Baby Shower Checklist : Create the Perfect Party Favors for a Baby Shower

Assuming you have already decided what baby shower theme you are set on and which colors you love, creating the perfect baby shower favor should be fairly simple. All you have left to decide is what to actually give your guests.

Baby Shower Checklist : Create the Perfect Party Favors for a Baby Shower

There is a whole edible favor craze spreading right now and just about every bakery worth a grain of salt in town is more than willing to place a custom order and create something to follow your theme. For example, you may order baby shower cake pops, or chocolate dipped pretzels. These can even be elegantly wrapped in a cellophane wrapping of your color choice for an extra touch of decor at your shower. There are also numerous other edible favor creations that fit any baby shower splendidly. If this is something that is of interest to you than I strongly suggest you hunt online to see what's out there and contact at least a few local bakeries to get a better idea of what you might like.

Please keep in mind that this can get a little pricey but nonetheless, it is an option. Now, if you are wanting to save some of that money and something that is just as eye-catching and thoughtful consider going to your local party supply store and/ or dollar store. Believe it or not, the dollar store actually sells some of the same exact items that the party supply store does. You can buy your own assortment of candies and fill whatever containers, pouches, or bags you like. This comes out to be fairly inexpensive, and if accented with the appropriate colors and maybe even cute charms or tags, can be a wonderful way to accent your tabletops and your guests will love the originality.

Baby Shower Checklist : Create the Perfect Party Favors for a Baby Shower

If you would like to incorporate a place card holder into something that your guests can take home and use than you will want to spend a little more time brainstorming and probably focus more on your theme than just colors alone. For example, if your baby shower is nest or bird themed you can have miniature mini faux nests holding a beautifully printed an cut place card and whatever else you would like in it. This would definitely accent your baby shower the most and really bring out your theme.

All these great ideas are broad as to be able to conform to any type of person that is planning any typ of baby shower. Remember that for the most unique baby shower favors you will have to dig deeper and be more creative, but in the end all that matters is that you like them.

Baby Shower Checklist : Baby Shower Rules and Etiquette

Everyone enjoys a baby shower, from the creative games and activities to the gifts and refreshments. However, no one should ever feel obligated to bring a gift, and some may feel offended if you have more than one. So how do you please everyone?

Baby Shower Checklist : Baby Shower Rules and Etiquette

If you are a first time mom, it is common and helpful to have a baby shower. Here are some rules:

1. If no one throws you a baby shower, don't get offended. You and your mom or friend can plan one together. Ask if they'd like to help plan and then add them to the "Host/Hostess" slot on the baby shower.
2. Don't add your registries on the Baby Shower Invitations. This makes people feel obligated to buy you something. Instead, when someone calls to RSVP, you can mention your registries if they ask what you need, but be sure to tell them they aren't obligated to bring a gift.
3. It is typical to throw a baby shower one to two months before your expected due date. This allows for time for the mommy-to-be to return the items that are duplicates and organize the nursery from everything she was given.
4. Although many things have changed, in general men were not invited to showers except for the husband/partner toward the end to help open presents. Now, co-ed showers are starting to become more common. If you're looking for a traditional baby shower, only invite your girl friends and family.

Baby Shower Checklist : Baby Shower Rules and Etiquette

Second baby showers are becoming increasingly common, however sometimes they aren't necessary. Sometimes when second showers are acceptable are:

