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.