The baby is on the way in a few months and you have always wanted to throw baby shower for your best friend's first born, even though you are still quiet clueless about it. A baby shower is a party given to mothers to be so that they get all the things needed for their first born. Also, it can give emotional and a bit of financial support for the new parents. Baby showers need not be lavish and too formal. It's just about getting people who are close to the parents-to-be so that they get all the encouragements they need. So, thankfully you won't have to break your head or your piggy bank!

The first question to ask is who should host the gathering? In the past only non-related womenfolk hosted a baby shower, groups such as friends, co-workers and church cells. Time changes traditions and it is currently more common and acceptable for mothers, aunts, grandmothers and sisters to host showers too. Someone has to take the first step to host the shower and the person generally becomes the hostess. A baby shower is a wonderful display of showing love and caring for a growing family and specially helps to welcome a new life into the world. A baby shower can be hosted either individually or as a group; in fact it might be more fun and exciting for a group to share in the excitement and responsibilities of planning out and hosting this extra special event. This will help to alleviate some of the stress of planning should the burden of hosting be shouldered alone.

Before we get to these shower ideas, inviting the right crowd is also important. Make sure you inquire from the parents who they want to ask over. You don't want too many people or worst still those that the parents preferred you didn't invite. The internet has more to offer when it comes to electronic cards and requests. Just ensure that all the crucial information about the party is not left out

Planning for the date of the shower is crucial too. Never have it in the last trimester of pregnancy, during which the mother is most uncomfortable. Make room so that she can still source the things that both she and the baby needs.

The small token can be anything from uniquely carved soaps which are most economical, candy necklace and even bookmarks specially designed for each guests. You can include thank you notes in it and even the date of the shower. Another low cost item would be brownies or cupcakes individually wrapped with small thank you notes. What could be more delightful that this? Other than that uniquely packed pot pouries and bath salts can also make good reminder of the special event

A baby show need not take too long to carry out. It all depends on the visitors present. If they know each other well, they might want to stay longer.

Although there are many different variations on shower events, but a simple schedule for baby showers is shown here in this article which should be useful as a rough guideline. Any part can be added, removed and re-ordered to your personal tastes. Firstly as the host you should receive the arriving guests and greet them. It would be a good idea to serve some light snacks or finger foods. Once all or almost all guests have arrived, walk around the room and get each guest to introduce themselves briefly and identify how they know the mother-to-be. Play a few simple shower games at the beginning as ice-breakers many wonderful game ideas are available on the internet. You have to bear in mind that some of the guests may not know anyone else there other than the mother-to-be. Once this is over is over allow everyone go and eat the available food.

After games and snacks, when everyone is sitting down, its time for the parents to unwrap the presents. It is a good idea to note down who gave what to make it easier for the thank you notes afterward. The future mom should have the opportunity to bid farewell to everybody although not everyone will leave at the same time. The host or hostess can give shower souvenirs to the departing guests.