Baby Shower Checklist : The Right Social Manners For Baby Showers

Baby showers have become extremely common and are one particular custom that virtually all mothers-to-be from pretty much all nations around the world exercise. They are not only about offering gifts, but also a social affair. It is for this purpose that some social manners need to be observed. These manners may differ based upon on your country's traditions but the following ones are the most popular.

Baby Shower Checklist : The Right Social Manners For Baby Showers

1. The most effective time to throw a baby shower is at some point prior to the birth. They are generally organized a month or two before the birth of the baby. Lately, some individuals have started having the baby shower a month or two following the birth. Throwing the bash prior to the birth of the baby will give the mother enough time to purchase the things that were not presented as gift items in the course of the baby shower.
2. It is usually the custom for a close friend of the new mom to throw the baby bash but family members and colleagues can also host the celebration.
3. Baby showers are not only for first-born babies but also for future newborns. There is absolutely nothing inappropriate to throw a baby shower for upcoming babies because each and every pregnancy is a cause for celebration.
4. It is simply appropriate to offer baby related gifts. Impartial colors should be chosen for gift items so that it will connect to either a boy or girl. It is most effective to select gifts that can be beneficial and that a baby will require on a daily basis such as diapers, feeding bottles, bibs and baby blankets.
5. It is acceptable for the organizer to have some game activities to break the ice but it is not that necessary. The things that are mostly essential are conversations, interactions, food and drinks. Having a guestbook where family and friends can write their notes and messages to the new mom might be an awesome idea too.
6. Twenty or more people are generally invited but this may vary depending on the amount of people that can be accommodated in the location of the party. In some cases, they do a small celebration for a small number of people ahead of the birth and a more substantial one for a larger group soon after the baby is born.
7. A baby shower is commonly organized during the weekend due to the fact that it is the most hassle-free time for the guests and would ordinarily last two to three hours. If everything is going well then the time may be prolonged.
8. The particular person who is hosting the party will need to bear the costs on food and other items.
9. The shower is preferably done at the property or home of the individual hosting the event. Considering that pregnant women are not fit for surprises at any cost, the new mum will need to be well informed beforehand.
10. Getting a specific party invitation card printed out is not really needed. The party planner can acquire invitations or greeting cards with baby designs in book shops. It is best to mail out the invites at the very least three weeks in advance of the party. This will give the invitees sufficient time to RSVP. Do not forget to include things like the directions to the venue.
11. A theme is not that important but it does help to light up the party. Putting on fancy dress outfits and beautifying the place will also give a joyful and celebrating ambiance.
12. It is also good etiquette to welcome visitors when they arrive and to say thanks to them when they depart. The host must constantly be present throughout the gathering and ought to be the one taking care the guests.

Baby Shower Checklist : Handmade Baby Shower Ideas for Girls

A baby shower is an exciting time for the mother-to-be, as well as for her friends and family. Handmade gifts, decorations and favors help add a unique and personal touch to this special event, and can easily be customized to suit an arriving baby girl. With a few simple and creative ideas, you can make handmade crafts that all the guests will treasure and that honor the mother-to-be.

Baby Shower Checklist : Handmade Baby Shower Ideas for Girls

Baby Shower Checklist : Tins or Baby Bottles Filled with Pink Candy

Tins or baby bottles filled with candy can make cute and charming shower favors, as well as decoration to celebrate the birth of a baby girl.

Purchase tins or baby bottles from a craft store and fill them with pink colored candy. Decorate the tins or baby bottles with ribbons or small baby charms. Place the filled baby bottles or tins onto every place at each table so that every guest can take one home. Personalize them by adding custom labels to each favor.

Baby Shower Checklist : Pink Candle Favors

Handmade pink candles make pretty favors idea for a shower. These feminine candles can be used as decoration during the party before being presented as baby shower favors for the guests after the fun.

