Besides the birth of a baby, a baby shower is a joyous exceptional event that takes place in the life of a mother-to-be. Baby showers evoke images of women happily fussing over a pregnant mother and presenting extraordinary gifts to the unborn baby. If you are planning to hold a baby shower for someone you know or you have been invited to attend a baby shower, here are some tips to keep you on the right track, as well as some ideas to make the baby shower greater memorable.
Traditionally held by a at hand friend of the advances mother, baby showers are now also helped by relatives, neighbors or colleagues from work. The baby shower is normally held at the home of the host, and she would be the one to shoulder the expenses for the food and other items.
Ordinarily a baby shower would take place a month or two before the birth of the baby. Formal invitations are not required; however they lend a pleasant touch to a baby shower. Invitations need not be pricey. They could be handmade with store-bought stationery. Determine pastel colored invitations, write a little message and directions to the venue, and send them to the guests three weeks in advance.
A baby shower should be held during the weekends, as it would be most convenient for guests to attend. It could last two to three hours or even longer if everything is going well with the guests.
During a baby shower, guests would bring gifts for the baby. The most appropriate gifts are of course baby items such as baby clothing, booties, diapers, feeding bottles, bibs and baby blankets. Present gifts in neutral colors so that the gifts will be suitable for either a boy or a girl. These are everyday items that would be very useful. Having the baby shower before the birth of the baby will give ample time for the mother to buy the items that were not given as gifts during the baby shower.
The number of people to be invited of course depends largely on the venue. Sometimes a small number is invited before the birth while a larger group is accommodated after the birth of the baby. And remember there is nothing wrong in having a baby shower to celebrate subsequent babies. Baby showers are not only for the fundamental-borns, as every pregnancy is a reason to celebrate.
The host should pay specific attention to food and drink as well as conversation to ensure that everyone has a acceptable time. The host could have games to break the ice, but this is of course not cardinal.
Having a theme too would add greater life to the baby shower. The theme could be incorporated into the invitations, the food and drinks as well as the decorations. Again, decorations need not be lavish, just use your conception.
The host should always be present during the party and should be the one attending to the guests. She should be there to welcome guests when they arrive and thank them when they leave.
It would be pleasant if the host could provide a book for guests to write messages to the mother to be. Another alternative is to have tiny cards for guests to write the well wishes to the expecting mother. The cards could then be inserted into a select photo album together with photographs taken on that day as a certain memento for the mother.
Having a baby shower is a pleasant occurrence not only for the mother-to-be, but also for the host as well as the guests. A baby shower is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to share in the joy of the arrival of a distinct baby.
Coordination and Concern in Gift-Giving
In a baby shower, guests usually want to make the soon-to-be-mother happy. They can give her baby shower gifts like supplies and equipment that she might lack or that she cannot afford. It is thus recommended that guests coordinate with one another as to the gifts they will give to avoid unnecessary multiples.
Coordination among guests will also ensure that parents will get very important baby accessories like car seats, strollers, and changing tables. If it is possible, the party host should have a general idea of what each guest is to bring. Diapers, diaper bags, and feeding bottles are greatly appreciated, but having a roomful of them is not practical.
A mother, too, has to be given baby shower gifts. She will appreciate things meant to pamper her before and after delivery. For example, you can give gift certificates for spa and salon treatments, meals delivery, car service to take her to postnatal visits, and cleaning services. Remember that mothers deserve as much love and care as the babies they are nurturing in their wombs.
What you can Normally Give as Baby Shower Gifts
For baby supplies, you can give practical and useful things. If you are a parent, you would know about them, but if you are not, you can ask those with kids. You can give baby clothes in assorted sizes to enable wear from being an infant to a toddler; age-appropriate toys that aid baby's development; baby books including puzzle books for the baby and parenting books for the mother; and other baby supplies.
For baby accessories, you can bring a changing table, crib, car seat, stroller, baby carrier, and baby monitors. Again, try to coordinate with other guests so that the mother does not end up with three sets of everything but no baby supplies.
For both parents, the abovementioned gift certificates will be greatly appreciated. The transition from single adulthood to parenthood can be daunting; any gift that will ease the pangs and pains of having a newborn around the house is very thoughtful.
Want Truly Unique Baby Shower Gifts?
Of course, you might want to give unique gifts that reflect the equally unique personality of the mother. You can try thinking outside the box. You can give her lingerie and other feminine things to boost her spirits. Indeed, soon-to-be mothers can sometimes feel the doldrums because of their "bigness" and awkwardness. Giving her these gifts could make her feel womanly again. Or, how about the kama sutra? Now, that would be cause for conversation.
Whatever baby shower gifts you bring to the party, just remember that the happiness of the mother and her family is paramount now. The best gift you can give them is your loving support and concern for the health of both the baby and the mother. This cannot be equaled by even the most expensive gift in the world.
Both Hamza Davis & Mandie Klein are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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