Baby showers are now a bonafide part of the childbearing process in modern America.
They first became part of pop culture during the baby boom of the 1960s. They are typically planned to make sure that the mother-to-be and guests at the event have a fun time.
If it’s your first time attending or organizing a baby shower, you might have some anxiety concerning what to do. In this article, you’ll learn all the necessary “do’s and don’ts” for baby showers regardless of what side of the party you’re on.
What You Need to Know as a Baby Shower Organizer
Much like bridal showers, baby showers are supposed to be surprise celebrations for the mother-to-be. This is why they are traditionally organized by someone else who’s close to the family. However, in most cases, the mother-to-be chooses the baby shower organizer.
If you’ve been chosen to organize a baby shower, it’s usually a pointer to your close relationship with the expecting mother, rather than an acknowledgment of your event management skills.
These pointers will help you prepare for the baby shower:
● Start planning the baby shower as soon as possible: The role of the baby shower organizer is customarily assigned as soon as the mom knows she’s pregnant. Even though the shower may not happen until the third trimester, it’s always better to start planning early. The main advantage of early planning is that you can send out invites early enough to allow your guests to include the event in their schedule.
● Always keep the mother-to-be involved: Although they are traditionally surprise celebrations, the new norm is to keep the mother-to-be in the loop. The baby shower is primarily about her having a good time, so consulting her for her preferences is imperative.
● Schedule the baby shower timely: Opinions differ on when baby showers should be ideally held. Some people believe it’s better done in the last weeks of the mother-to-be&’s second trimester, while some others prefer much farther along into the third trimester. What everyone agrees on is that it happens when there&’s minimal chance of a surprise delivery. A good timeline is to make sure that the baby shower happens at least four weeks before the baby’s due date.
● Keep the circle small: Baby showers are typically attended by close friends and family. The more people you have at the event, the more difficult it is to manage. This also reduces the risk of inviting people that can potentially turn down the invitation. Consulting with the expecting mom can help you narrow down your list.
● Make your decorations simple: It’s inadvisable to go overboard on decorations for a baby shower. After all, they are small events and last for just a few hours. Use simple color schemes for your decoration. They are easier to set up and take down once you’re done. You can play with a variety of decorations outside of the regular blue for boys and pink for girls.
● Decide how gifts will be given: Creating a gift registry has the advantage of letting people get gifts that are unique and useful to the baby’s parents. However, some people disapprove of the idea because it makes the parents look greedy. If your guest list has a lot of people that feel that way, it’s better to let them go with their guts when buying gifts. On the subject of opening gifts in front of guests, we’d strongly advise against it.
People can feel insecure about having others scrutinize the gifts they got the mother-to-be, and that’s against the spirit of the party.
● Be careful about your game choices: Although games are routine at most baby showers, they aren’t a necessity. If you include games in your event lineup, make sure to leave out games that can be offensive to either the expectant mom or the guests.
● Drinks and food are a must: At the end of the day, a baby shower is still a party. Keep your guests entertained by serving them edibles during the shower. Make sure the meals and drinks are inclusive. That means no alcohol and deference for religious and cultural beliefs.
You can get creative with a baby shower by tinkering with some details. Co-ed showers are becoming more common, so that’s an option. You can also include having a girls’ day out where the mom-to-be can have a relaxing time with friends.
What You Need to Know as a Baby Shower Guest
When attending a baby shower as a guest, your role is markedly different and comes with its expectations. Below are some tips to help you navigate the baby shower successfully:
● Show up: Getting an invite to a baby shower signifies that the mother-to-be sees you as an important person in her life. Attending the baby shower is the first step in showing appreciation. If you aren’t chanced to attend, you should send a message informing both the host and the expectant mom.
● No plus-ones: Unless you’re told to, you should avoid bringing extras to the party, including your partner. Baby showers are a closed celebration with close friends. Having other people present may feel like an awkward intrusion.
● You should bring a gift: Gift-giving at baby showers is more of a function of custom than responsibility. If you already have information about the gender of the baby, you can buy gender-specific gifts. If the baby is expected to be a girl, getting newborn baby girl clothes will be perceived as very thoughtful. Although it’s not customary, you can get a small gift for the expectant mother to appreciate her.
● Participate in the shower: There’s no point in being part of a party if you don’t socialize and meet people. Participating in the party’s activities will make the event more enjoyable for you and other attendees.
The Bottom Line
Baby showers can be fun and memorable experiences when executed correctly. They can help calm the anxiety of the parents as they approach the baby’s due date. Always remember that the shower is about the mom-to-be and her soon-to-be-born baby.
