Baby showers are parties thrown for friends that are pregnant. This practice has significantly changed over the course of the years and has slowly become more and more elaborate and planned.
Baby showers can make an expectant mother feel more secure in the knowledge that her pals are all pulling for her and offering moral and financial support. Typically the baby shower is organized by non-relatives.
Inviting the Guests
Who should you invite? More often than not, the guest list will only consist of those nearest and dearest to the expectant mother. It wouldn’t hurt if she gets a first look at the guest list so that she can advise who should be invited. If you are setting up a surprise baby shower, you will have to do a little research on who ought to be attending instead of running the list past the expectant mother.
If the baby is not a firstborn, you could choose to keep the number of guests down to the closest to the mother. Firstborn baby showers are likely to have a bigger guest list because it is, after all, the mother’s first time.
The thing to remember is that the nature of baby showers is closeness. So, for any baby shower party, try making the gathering one of intimate friends.
You could use informal methods to invite these guests: email, phone and others. Invitation cards and other letters are the best method, however, as they offer a tangible, traceable confirmation of invitation. Plus, it is the most sure and formal way to invite a person – and in many cultures – the only way.
What About the Guys
The nature of the party is probably going to be inclined towards the female side; if the organizers of the party have a provision for this, then inviting men would be okay. It also depends on the men, since the party may stay on topics such as having a baby, children, and other maternal topics, they might not be that excited to join up. All in all, it depends on the preference of the organizers.
Venue
Anywhere! As long as it can keep with the easygoing and enjoyable character of the occasion, any place would be fine. The more common places on baby shower lists are backyards, formal halls, dining places, and essentially any room that has the amenities to make a baby shower successful. Just make sure the venue is not crowded and stressful to the mother-to-be. It also pays to make sure the venue is set long ahead of the actual baby shower happens.
When to Throw a Baby Shower
Typically this is one or two months prior to her due date. The baby shower is the ideal time to get your friend newborn needs and stuff she might not have had time to purchase yet. It has to be well-timed though – not too close to the due date, and not to far as to whittle down the excitement.
Baby showers are a lovely surprise to expecting mothers. It takes a lot of the stress of expecting a child off of their minds and provides a way for friends to demonstrate support and concern (and of course, baby gifts) to expecting friends.
A correctly coordinated baby shower will be really appreciated and forever remembered by mothers long after they have delivered their children.
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