Baby Shower Party Ideas and Planning

Where would any planning be without a list!

I hope you find my ideas in the chronological list below a helpful guide to plan a Baby Shower from Invitations and Baby Shower games to clearing up afterwards. Visit our specific pages for ideas on Baby Shower Invitations, Themes and Games.

40 days
-Ask your friend and mother-to-be what date would suit her for a Baby Shower Party and start planning around six weeks before the baby shower. If you are arranging a surprise shower, make sure you arrange a convenient time and the right guests.

-Before you start - 'Know your limitations' - both of budget, location and money. We cannot all throw an "Oscar's night party"! Set the Baby Shower party on a scale that you will enjoy organising and everyone else should enjoy it as well. Do not invite stress!

-Choose a location - OK so that is probably going to be your house! But make sure you accommodate the needs of the party and not be overcrowded. Consider ease of access or parking. Reserve location if in a restaurant or hall.

-Select a suitable time of day and week for most of the guests. It's not much good if most potential guests are doing the 'school run' or the mother-to-be falls asleep for her daily nap'!

-Finalise the Guest List with the parents-to-be. Get phone numbers, mail and email addresses. Decide on whether the Baby Shower Party is going to be women only or mixed sexes. Are children coming? If so make arrangements (video upstairs?) and other ideas to amuse them.

-Set a sensible budget for how much the baby shower party will cost based on the number of guests, the food, the party favors and how many game prizes you will need.Recruit another friend to help share the cost (and provide recipe ideas) if it looks too expensive.

-Set a theme for the Baby Shower Party. Themes can really add to the occasion and be great fun.Choose a menu which should reflect your theme but also be appropriate for the time of day and the number of guests. Do not forget to find out any special dietary requirements of any guests. decide whether you can cope with the catering or recruit help from friends or outside caterers. Employ some help serving food and drinks if required. Arrange to hire or borrow more cutlery, crockery, glasses, linen, tables, chairs..etc.. as needed.

-Choose beverages. Obviously this depends on time of day and the type of party you want. Although a traditional non-alcoholic punch is usually best, there are certainly many guests who find parties easier with the help of a glass or two of alcohol! It also influences the types of Baby Shower games guests will be prepared to play with full gusto. As always, ensure drivers have no alcohol or organise Taxis.

28 days
-Send out the Invitations which can either be by a phone call, email or a formal printed invitations Do not forget to include Time, Date & location of party and your reply telephone and email addresses. Remember to include details of any games that need pre-organising.

14 days
-Plan all the Baby Shower Games that you want to play and make sure you buy the required items for them to work smoothly.

-Purchase and wrap up the required Favors and Prizes for games. Dont forget to buy your gift.

-Purchase everything you need for decorating the baby Shower Party room

-Buy some camera film and arrange a guest to take photos at the Baby Shower Party which will be a great memento of the occasion.

7 days
-Finalise numbers of guests and chase up anyone who has not replied (there's always one!)

-Clean the house (assuming party is at your home). Make sure bathrooms have special soaps and lotions.

-Make shopping list and buy ingredients for meal. Arrange seating plan or make sure there are is enough room for everyone to eat sitting down if you plan a buffet.

-Prepare any food that can be frozen. Arange to use a neighbour's freezer if you do not have enough space.

-Arrange someone to pick uo the mother-to-be so she can be totally relaxed. Also any other guests who need a lift.

1 day
-Decorate Baby Shower Party room. Consider lighting and music to set atmosphere.

-Ensure Food and beverages are all organised.

-Have a footstool and pillow handy for the mother-to-be's comfort.

Party Day
-Remember to get food out of the freezer on time!

-Be the perfect host so that the mother-to-be can relax. Introduce guests to each other. A good way to break the ice is to provide personalised name tags with notes like, 'I was a Mom's best friend in Year 8'. Keep your guests glasses full and offer finger food if planned

-Remember to enjoy yourself as well!

Next day
-Persuade some friends to help with the clearing up! or get contract cleaners in.

-Congratulate yourself on your ideas and for hosting a great Baby Shower Party