How to Organize Your Friends Baby Shower

If you have a friend who is pregnant, then one of the highlights before the birth for them and their friends will be the baby shower. It is a great time for you all to get together and have a good time while pampering the mum-to-be and eating cake. If the job of organizing the baby shower has fallen upon you, then here are a few tips to help you make it a success.

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.

The Golden Rules of Dressing for Fancy Dress Parties

Some people absolutely love fancy dress, while others don’t find it any way nearly as endearing of prospect. However, whether you love it or not there are a number of ways that you can increase your chances of looking great dressed up in fancy dress.

Whether you’re a wallflower or absolutely love being the center of attention these tips will ensure you look fantastic dressed up on all occasions.

Effort

Making an effort is the first rule of successful fancy dress and if you make a half attempt you will be far less likely to look great in fancy dress – it’s that simple. Going to the pound shop and purchasing some horns is not going to cut it if the party is a proper fancy dress. Be a little creative and make a costume of some sort, alternatively why not try a fancy dress store if you don’t have the time – Red Star Fancy Dress offer some cool ready-made costumes.

Plan

By planning your costume well in advance you will be far more likely to look great. Too many people tend to avoid planning and then end up with an issue in the last minute. Often people claim they won’t dress up, losing their nerve before the party and having to either stress or go as something lackluster. Don’t be that person and plan well in advance.

Confidence

Be confident in what you’re wearing and enjoy yourself. Fancy dress parties aren't about looking good – they’re about having fun and being a little silly. Remember this and you will be fine.

Cliché

Try and avoid the clichés as they tend to look unimaginative and unspectacular. So, if you’re a girl try not to be that ‘sexy cat’.

Obvious

However, clichés aside, try not to be too left field as people won’t get who you are. The more mainstream you are, the more people will get it. Being a little obscure and mistaken for someone you’re not can cause problems on the big night – so our advice is if people thing you’re someone else, just go with it.

The People

Certain parties will see certain sorts of people attend them. So, if you’re at a party with your friends and they’re all quite geeky you will be able to get away with things that other people wouldn't be able to get away with. However, if it’s more mainstream then it’s a lot better come as something more center field.

Fun

Fancy dress parties are fun, that’s the point they exist. So, let people know that you’re fun and you will be far more likely to see them have fun and dance with you. If you come across as someone who is not very exciting and not a lot of fun, then this will come across to others and you just wont enjoy the occasion nearly as much. Fancy dress parties are about being silly and this should be seen in your attitude.

Group

If you can, dress up as a group – it’s a sure fire way to earn extra fancy dress bonus points.

Follow these tips and you can be sure that you will look great and most importantly enjoy your next fancy dress party.