When you hear about a friend or a family member’s pregnancy, you become happy for them and congratulate them on the wonderful blessing they’ve received. Having a baby is certainly something to celebrate, which is why you also think of doing something fun for them—throw a baby shower! It’s an intimate party traditionally held for moms-to-be, to commemorate the blessing bestowed on her and her partner. Baby shower not only lets her have fun, but also allows her to receive gifts she can use when her little angel comes out.

Although baby showers are simpler and more intimate in nature compared to other parties, there are numerous details to take note of regarding this event. Baby shower planning is not as easy as you think it is, and if you don’t take care of all the details, your party might not be as good and successful as it should be.

Here are the things you should remember and attend to when doing your baby shower planning.

The Guest List

Before you start with the other party details, this is something you must accomplish first. The guest list can affect a lot of details regarding your party, including the budget, the theme the venue and the menu. By knowing who and how many are attending the shower, you can make your decisions regarding the different aspects of the party.

The guest list often consists of the couple or the mom-to-be’s closest friends and relatives, and sometimes her colleagues. The shower can have from 6 to 25 guests, sometimes even more. It all depends on who the mom-to-be wants to be there. That’s why when you make the guest list, consult the mom-to-be first before finalizing it. If the party’s a surprise for her, ask the dad-to-be.

The Budget

Another crucial factor for any baby shower is the budget to be used for it. You can’t plan this party if you have inadequate finances. Besides, a lot of party planning are also dependent on this factor. For example, if you have limited budget, the guest list would have to be trimmed down, and instead of renting a restaurant, you might have the party at home. If you think that you can’t shoulder all the baby shower expenses, one option you can turn to is to get a co-host. Not only will you get to split the costs, but you’ll also have someone to split the tasks with. (Tips on how to create a budget)

The Party Theme

A baby shower won’t be very fun without a theme! Deciding on a motif for the party is a very important consideration for any planner, since it affects various aspects of the party. A theme not only makes the party more enjoyable, but it also unifies the whole event. It sets the tone of the baby shower.

When deciding on a baby shower theme, make sure you take in consideration the mom-to-be’s preference. The theme should be enjoyable for her. You should also take note of the guests, and the shower theme should be enticing enough for them. (Why don’t you choose from these list of Top ten baby shower theme ideas)

Once you’ve settled on the theme, you can now decide on the different party details, including the invitations, the decorations and the party favors.

Baby Shower Date And Location

During the early course of your baby shower planning, it’s important for you to set the date of the event. By knowing when and where the shower will be held, you can inform the guests as early as possible. You can also estimate and budget the time you have remaining to prepare the event. The date and location depends on several factors, including the availability of the mom-to-be, the availability of the guests, the proximity of the location and when the mom’s due date is.

Usually, baby showers are held one or two months before the mom is scheduled to give birth. Set the date during these months, but make sure not to set it too close to the mom’s due.

Baby Shower Invitations

The invitations depend on the theme, and they can either be homemade or store-bought. As much as possible, these should contain the proper information regarding the party. Make sure to mention the mom-to-be’s name, the host’s name, the date, location and time, as well as the contact numbers for RSVP. Other important information, such as the where the mom is registered or what other items the guests need to bring, should also be stated on the invites.

Baby Shower Decorations

The venue would look shabby and tacky without any decorations, so make sure you take note of this factor when planning the shower. The decorations should mirror the theme of the event. They can be very elegant and costly, or they can be simple but cheerful. It depends on your budget and the theme you’ve chosen.

Popular baby shower decorations include banners, streamers, confetti and balloons. Actual baby items are also commonly used for decorations.

Baby Shower Menu

No baby shower would be complete without food to satisfy the guests’ appetite! It’s customary for baby showers to include snacks, whether they may be simple finger foods or filling meals. The menu depends on what time the shower is held, who the guests are, and the theme of the party. For example, if the party is held during the afternoon, tea and sweet pastries can be included in the menu. If it’s dinner time, then sumptuous dishes would be more appropriate.

It’s also common for baby shower planners to unify the food according to the theme they’ve chosen. For example, if it’s a rubber ducky party, one food items that can be served would be yummy cupcakes with frosted yellow duckies on top.

Baby Shower Program

It’s nice to have a well-sorted program during the shower, so the guests won’t be bored during the event. Here, you can decide what activities (such as the games, the snack time and the gift-opening) will be done and how they’ll be arranged during the party time.

Baby Shower Prizes And Party Favors

You can’t let the guests go home without goodies! Make sure you prepare prizes to award them when they play the games. These should be memorable but useful items. Party favors are also important. These keepsakes allow the guests to remember the fun time they had during the event.

Baby shower planning covers a lot of important details. Make sure you take care of these important aspects properly, so you’ll have a fun-filled event ahead of you. The mom-to-be and her guests would surely appreciate and enjoy this wonderful celebration!