Hosting a baby shower is an exciting time for the new parents-to-be and their friends. It’s a time to celebrate, but it can also be stressful. There are so many details to think about, from food and drinks to games and activities, not to mention presents! In this blog post, we’ll explore seven ways you can make your next baby shower perfect for everyone involved!
Location
The first step in hosting the perfect baby shower is choosing a suitable location. You want a space that’s big enough to accommodate all of your guests but not so big that it feels overwhelming or impersonal. If you have the option, try to find a venue with both indoor and outdoor spaces, like a park or garden. This will give your guests plenty of room to spread out and enjoy themselves.
If you’re on a tight budget or don’t have access to a suitable venue, don’t worry! You can always host the shower at home. Just be sure to clear out enough space for everyone to gather comfortably. Additionally, consider hosting an indoor shower if you plan on holding the event during the winter or rainy seasons.
You should also think about transportation and parking at your location. If possible, try to find a spot that’s accessible by public transit; this will make it easier for guests without cars to attend!
Via Pexels
Food And Drinks
When planning your food and drinks, it’s essential to consider what kind of menu will fit the style of shower you’re holding. For example, if your event is casual, serving simple finger foods like chips & dip or mini sandwiches might be more appropriate than a sit-down meal. On the other hand, if formalities are expected (like at an afternoon tea), feel free to serve appetizers that require utensils! You can even go all out with tiered cake stands full of bite-sized desserts for guests to choose from.
Remember to have enough variety so no one feels left out. For example, vegetarians, vegans, or people with gluten and other allergies, should not get stuck eating only side dishes while everyone else enjoys entrees! If your shower is a potluck, be sure to let people know in advance so they can prepare accordingly.
Lastly, don’t forget about drinks! If you’re hosting at home, make it easy on yourself and serve tea or lemonade instead of attempting to provide every kind of alcohol imaginable. This will keep things simple while also allowing guests who are pregnant/allergic/non-drinkers etc., to feel included too.
Whatever menu style you choose for your baby shower, remember that the number one priority is making everyone feel welcome and appreciated!
Games And Activities
Games and activities are a great way to keep guests entertained, especially if the shower is scheduled for an extended period. But, if you’re not sure what games to play, here are some ideas:
Baby Name Game
Have guests write down a list of baby names (either boy or girl) and see who can come up with the most unique ones
Guess The Due Date
Give each guest a piece of paper with the month/year of birth listed on it. See who can guess the exact day that the parents-to-be are expecting their little one!
Diaper Race
This one is a lot of fun; divide guests into two teams, give each group a few diapers, and see who can put them on fastest (bonus points if they do it with their eyes closed!)
Memory Game
Make a list of 20 or so baby items and have guests take turns trying to remember as many as possible. The person with the most correct answers at the end wins!
Also, don’t forget about classic favorites like a baby shower piñata or a photo booth!
Decor
Decorating the shower space is another way to create a welcoming atmosphere for guests. Below are some tips on how you can decorate, depending on what kind of space you have access to:
If It’s Indoors
Drape white cloth over any windows or doors and tie back with light pink ribbon; this will instantly turn your venue into a baby girl wonderland! Add pastel-colored balloons above entryways as well to complete the look. You can also consider using flower petals around seating areas so that people feel welcome when they arrive at their seats.
For An Outdoor Event
Try hanging strings of fairy lights along trees/shrubs/garden walls; make sure there is enough shade for guests to take a break in if needed. Use large potted plants as decoration (or even better, put them somewhere that they can be used afterward as a gift for the parents-to-be) and scatter baby-themed items like rattles, booties, etc., around the space.
If you’re limited on space, try using wall decals or stickers to create a focal point. You could also hang garlands made of baby-related items like plush toys, ribbons, or lace. In addition, don’t forget to define your space with items like banners or balloons.
The last thing to consider is the lighting. This will depend on how much natural light you have access to, but if possible, try and create an atmosphere that feels warm and inviting, for example, lots of candles rather than cold and clinical, like overhead lights. If your get-together is outside, make sure there are places for guests to sit down as well!
Favors
Favors are a fun way to thank guests for attending the baby shower while also providing them with some mementos of the occasion. There is no one formula for coming up with perfect favors. Consider choosing something that you think would be useful or meaningful to each person who attends the baby shower! Here are just a few ideas:
Bath Bombs/Bubble Bars
These can double as decoration once they’re in their packaging and come in lots of different varieties, for example, lavender-scented ones, so there’s bound to be an option everyone will like; you could even make your own!
Aromatherapy Kit
Again, this is something that can be easily put together yourself with items from your local health store and makes for a nice personalized touch
Customized Print
Something like this could be framed or put in a photo album and is a great way to commemorate the baby shower. Guests can even write messages on it to remember the special day spent with friends and family
Ensure that all of the favors are wrapped up nicely and placed at each guest’s seat when they arrive. This will add to the overall effect of your decorations!
Via Pexels
Gifts
Assuming that you would like your guests to bring gifts for the baby, below are some ideas of what might be suitable:
– Baby clothes (e.g., booties, onesie, etc.); these always come in handy. But don’t forget about space fillers here as well! For example, something like a pacifier or rattle could come in handy when the baby arrives
– Breastfeeding supplies (e.g., nipple cream); this will help momma through those first few weeks after birth if she decides to breastfeed her little one
– Onesie with matching hat; these can double up as keepsakes later on down the line if they’re personalized with names and dates
– Personalized blanket; this is a great way to commemorate the birth of the baby and can be used by the child for years to come
– Rattles/teething rings; these are always a popular choice with babies and can help soothe them when they’re teething
– Soft toys; these can provide comfort to the baby, and as they get older, they’ll love playing with them and carrying them around with them
– Nursing pillows/swaddles; these are always a great help when it comes time to feed and are some of the most popular nursery essentials
As mentioned before, there is no one correct answer regarding what gifts to give new parents. So just use your best judgment!
Something For Mom And Dad To-Be
Even if you’re hosting this baby shower for a friend, make sure to put yourself in the mom and dad’s shoes. What gift could they really make use of? If there is something specific that they want/need (e.g., a coffee machine), don’t be afraid to ask them!
– A gift certificate to their favorite restaurant; not only is this a nice gesture, but it will provide them with some much-needed time off!
– A massage voucher; new parents are often very stressed, and having the chance for someone else to pamper them (and give momma’s feet a break) can be precisely what they need.
You could consider plenty of other things depending on your budget and preferences; just make sure whatever gift(s) you choose has meaning behind it/them. Remember, after all of the excitement surrounding pregnancy then bringing the baby home, sometimes finding themselves alone again isn’t easy. So try and make things a little bit easier for them!
In conclusion, hosting a baby shower is a great way to celebrate the upcoming arrival of a little one. There are plenty of things you can do to make it memorable, and hopefully, the tips provided in this post will give you some ideas!
Leave a Reply