Timing is Everything
Before you start the planning, you need to think about the best time to hold the baby shower. Ideally, they need to be held 6-8 weeks before the baby is due, however, if the mother is having complications or other problems, you can bring it forward instead. You don’t want to leave it too late, or you run the risk of holding the baby shower in the delivery room which won’t be ideal. The length of the event should be between 2-4 hours, any shorter than that and it can feel rushed and not personal enough. Four hours is the maximum time you should aim for, as any longer will be taxing on the mother and drag it out for the guests.
Choose a Theme
Part of the baby shower event is choosing a fun theme for the party. Although the theme is technically the baby, it is nice to have another theme for the party, one that everyone will remember. Try to think of something that the mother-to-be likes and base the party around that. For example, if they like Disney, then perhaps a Mickey Mouse theme will be a nice touch. If you already know the sex of the baby, then you can have a girl or boy theme.
The Venue
Although most people have baby showers at the mother’s home, that doesn’t have to be the case. If the weather is nice, there is no reason you can’t have it in the garden or even on the beach. The only thing to remember is whether everyone can get to the venue, including the mother. If they are on bed rest or can’t move around too much, then you should keep it close to home.
Gifts
One of the best parts of a baby shower for the mother is the gifts she will get. These should all be centered around the baby or the mother and can also be tied into the theme. It is probably a good idea to ask people to say what gifts they will be bringing; this prevents two people bringing the same baby activity table to the party. You can arrange for the gifts to be presented at the same time during the baby shower, or everyone can give them as they arrive. It is often a good idea for the mother-to-be to open them later in the party.
For the mum-to-be and her friends, a baby shower is a perfect way to celebrate the imminent arrival of the new baby.