Purchase pink pillar candles and paper or silk flowers from a craft store. Measure around the candles and the flowers and decide how much space you want between each flower. Mark out lightly on the candle where you want the flowers to be, before securing the flowers around the candle using jeweled pins or brads.

Baby Shower Checklist : Baby Shower Gift Baskets

A baby shower gift basket designed for a girl can be made for decoration or as a gift for the mother and father.

Find a suitable container, such as a wicker basket, storage box, gift box or tote bag. Line the container with a blanket, soft towel or tissue paper and fill either with baby necessities, including a soft toy and keepsake, or things just for the mother-to-be, such as gourmet food or a pampering kit. Decorate by tying pink ribbon around the handles of the container and adding a pink helium balloon for a finishing touch. Alternatively, wrap your filled container up in cellophane, twist it to close and tie with a pink ribbon and bow.

Baby Shower Checklist : Handmade Centerpiece Ideas

Adorning each table at the shower with handmade centerpieces adds a unique and personal touch to the party. If the shower has a theme, try to incorporate it into the centerpiece decorations.

Make lollipops from pink washcloths, sticks and cellophane and place in a small container filled with pink candy. The lollipops and candy container can be put in the center of the table and offered as cute favors if desired. Fresh flowers placed in clear vases that are filled with sliced fruit are unique and simple baby shower centerpiece ideas to make by hand. You could even create edible centerpieces with containers filled with pink candy, pink cupcakes displayed in a tower or a fruit bouquet made with fresh fruit on skewers in a vase.

Throw a baby shower can be costly, when prices begin to accumulate. However, almost all commonly purchased for a baby shower favors to invitations to decorations, can also be handmade. Call your girlfriends over to help work on your crafts baby shower, and save your money for diapers and formula, you will need later.

Baby Shower Checklist : Unique Invitations For Baby Showers

A baby shower is a unique occasion in the life of a pregnant woman which she enjoys with her good friends prior to the birth. Invitations are supposed to set the ambiance and make this event unforgettable to everyone present.

This normally takes place a month or 2 before the birth and creating the appropriate invitation can be just as demanding as organizing the whole celebration.

For the invitations to be unique, it is better to select a style and design yourself than to buy custom made ones at the local card boutique. Normally the host is a very dear friend of the mother, so it might be a good idea if she can discuss with her and other family members as to what sort of theme would be suitable for the occasion.

Once all the suggestions are in and the theme has been chosen, the host will now know what type of invitation to make and what it will look like.

Baby Shower Checklist : Unique Invitations For Baby Showers

A star which would showcase the foreseeable future would be a great theme if it's a girl. The host can design an invitation into a star and include the nursery rhyme "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on the inside.

For a boy, you could have a cowboy theme. An invitation can be designed with a cartoon personality in the cover and other specific information within.

Seasonal invitations can also be created. The perfect theme for a summer shower could be one that includes a lot of ice cream, so the invitation can be designed as an ice cream.

All these invitations will need to include the name of the particular person to be invited, the venue, the contact number of the host and if applicable, the baby's gender.

They should be sent out about a month and half before the actual party, so as to give the guests adequate time to make arrangements for that day and to decide on the appropriate gift idea.

Babies are adorable, smell good, can be quiet and also the noisiest at times. These are all aspects of the developing stages. There are different concepts and themes one can consider to make the invitation an excellent sneak peek of what is to transpire throughout the celebration. All it takes is some good preparation and a little creative thinking to make this baby shower a successful and unforgettable one.

Baby Shower Checklist : Unique Invitations For Baby Showers

The host can do the organizing by herself or discuss with close friends in selecting the perfect invitation then have it specially designed and printed by a professional. Other specifics such as the food, the gifts registry, and the rewards for the games and activities that are to take place should be fairly simple.

A professional party planner can be called in to help only in the event that help is really needed. The host can locate these people in the local community, the yellow book, or on the internet.

One can definitely obtain value for money for this unique occasion by evaluating the packages and fees of the different companies that offer these services.

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.