always naive. They have no clue what’s in store for them, and better yet. They should wear their look through rose-colored glasses for as long as they can, and enjoy their pregnancy. If they tell you something like “How hard can babies be, anyway? They just eat and sleep.” you just smile and nod your head. If they compare having babies with having baby pets, do not hold it against them, and forget they ever said that when they have the baby.

Give her a complete maternity bag list

A maternity bag list is a little challenging to make if you have no idea what you need. Things like lip balm are not the first item to come to mind when packing for the hospital, but it is one of the most essential.

If you want to support your friend, make a detailed list of all the things they need, and write explanations for items that may not be as common.

Or better yet, go to that friend, and pack their bag with them. They will certainly appreciate your help, and not have to bend over to pack everything they need for the most important stay of their life.

Treat her before the baby comes

As a pregnant woman, you can’t do many things. So, those few things that are available are important. You can make her an appointment for a nice foot rub, or a face massage, something to soothe her and wipe away the stress.

Or you can treat her to some food tasting, or even some wine tasting if the doctor approves.

Take her shopping

One of the most exciting things you can do for your pregnant friend is taking her shopping! Buying all the cute baby clothes for her little one will inevitably make her day. Additionally, you will help her with choosing clothes that are necessary, and avoid piling up on the things that the baby will not even need, or will grow out of quickly.

It goes without saying – carry all the bags for her, and take her for a celebratory cake at the end of your shopping spree.

Plan the most amazing baby shower

Most first time moms don’t really know what they need for the baby, and a baby shower is a great help for that. You can invite all her friends that are already moms, and know what a new mom can use, and don’t forget to invite her mom, aunts, and grandmas.

Sit with your friend and ask her what she would like the theme to be, and don’t accept no for an answer. Most moms think they are being too much for wanting a baby shower, but if you cave and miss out on throwing one, she will regret it.

Get balloons, finger food, favorite snacks and ice cream, and make it a cheat day when all the cravings are totally fine, and she can enjoy it endlessly.

Having a pregnant friend means sharing all the great (and the not so great) moments with them. Hopefully, these tips helped you understand what kind of friend you need to be.

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About The Author

Jasmine Anderson is a Sydney based lifestyle blogger and a toddler mom, with a Fine Arts Bachelor’s degree. Expressing herself through different mediums is what keeps her spirit bright. She loves to spend quality time with her family, go thrifting, and spend just a little bit too much time on the internet. You can follow Jasmine on Twitter

Tag: baby-shower

How To Support A Pregnant Friend