Baby Shower, Ideas, Themes and Party Information Revealed
No one is quite sure when and where the first baby shower actually happened; chances are some girls wanted to give an expectant friend some gifts and decided to do it together over tea and sandwiches, and the baby shower was born. But all these years later, some women find that they have grown tired of the same old boring baby shower ideas when it comes to games and decor, and are looking for something fresh and interesting. If this is you, then you're in luck! We've compiled a list of some very creative and unique baby shower ideas that you are free to steal and use for yourself; don't worry, we won't tell!
One of the best things you can do for planning a shower is to pick a theme or tone. This will give you a foundation for all your other baby shower ideas, as everything will revolve around that theme and your shower will look very professional and pulled together.
Baby Shower Table of Contents
- Some Rules of Etiquette About Baby Showers
- More Baby Shower Ideas and Gifts
- Easy Ideas for Baby Shower Food
- Baby Shower Games
- More Baby Shower Gifts . . .
- Some Unique Baby Shower Themes
- Baby Shower Rules
- Here's a Peak At What's in Store For You When Planning a Baby Shower
- How to Plan the BEST Baby Shower Ever!
- Baby Shower Photos & Ideas
- Learn More about Baby Care
- Baby Shower Gossip & Guestbook
Some Rules of Etiquette About Baby Showers
You may know that there are many common rules of etiquette when it comes to baby showers, and you may be confused about what they mean for you and the friend or family member that is expecting a baby. Who should host and who shouldn't, and when are baby showers inappropriate for someone? And when can you set aside these rules of etiquette and not worry about offending someone?It's good to remember that all etiquette exists just so that we remember to take other people's feelings into consideration in all situations. Etiquette dictates that you write thank-you notes for gifts so that people feel appreciated for their time and cost in selecting an item for you, and demands that expectant women never hostess their own baby showers so they don't look as if they're demanding gifts from others. And when it comes to other questions about hosting such a shower, why do etiquette experts frown upon another family member being a hostess? Typically this is for the same reason - you don't want to seem as if you're demanding gifts for your daughter or sister or family as a whole. Baby showers should be a gift that someone gives you, not something that you pressure other people into giving.
What about for a second child? Typically baby showers aren't given for any but the first child, as it's usually assumed that a family has the things they need already, or can usually better afford them. Having another shower can seem like asking for a handout. However, there may be some exceptions. For example, what if this child is many years after the last one? The family may have gotten rid of all their baby items. Also, some mothers may truly need some new items and may be in a bad way financially, and her friends and family are happy to help out. In cases such as this, those considering hosting such baby showers may choose to ignore these stringent rules of etiquette, and if all those invited don't object, then why not? Sometimes you need to set aside these hard and fast rules in favor of what is practical and preferred among your own personal friends and family members.
Some may also question how many baby showers an expectant mother should have. Of course there is no hard and fast answer to this, but you may want to consider the feelings of your friends and family in this regard. How do you think many of your relatives will feel if they're invited to shower after shower? They may feel very hard pressed to continuously bring gifts for the mother. However, some don't mind and actually enjoy meeting all the expectant mother's friends. There may also be baby showers among different groups of friends - one for the girls at work, one for the girls you know at church, one for your college sorority sisters, and so on. As long as you're being considerate of others, you'll be fine with all the etiquette rules about baby showers.
Learn More about Baby Showers
More Baby Shower Ideas and Gifts
There are literally thousands of baby shower gifts you could choose form out there, so these gifts are just a small sample of what you could give to the expectant mother at her baby shower party.
Babyprints Keepsake Kit - Black Frame
Amazon Price: $31.95 (as of 08/30/2008)
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Bundle of Joy Baby Basket
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 08/30/2008)
My Baby Shower! (Record Keeper Photo Albums)
Amazon Price: $9.59 (as of 08/30/2008)
Summer Infant Newborn-Toddler Bath Center & Shower -Pink
Amazon Price: $35.71 (as of 08/30/2008)
Photo and Footprint Baby Book - Blue
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 08/30/2008)
Easy Ideas for Baby Shower Food
Planning a baby shower can be a fun task, even though it may also be an exhausting one! Most women who find themselves planning this event are actually very happy and excited to do so, but can find themselves a little bit overwhelmed with all the details. If you're looking for some ways to make it easier on you, we have some tips to remember about providing the right baby shower food for your guests.>> Catering
When people think of having a caterer provide their baby shower food, they may immediately get overwhelmed and assume this means some pricey option of a fancy plated dinner with waiters in white gloves. In reality, many family style restaurants also cater, or provide take-out orders that would be perfect for your event. Try your favorite chicken restaurant or Mexican restaurant, and just ask them if they have a catering menu. Usually they have several different options of buffets that include a main dish and two side dishes, and some beverages, all of which would be perfect for your baby shower food. Think about local restaurants where you eat a lot or where you have lunch during the week. Most of these are usually less than ten dollars per person, so they work out very well.