1. If your second baby is of the opposite gender than the first. Even if you bought gender neutral things before, you will still need clothes, diapers and wipes! You may not need the more expensive items such as bottles, swing and high chair, but if you didn't buy gender neutrally, you will need those items.
2. If there has been a considerable amount of time between the first and second (or third, etc.). After 5 years, most baby equipment, such as car seats, high chairs and baby beds are not recommended for use. Also, you may have gotten rid of your baby stuff from the previous baby, hand have to start from scratch again.
3. If this is your first baby with someone new. If you are remarried or in a new relationship than the last time you had a baby, it is acceptable to have a shower. For many reasons, but specifically for the new family members and friends to be able to participate.
4. If you are thrown a "necessity shower". Necessity showers are thrown if someone already has a little one, between one and three years old and has almost everything. Guests are invited to bring diapers, wipes and other necessities that run out and eat your money quickly.
5. If you are thrown a surprise shower. Surprise showers can be fun and come in all shapes and sizes. Some surprise showers are just for a few friends and family who want to get together to to gift small presents, and some showers can be themed, if the host/hostess has the time and energy to plan to do so.

Baby Shower Checklist : Finding Baby Shower Games

Trying to come up with good baby shower games for a party you're hosting? While there are many different kinds out there, you may have trouble finding games just right for the job. This is largely due to the unpredictability that goes with entertaining guests. Not all shower guests are receptive to the same kinds of games. What may be a smashing success at one baby shower may be greeted with a lukewarm response at another.

As is the case with games for other specific kinds of parties, you options for coming up with good games may be limited by the circumstances surrounding the shower you are planning. Your venue may not allow ample space for more action-oriented games, or it may be so big that it makes it difficult for you to keep track of the proceedings. You may have deviated from your carefully-planned party itinerary, and you only have a little time left for games. Or maybe you had a modest party budget with only a small amount left over for game supplies.

Baby Shower Checklist : Finding Baby Shower Games

By far, one of the biggest factors that play into the success or failure of many baby shower games is the audience you are working with. The fact is that some guests may take to party games better than others, for a variety of reasons. Even the best-laid party plans may be rendered useless if you have an uncooperative or passive crowd. Knowing your audience can save you a lot of grief not only with the games, but also with other areas in the baby shower planning process like the food and the party theme.

To find games that will work for your shower, it helps to get a rough idea of the kinds of guests expected to attend. For this you may opt to go over the guest list with the baby shower's guest of honor, or one of her close loved ones. Learn ahead of time if the baby shower is going to be attended by the expected mother's parents, cousins, childhood friends, college roommates or colleagues from work.

It is also important for you to take note of whether the baby shower guests all know each other or not. If they don't, you can make things less awkward by holding back on games that require heavy audience participation. Instead, you can opt for accessible icebreakers or conversation starters. These can help guests feel less intimidated when in a room full of strangers.

Baby Shower Checklist : Finding Baby Shower Games

Most baby shower games fall into several major categories. These include games that are action-oriented and those that require more guesswork. Action-heavy games work best for relatively young crowds, and may also be a good fit for co-ed baby showers. Less strenuous games like quizzes, trivia contests, memory games and guessing games are more ideal for older guests, in addition to the expectant mom herself.

It is important for you to keep your baby shower under control. To play it safe, you may opt to stick to having just two to three main games listed in the itinerary. This will help lessen the unease of guests who are not comfortable with the thought of party games. If you are dealing with a more energetic party crowd, however, you can have a few backup games waiting in the pipeline. To keep things simple for you planning-wise, your backup party games should be relatively cheap and simple to set up for your guests at the last minute.

Baby Shower Checklist : Make Your Baby Shower Livelier

Baby shower games and activities can significantly affect the outcome of the event. Yes, the execution and other details, such as the themes and foods, have a noticeable impact on the entire event but the games and activities can alter everyone's happiness and all over attitude towards the baby shower. Plus, these are usually the ones where the most memories are made out of which is why it is very important to plan fun games where everyone will surely enjoy their selves.

Some people think that having games in a baby shower is silly which is why they dismiss it as unnecessary. To them, simple activities are preferable over baby shower games because these people believe that such activities are more meaningful and relevant to the event. It is these people who strongly believe that the true meaning of having a baby shower is to show support to the mother because she is about to take on a new role that also entails a greater responsibility.

