Baby Shower Gift Planning - Ideas & Baby Shower Invitations Cards

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Baby shower gifts are a tradition dating back to the early 1900's where friends and family would throw a "shower" similar to how they would for a bridal shower - to "shower" the woman with gifts before her big day (marriage or having a baby). In the early days, the guests made most of the baby shower gifts. Umbrellas were a popular symbol of the event because the baby shower was traditionally an afternoon event and the guests would use the umbrella to stay out of the sun.

Today, if the Mommy-to-Be intends on registering, she should do so about a month before the baby shower. This allows the host to send the registration information along with the baby shower invitations. Modern day baby showers are much different and not just for tea. Baby shower gifts range from practical to outlandish. You should check to see where the Mommy-to-Be is registered for gifts before deciding the type baby shower gift to give. Here's some of the more popular baby shower gifts as well as some creative gifts to give the parents-to-be.

Clothing: Sleepers, receiving blanket, undershirts, diapers. socks and hats. make sure they are easy to change since too many buttons or snaps may be difficult for new parents to take on and off the baby. the Mommy-to-Be will need cute clothes to take the baby home from the hospital

Health & Grooming Products: Baby powder, lotion, baby wipes, desitin, q-tips, hydrogen peroxide (for the umbilical cord), baby safety pins, nail file, scissors, first aid kit, baby soaps and wash cloths, baby thermometer, diaper bag

Feeding: Bibs, bottles, bottle holders, baby formula, breast pump, nipples, bottle brush set, tipper cup, feeding spoon, baby burp towels, baby dishes and bathrobe

In the Bath Products: Towel with cute hood, wash cloths, baby lotion, shampoo, soap, baby brush and bath toys

In the Crib/Bassinet Items: Crib fitted sheets, comforter, bumper pads, mobile, crib trim, waterproof crib pads and blanket to swaddle the infant

For the Baby Room: Stuffed animals, cute pictures for the wall, gift certificate for a muralist to come out, dresser, changing table, cute initials of the baby on some type of ceramic item, picture frame, nursery lamp, furniture, boppy, bouncy seats and piggy bank

Toy Time: Teething toys, colorful play matt, black and white play matt, musical toys and plush / stuffed animals

Learning Time: Baby Bach Video, Baby Einstein CD's, classical music CD's, Disney movies, books for the parents, baby books, lamaze soft books and story books

For the Parents: Pamper the parents-to-be with a gift certificate to a spa, book store, record store, or a nice gift such as baby hand and foot imprinting plaster, Baby Bjorn or other baby carrier Coupons for babysitting

Here's some helpful hints for planning your baby shower gifts for the Mommy-to-Be and the Daddy-to-Be:

More Expensive but Practical Gifts: Stroller, bassinet, baby dresser, baby changing table, baby car seat, baby car seat attachment, high chair, baby swing, bouncy seat, sound monitor, video monitor, potty chair, diaper genie (container), safety gate, baby scale, breast pump, rocking chair.

Unique Gifts: Grow chart, gift for siblings, gift certificate for baby pictures, U.S. Saving Bonds for the baby, silver spoon or rattle and baby proofing the house

Baby Shower Coupons: For those that want to give their time for their gift and don't have much money, it is fun to be creative and make baby shower coupons for the parents such as " 2- Hour Babysitting", "Cook for the Mommy and Daddy two meals", etc. The parents to be will really appreciate this baby shower coupon gift book, especially for first time parents who appreciate the help

Gift of Saving a Life: A thoughtful baby shower gift is a gift certificate for a private CPR class for the mommy and daddy to be and a few of their selected family and friends who may become future babysitters

Diapers, Diapers and More Diapers: A great gift that seems to always running out for the Mommy-to-Be is to have everyone bring a few packages of diapers. New mommies never have enough in the house so getting diapers is a perfect baby shower gift