>>Supermarket Options
Many people forget that the deli section of their favorite supermarket can typically provide all sorts of options that are perfect for your baby shower food. You can typically get lunch meats and assorted breads or pre-made sandwiches. Many also include all the other items you'll need such as relish, mayonnaise, mustard, and so on. This is what makes them such a great option for baby shower food - they're conveniently located and include all the details!
>>Making it Yourself
If you decide to make the food yourself or do a potluck option for your baby shower food, don't get overwhelmed with a big meal. Keep it simple and don't refuse any help that's offered either. Make a list of all the things you'll need, including side dishes, desserts, beverages, along with plates, forks, cups, and so on, and check things off as you have people volunteer to provide them. Remember that baby shower food doesn't need to be anything fancy; a nice baked ham or something you can put in a slow cooker will be more than enough for your guests.
>>Lighter Fare
Remember that a shower doesn't need to actually include a meal. Some choose a weekday evening to host the baby shower; food can include just desserts and coffee, or appetizers such as vegetables and dip or cheese and crackers. Or have a variety of both - finger foods with a nice cake or small assortment of cakes. This type of option works especially well when your group is a small one and the shower is an informal and casual affair.
Whatever your choice, keep your baby shower food simple and the menu affordable so that you don't too overwhelmed and forget to enjoy the party yourself!
Baby Shower Games
Learn More about Planning Baby Shower Games
click Here to find out more about Successful Baby Shower Games
More Baby Shower Gifts . . .
Even more wonderful baby gifts to choose from.
Baby 4-1-1 Baby Shower Game; NEW to Shower Games
Not just for baby showers...geat gift/game for the more...1 point
Sony Nursery Baby Monitors
How's your baby? Even the most responsible and lov more...0 points
Tiny Love Symphony-in-Motion Mobile- Farm Yard
The Tiny Love Symphony-in-Motion Farmyard Mobile i more...0 points
BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Original - City Black
Take your baby with you wherever you go: the Origi more...0 points
Fisher-Price Rainforest Melodies & Lights Deluxe Gym
Repositionable toys include a soft hanging monkey, more...0 points
Babyprints Keepsake Kit - Black Frame
With the Babyprints kit, you can create and beauti more...0 points
Finally! An impression kit that can be created without the complications of other keepsake and craft kits. Babyprints requires absolutely no mixing, no baking, no painting, and produc...
0 points
Dr. Brown's Sterilizer Gift Set
Get a new parent started on the Dr. Brown's system more...0 points
Graco SnugRider Infant Car Seat Stroller Frame
The only infant stroller frame engineered exclusi more...0 points
The only infant stroller frame engineered exclusively for the top rated Graco Snugride. One hand compact fold. 2 parent cup holders. Extra large storage basket. Height adjustable handle for mom and dad. Infant car seat locks in for secure fit. Automatic storage latch. Front swivel wheels with brake locks and suspension. Weighs 12.87 lbs. To use only with Graco Snug Ride (sold separately). Ages birth and up.
