Throwing Your First Baby Shower

Author: PamelaKazmierczak
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Most people in their life time have attended a baby shower. Many of us, including myself, have been fortunate to have one thrown for us. However, there is a big difference between going to one or being the women of the hour and throwing one. This is an article to cover the basics for anyone who is about to throw one and has no idea where to start.

The first question that comes to mind is who should throw the shower. Now traditionalists say that only friends of the mother to be should throw the party and that it is inappropriate for a family member to do so. If you are looking to be proper a family member should not throw the shower because some people may feel that action sends the message that the family is trying to illicit gifts. However, this is usually not the case and in today's world it is just as common for a parent or sibling to throw the party as it is for a close friend.

Now that we established that just about anyone close to the mother to be can throw the shower the next question is who should be invited. Unless this is a surprise shower, at some point the guest of honor should be consulted. When this is done the guest list should be something that is discussed. If the guest wants a more traditional shower which allows her to spend quality time with all the guests the list should be trimmed to fewer than 25 people. However, sometimes this is not feasible. What needs to be decided is who is invited. The type of people needs to be divided into groups. For instance family and close friends should make the list as well as the father's family and friends. However it needs to be decided if neighbors or co-workers will be included. This depends on the relationship as well as how large or small the shower will be. The mother to be should also be consulted on the final list as they may notice someone you forgot to include or a conflict on inviting two people to the same event that do not get along and may make her day less than relaxing.

Another thing to consider is whether or not you want to have traditional women only party or if this couple would prefer a more modern co-ed party. Parenting itself has become less about the mother and more about the parental unit and so some people are following suit when planning baby showers. If you decide to venture into co-ed land be sure to plan the party for both sexes. Translation: Lay off the pink. Whereas a traditional baby shower is full of pastel colors and pretty favors a co-ed is less like a shower and more like a party. You can still do baby themed decorations but you will need to alter activities, games, decorations and food choices to accommodate both sexes.

If the couple wants something modern but the woman still wants her own shower you may want to consider having a shower for the women and a party for the men, this would allow both partners to celebrate the upcoming birth in their own way.

The next thing that should be determined is when exactly this party will take place. A good time for the part is between the sixth and the seventh months. This will ensure that most likely the mother to be will not go into labor before than and after the party to expecting parents will have time to organize all their gifts, finish getting the nursery ready and be able to determine what they still need to purchase. Invitations should be sent at least 2-3 weeks in advance for in town guests and 4-6 weeks in advance for any out of town guests.

Now it is time to choose the invitations. The invitations can be of any design, but if the parents have chosen a theme for the nursery the invitations should follow that theme. The invitations should be sent out with the guest of honor's name, the hostesses name and number, the location, date, and time of the party, a date to RSVP by, a map to the shower as well as a list of any of the stores the parents may be registered at.

Now that all preparations have been completed it is time to look forward to the shower. A typical shower is 2 to 3 hours in length. The beginning is usually when the hostess and the guest of honor will thank each guest for coming. During the period of everyone's arrival is usually time for people to mingle. After everyone is there, there is usually some king of food either a sit down meal like a brunch or a variety of finger foods and desserts. After the food you may choose to play a couple of games. Finally, the guest of honor gets to open her presents. As the hostess besides providing the party and the food, you may also want to buy door prizes, prizes for the baby shower games and party favors.

Now you can start planning your own baby shower.