Baby Shower Hosting 101

Are you ready to host the best baby shower ever but don't know where to start? Baby showers are fun, but planning one can be tedious. In this article we'll cover the basics to get you started.

So who should host the baby shower? Traditionally, only non-relatives are to host a baby shower -- co-workers, church groups, etc.; however, it has become more common and acceptable for mothers and sisters to host showers too. The important thing is that someone take the initiative to host the shower -- what a wonderful display of caring for a growing family and a special way to help welcome a new life into the world. It is also perfectly acceptable for more than one person to host a baby shower. It can be fun for a group of friends to share the responsibilities and excitement of planning and hosting this special event.

When it comes to inviting guests, you likely have some idea of those you want to invite to the shower, but it is always a safe bet to run the guest list by the mom-to-be to ensure you haven't left anyone out.

You can invite guests via a phone call or an e-mail (be sure they check their mail regularly!), but the written invitation is still the most preferable way to kick off a shower. You can even find baby shower ecard invitations online. Just do a simple search online and I'm sure you'll find one. No matter what type of invitation you use, be sure to include pertinent information -- whether it regards a theme, a note of where the mom-to-be has registered, a map or written directions to the shower, or any special item you want the guests to bring for the mom.

Showers are normally given a month or two before the mom's due date. It's a good idea to give the mom enough time following the shower to shop for items she didn't receive, yet wants to have before the baby arrives. And of course you don't want to hold the shower too close to baby's due date in case he or she makes an early arrival!

Baby showers are normally held in the home of the hostess. If desired though, you can certainly host a shower at a church fellowship area, a favorite restaurant, or even at a banquet hall -- it really all depends on what atmosphere you are looking for and how much money you want to spend. If the shower will be held in a restaurant, make reservations at least two weeks prior to the date. At one- week prior, one of the organizers should speak with the manager to confirm the details.

The shower should last around one and a half to two hours. Things may wind down early or they may likely continue on as guests chat together.

There are many variations on showers, but we have devised a general "schedule" for baby showers. You can add/remove any part and re-order it to your liking.

Greet Guests - serve light appetizers

After all or almost all guests have arrived, go around the room and have each guest introduce themselves and identify how they know the mother-to-be.

Play 2-4 Shower Games. It is good to play games at the beginning as ice-breakers. Remember some guests may not know *anyone* but the mother-to-be.

Let everyone go get whatever food may be available and then once everyone has been served, the mother-to-be can begin to open her gifts. Be sure to have someone write down each gift and who it is from. It will make sending thank-you notes a lot easier.

People chat and usually leave a few at a time. Make sure the mother-to-be gets to say goodbye to everyone and the hostess thanks the person for attending. If the hostess has shower favors, they should give this to the guest now.

For more information on hosting baby showers, visit http://www.danasgiftbasketexpress.com or send a blank email to babydiapercakes@sendfree.com for a Free Guide to Hosting the Perfect Baby Shower.

Dana Williams is the owner of Dana's Gift Basket Express, specializing in baby shower gifts for mom and baby. Looking for more ideas? Learn how to make your own baby shower favors and decorations, go to http://www.danasgiftbasketexpress.com .

---

Infant Circumcision

If circumcision were a choice I had to have made,... Read More

Infantile Cradle Cap - Symptoms and Treatments

What is cradle cap?What is the cause?No one really knows... Read More

Mobiles For Babies Can Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Mobiles are well known for its effectiveness in capturing and... Read More

Coping With Colic

A new baby with colic is one of the most... Read More

Important Safety and Styling Features of Baby Cribs

Baby Cribs are the feature item in any baby's nursery.... Read More

Baby Shower Invitation Wording

Your baby shower invitation wording can be either generic or... Read More

Child Safety in the Home

In the 15-year period from 1982 to 1996, the leading... Read More

Keeping Your New Baby Safe

After all the baby furniture is purchased, you'll have to... Read More

Learning Activities For Your Baby

Books and Babies - For babies from age 6 weeks... Read More

Baby Jaundice

Around 20% of newborn babies suffer from jaundice. The condition... Read More

Favorite Cake Flavors for Baby and Bridal Showers

A cake is an excellent treat at any party, especially... Read More

To Develop Your Childs Genius - Start with Your Unborn Baby

Research has shown that babies in their mom's womb can... Read More

Baby Shower Invitations Add Style To Baby Announcements

Baby shower invitations set the tone for the big dayBaby... Read More

Potty Training After a Divorce or Separation

Many parents share custody of their children, which presents a... Read More

Raising Baby On The Cheap

Have you ever read those reports on the cost of... Read More

A History of Baby Names

The history of names is so ancient that no one... Read More

Baby Massage: A Cure for Colic

Colic hurts. Any parent who has an affected child will... Read More

Gift Giving For Baby

Since they are you friends or relatives, chances are you... Read More

Babys First Days at Home

The moment that you have waited for has finally arrived:... Read More

Baby Dangers New Parents Need to Know About

This Spring many new parents will welcome new additions into... Read More

How to Pick the Best Name for Your Baby

Expectant parents spend hours preparing the nursery, poring over pregnancy... Read More

Theory of Child Cognitive Development

Jean Piaget has allowed us many insights into child cognitive... Read More

Baby Shower Gifts Are Not All The Same

When one talk about shower baby gifts, it is clear... Read More

Your Baby Nursery - Decorating a Fabulous and Functional Room

Decorating a baby nursery can be one of the most... Read More

How to Choose a Diaper Bag

Even though it's a popular shower gift, you may want... Read More

A Babys Sleeping Pattern

Sleeping..A newborn baby spends most of her time on two... Read More

Every Baby Shower Needs Great Baby Shower Games!

Games for a baby shower help the baby shower hostess... Read More

Baby Cold Symptoms and How to Treat Them

Remember how miserable you felt when you last had a... Read More

Childrens Backpack Safety and Comfort

One of the easiest and safest ways to carry your... Read More

Baby Yoga and Me

Having carried a sizable bump around for a very long,... Read More

Protecting Your Baby and Toddler from the Sun

Babies and young children have thinner and more delicate skin... Read More

Etiquette for Baby Shower

Etiquette for baby shower used to be quite rigid, but... Read More

When To Start Teaching Your Baby (1)

When is it that I should start teaching my baby?... Read More