0 points
BornFree Gift Set
BornFree? Bisphenol-A Free plastic bottles, comple more...0 points
Kiddopotamus & Co Microfleece SwaddleMe® Sage - Small
Swaddling Soothes Newborns and Reduces Symptoms of more...0 points
Infantino Shopping Cart Cover - Blue Flowers
Baby shopping cart covers are a wonderful to prote more...0 points
Diaper Dekor Plus Diaper Disposal System
This is the simplest diaper disposal system on the more...0 points
100% Organic Cotton Veggie Toys With Crate
Veggie Toys by Under the Nile are fun and hands-on more...0 points
Ballerina Baby Socks by Trumpette
Six Pairs of Ballerina Socks in Six Colors That Co more...0 points
Cloud b Baby Lavender Lab with 3 Spill Cloths - Natural
A set of 3 cream spill cloths/burp cloths in 100% more...0 points
Playtex Premium Nurser Newborn Gift Set
The Playtex Premium Nurser Newborn Gift Set meets more...0 points
5 Pack Ultra "All-In-One" Cloth Diaper Variety Pack - Infant Size
Reusable cloth diapers mean no more disposables th more...0 points
Prince Lionheart Dresser Top Diaper Depot
Expert diaper changing begins here. The Diaper Dep more...0 points
BebeSounds Deluxe Prenatal Gift Set
Prenatal Gift Set - BebeSounds prenatal gift set- more...0 points
Some Unique Baby Shower Themes
Many women absolutely love the idea of planning a baby shower and don't view it as a chore but as a labor of love, and a fun way to express her artistic side as well. If this sounds like you, then you may be on the hunt for some fun and unique baby shower themes. Well, we're here to help! This article will give you some very basic but enjoyable themes that you can incorporate into your shower planning.You may already be familiar with the baby shower themes that revolve around the typical "baby stuff." This would include teddy bears, rubber ducks, rabbits, and so forth. But to really spruce things up, choose some baby toys or items that are not so typically used. This might be the little red wagon for boys. Use a wagon to hold all the gifts, and have plastic versions as centerpieces. Use bold red streamers as decorations. You might have a shower that works itself around Legos - use assembled kits for centerpieces and scatter some loose ones along the buffet table. Other baby shower themes that incorporate certain toys might include baby blocks. You can buy empty boxes and wrap them with white paper and then decorate them to look like blocks for a unique centerpiece. Small blocks can easily be found at dollar and discount stores. You can stack these as well for centerpieces; use a small bit of tape between them so they don't topple over.
Sometimes you can find your inspiration for baby shower themes at the toy store itself, or even at a discount or dollar store. Maybe you see a collection of children's beach toys and decide to use those, or hula hoops make you think of the 1950's as a theme.
Other unique baby shower themes might get away from the entire baby idea and celebrate the mother as a person. If she's a career woman, what does she do for a living? Or, what are her hobbies and passions? If she loves the outdoors, you can have an autumn or beach theme. If she loves art, use art brushes in jars as centerpieces, and put up small easels with reproductions of famous prints as your decorations. Baby shower themes can also celebrate her heritage; if she's Asian, have an Asian inspired shower. If she's French, decorate with small reproductions of the Eiffel Tower or books of Monet's artwork.
Other baby shower themes may just revolve around flowers or springtime. Have small pots or tin pails filled with silk or even real flowers as decorations. Or choose the expectant mother's favorite colors or color scheme and just have a neutral shower that used just these colors. Often you can find plates and utensils that match decorations and centerpieces, all of the same color scheme or design. By keeping an open mind and realizing that baby shower themes don't necessarily need to be all about a baby, you can find unique and amazing ideas all around you!
Baby Shower Theme Ideas
Baby Shower Rules
Here's a Peak At What's in Store For You When Planning a Baby Shower
** One of the BIGGEST mistakes you can make as the planner of a baby shower is to plan a "surprise!" shower without first consulting the time-tested rules -- before you even THINK about making that shower an unannounced surprise one, make sure that you've educated yourself on these vital Dos and Dont's well beforehand - else your well-meaning intentions could spoil into emotional havoc for the mother-to-be! ** As the planner of the baby shower, there's no doubt that you'll also be responsible for organizing the guest list and invitations -- at first, this may seem like a trivial matter, but take it from a veteran shower planner: When family, friends of family, and hundreds (or possibly thousands) of others have to be invited, one wrong move can turn this treasured moment into a disaster for all involved! But if you let my strategies revealed be your guide, you won't run into a single hitch, even if the ENTIRE family tree will be showing up!
** A simple but essential question that constantly runs through the mind of a baby shower planner is, "WHEN?!" Picking a date that satisfies the mother-to-be and her guests has long been feared as one of the trickiest steps in the shower planning process, but if you follow the steps I reveal, you won't have one BIT of trouble picking the "Perfect Date!"