Useful Laundry Basket Idea: Instead of spending the money on a gift bag that is likely to get thrown away, use laundry basket, line it with a baby blanket and put the gift inside and cover with tissue paper or another blanket. Then the basket can be used for the extra laundry that will be added or for toy storage

Floating Ducky: Take a silver mini washtub and fill it with water and float a rubber duck in each one. Tie balloons to one of the handles. It's simple, but sweet. You can also place various baby shower related items next to the washtub, like shampoo, lotion and such

Laundry Basket Goods: Purchase a laundry basket, baby laundry detergent, you're favorite pre-wash, stain remover, wipes to go, and some fabric softener and place in the basket. You can arrange all these small items with tissue paper in the laundry basket, which will serve as you're gift basket

Baby Shower Baby Books: Have each baby shower guest bring a baby book for the new parents. Have each guest pre-write a sentiment or advice to the new parent's on the first page of each book which is a great memento to cherish for the baby growing up and the parents

Baby Plant / Tree: Buy a small tree that can be planted outside of the parents-to-be home. Tie baby items to the branches. The parent's to be can watch the tree and the baby grow at the same time. You can do the same thing with a small indoor plant

Fleece Baby Blanket: A fleece baby blanket is made by taking two pieces of fleece and putting them together, then cutting 3 in slits every 1 inch all the way around the blanket and tie knots to keep the pieces together. Then just roll the blanket up and tie it with a ribbon

Keepsake Box: Use a hatbox and add personal touches to the box by filling it in with onsies, clothes, pacifiers, bottles, wipes, diapers, etc. You can also include a pack of alphabet stickers so I could put the baby's name and birth date, weight and height on the box with the stickers once he/she is born

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Planning a Baby Shower

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Traditionally, baby showers were held a few months before the expectant mom's due date and were thrown by one of her closest friends. Guests were limited to the new mom and grandmothers and a group of female friends and relatives, and the baby shower was typically held at the home of the hostess. Today, the possibilities for planning a baby shower are endless.

Coed baby showers that involve both the mom and dad to be are becoming increasingly popular. If you plan to throw a coed baby shower, be sure to invite plenty of men besides the soon to be father and make the invitations, decorations, and overall theme of the shower suitable for both men and women. A casual, friendly get together with the new parents and plenty of food would probably be more appropriate than a traditional baby shower. You may even consider a coed baby shower barbecue.

Office baby showers are also quite common today. Coworkers of the expectant mom will often throw a small office shower before she takes her leave from work. Office baby showers for the dad are also becoming more popular in coed work environments. Office showers are usually very simple with a cake or light snacks and a brief time of giving gifts, but some office parties are planned away from work as a lunch party at a nearby restaurant or even after office hours in another location.

While office baby showers are excellent opportunities to surprise the mom to be, it is usually best to involve the new parents in choosing the time for the shower, as well as the guests to be invited, rather than plan a surprise shower. Many new parents register their gift preferences with a popular store to help their friends and family select gifts the baby needs, as well as items that match the nursery décor. This information can be included on the shower invitations.

The invitations should reflect the mood and atmosphere of the baby shower, as well as state the date, time, and location of the shower. Send out your invitations 2 to 3 weeks before the date of the shower to allow plenty of time for responses and for your guests to prepare for the event. You may wish to include registry information in the invitation, or you can relate the info when the guests respond if you have requested a reply.

The easiest way to plan a successful baby shower is to base the shower on a theme. The theme of the baby shower could be anything from a traditional pink stork party to a tropical luau get together. Themes can be simple or creative and unique, and can make the choice of refreshments, decorations, and even shower games and activities a much easier decision. Themed invitations for the baby shower make great keepsakes for the parents to be, as well as the guests.

The possibilities for baby shower themes are endless. A great theme for a short baby shower, like those often given at work, is a library building shower. Encourage guests to bring gifts for the new baby's book and music library, like books and Cds from the Baby Einstein collection, and serve coffee and pastries in a bookstore café fashion. You can find more fun baby shower themes, as well as decoration and game ideas here.

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