Baby Shower Checklist : Make Your Baby Shower Livelier

However, still having games in the program would still make the program better. Since most of the guests are not yet properly acquainted, having games can give way to letting every individual get familiar with one another. It can be the chance for them to start small talks and share laughter which in the end can lead to an over all great memory of the event and who wouldn't want that.

When planning for the games, it is still important to note everyone's preferences. This way, awkwardness and offenses would be prevented. The main goal of having such form of entertainment is to keep everyone happy and the entire event wonderful. To make sure that everything runs smoothly, it is ideal to introduce the games by starting off with simple activities which will covey the meaningfulness of the event. This way, people who prefer such won't be bothered when these activities are not included. It can also serve as the ice-breaker for everyone in the party before they start with the actual baby shower games where talking may really be required.

These meaningful activities may take place as the mom-to-be or the couple is opening the presents given to them by the guests. As they are opening those, guests can start making simple greeting cards, scrapbooks, and the like on their tables. Men may even start bonding over as they build gifts to the child like small wooden seats and tables as the women design the baby's clothing. Taking videos of greetings may also be done to add more memorabilia. There are a lot of other meaningful and useful activities people may do before starting the actual games.

Baby Shower Checklist : Make Your Baby Shower Livelier

When everyone's gears are up and running, the host may introduce the baby shower games. This way, people are already accustomed to mingling with one another so there will be less awkwardness when they start rubbing elbows as they play.

There is no definite formula on conducting a baby shower but it is important that its essence is retained while at the same time creating memories to keep. It has to be fun and lively because in the end, it is what everyone will remember.

Baby Shower Checklist : Making Your Own Trendy Baby Shower Invitation

There are many ways of making creative and colourful invitations. You can choose to make ones with small homemade crafts or you can use computer software. Photoshop is a good program for making well-designed baby shower invitations. To maximize Photoshop, you should know what kind of graphics and elements you want to include in your invite. Although you need to have a basic understanding, you do not need to be an expert to make creative ones.

Baby Shower Checklist : Making Your Own Trendy Baby Shower Invitation

To get started with your baby shower invite, create a new file. You can do this by navigating in the toolbar to "File" and "New". Your file should have accurate specifications to make sure they can be duplicated. This also ensures you can place at least four duplications on each page for printing. This can result to a high-quality baby shower invite.

Turn on the rulers to the page. This can help you make sure all the elements on the page are aligned properly. You can turn on the rulers by going to the toolbar and navigating to "View" and "Show rulers".

Before making a baby shower invitation, make sure you create a guide. You can create a guide by clicking and holding on the ruler and dragging down or over on to the page. Position the guides where text and images will start and end.

Baby Shower Checklist : Making Your Own Trendy Baby Shower Invitation

You can place images and text. Come up with a witty title or catchphrase. Research on what kind of theme your invite will carry. Make sure the colours do not clash with one another. To place a good title for your baby shower invite, click on the text box tool in the toolbar on the right side of the page. Move the cursor to the page and draw an outline of a rectangular box with the mouse. Type your choice of words. Place the rest of the text on the left-hand side of the page. Make as many text boxes as you need. Each text box should use a smaller font than the text included in the title.

Now, you can easily add an image. Make a picture box on the right side of the page. This begins at the same height as the text on the left sign. Go to "File" and "Place" to put an image inside the picture box. You can choose an image from a file where you have already saved a pre-chosen image.

- Select the arrow tool from the tool bar. Click and hold as you cover all of the elements on your baby shower invitation. Press Ctrl+G to gather all these individual elements into one converged image. You can then click on the image and press Ctrl+C to copy the complete image. Move the mouse to the bottom of the page and press Ctrl+V to paste it. Repeat this process to fit as many invitations on one page as you can. Afterwards you can print your invite.

If you want more baby shower invitations ideas, research on the web or look at different magazines. You can find many ideas on how to make good invitations. Better yet, you can purchase invitations from online invite makers. This can save you time from making your own.