** Also, don't miss the one day during the year you should NEVER even think about holding a shower on! (HINT: It's not even a national holiday! I think you'll be quite surprised at this one!)
** Deciding WHERE to throw a shower is just AS important as picking the perfect date, so if you have any reservations at all about choosing a venue that's big or small enough to accommodate everyone, as well as the perfect balance of scenic beauty and appropriate ambiance, then you OWE it to yourself as a responsible planner to put these tips unveiled to use!
** Refreshments and entertainment are two essential components of a baby shower -- after all, besides the baby him/herself, they're what the shower is all about! But if you're stuck for new ideas when it comes to feeding your guests and keeping them in merry spirits, these strikingly original and effective ideas for refreshments and entertainment are a sure-fire way to inject LIFE into your party!
** Chances are, if you're planning a baby shower with modern themes and traditions, then the future mom will need YOUR assistance when it comes to writing a gift registration list to be distributed to guests -- this daunting, detrimental process is made ridiculously EASY if you take my word and include the 14 most common "gift-list" items craved by expecting mothers!
** Arm yourself with the 7 gems of knowledge that you MUST be familiar with to successfully make an accurate invitation list that includes everyone desired by the mother-to-be and not a person more, and find out how to tell if kids will or won't be a major no-no as guests. Also, discover why sending out e-mail invitations could be the biggest slip-up of your career (and how to tell when they really ARE the way to go!)
** If you're scratching your head in constant frustration with choosing the right venue, then I'll reveal the 10 most common venues with UNBEATABLE reputations as the BEST locations for baby showers. Not only that, you'll be pleased to know they WON'T break your budget, and I'll address every other aspect of the location-hunting process, from the secrets to preparing mouth-watering and inexpensive food settings to decorations, furniture choices and parking arrangements.
** Plus, I tell you EXACTLY what you need to when the weather decides to "shower" on your outdoor baby shower!
** And for a one-stop resource for all your food preparation solutions, regardless of if your shower will be hosted by a restaurant, catered by an outside party, or even if you decide to utilize one of 5 deliciously original Pot-Luck themes; and find out how to instantly choose a mouth-watering dessert that is not only pleasant to the tastes of every guest in attendance, but also flattering to the mother-to-be and to the shower's "distinguished guest" -- the baby
Cick Here to Learn Even More Now!
How to Plan the BEST Baby Shower Ever!
Discover How To Plan, Prepare for and Host the BEST Baby Shower EVER!"No Matter HOW Much You Doubt Your Ability to Organize & Pull Off a Fantastic and Memorable Baby Shower (One That'll Stick With You, Your Family and Your Friends For the Rest Of Your Lives)... I Promise That Even If You Use JUST ONE of the Many Techniques in this Book, or Use JUST ONE of Many Secrets Blurted Out by the Elite Hosts and Hostesses... It'll Be Worth Your Time Listening To Me For The Next Couple Of Minutes!"
How To Plan The BEST Baby Shower EVER!
Baby Shower Photos & Ideas
Baby Shower Cupcakes
Baby Shower Cupcakes
Baby Shower Cupcakes
Baby Shower Cupcakes
Baby Shower Cupcakes
Baby Shower Cupcakes
Baby Shower Cupcakes
Baby Shower Cupcakes
Baby Shower Cupcakes
Baby Shower Cupcakes
Learn More about Baby Care
Baby Shower Gossip & Guestbook
Thanks for visiting our Baby Shower Planning Lens :)
Please feel free to leave your own comments and ideas all about babies, baby showers or pregancy tips and tricks.
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lilbabycakes
hey, great articles, very interesting information. I see your point about having a surprise baby shower, it doesn't seem like the best idea. Posted August 08, 2008 |
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osumiss
A fun way to learn about taking care of a newborn is by playing Baby 4-1-1. It is referred to mostly as a Baby Shower Game, but it is basically a trivia game that is FUN to play. It can be played anytime and not just at the baby shower. We played it with 20 ladies at our shower and it worked great! Posted June 14, 2008 |
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herbie66
Your lens would be a great addition to the 'Pregnancy and Baby' Group Posted June 12, 2008 |
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scorpiowoman
Thanks for the great gift ideas. Posted May 28, 2008 |
