Baby Shower Ideas

A baby shower is basically a celebration in which parents that are expecting a child receive gifts for the child they are expecting or even a child which is already born. A baby shower is intended, by convention, to help parents get items that they need for their baby, such as baby clothes.

Traditionally, a baby shower is held only for the expectant mother, and only women are guests. A baby shower is a wonderful way for friends and family to show their happiness, celebrate the wonderful news and prepare for the baby's arrival.

The baby shower is usually held during the last four to six weeks of a pregnancy during the final stages of the baby’s development and the most anticipated time for the expectant mother. Baby showers are traditionally held at a home, restaurant or church.

Baby Shower Themes

Baby showers, like bridal showers and bachelorette parties, are becoming open to new ideas, concepts, themes, games, and changes in etiquette.   If the parents are planning a nursery for the baby, the shower can revolve around the nursery's theme.   Otherwise, the color theme can be based on the gender of the new baby.   Your baby shower can also focus on a miniature, or baby-sized, theme.   Baby shower themes can be as general as Noah ’  s   Ark,  teddy bears, or storks.

Invitations for Baby Showers

Invitations to a shower are half the fun. Invitations should be sent 4-6 weeks prior to the shower.

Pre-printed invitations can be purchased at stationary stores, card shops, on the internet and can even be found at discount stores. If you are the creative type, you can make the invitations yourself.

Before any invitations are sent out (or any phone calls or emails made or sent), be sure to run the guest list by the mother-to-be.   With the guest list established, you can get started on sending out the baby shower invitations.   While paper invitations are often still used, there are services popping up on the Internet that will, for free or a fee, send invitations to your list of invitees.

Baby Shower Games

It is common for the host to provide baby-themed games during the shower to get guests laughing and to break the ice. Having crafts or playing baby shower games is preferred at many showers and enjoyed by partygoers. There is no “set” number of baby shower games that need to be played although at most baby showers, 2 or 3 games are played, most guests become bored if too many are offered.

There are a large variety of games to play, including, word find, visual games such as naming what the babies of certain animals are called. Word scramble games are also popular. If you can't find a game you like on the internet, you can always make up one on your own, there are endless possiblities to make your shower more enjoyable for guests.

It may be better to not include games at the shower since games are not enjoyed by everyone. You should definitely avoid games if the mother-to-be is not a game lover. You may not need games if the people attending the party already know each other. If you do play games, prizes and/ or favors are commonly provided to guests.

Favors

Favors also show your love and appreciation for your guests in helping you celebrate the little one's arrival.  In some areas, it is common to give small gifts to the guest which are known as party favors. Baby shower favors are a wonderful way to let guests remember the special celebration.  Planning favors for the baby shower is also a fun and exciting task.  A great theme can tie everything together for a seamless event and can help with your selection of decorations or favors.  Adding the baby's name or mother-to-be's name and shower date give the favors an extra personal touch.

A baby shower is a wonderful occasion to welcome a new life into the world and a new member into the family.