One of the most focal events in the life of two people is being told they are going to be parents. Nothing can compare with that emotion of happiness that rushes through the body when you told the news. Everyone experiences the same sense when they find out the news about the blessed event for the first time; that thrill of exhilaration combined with optimism for the future.
Whether you are preparing for the arrival of a boy, girl or twins, you can be sure your family and friends will plan to hold a baby shower for the new baby. What better means is there for first-time couples to receive some of the most required items for their nursery?
The first step to preparing a baby shower is to make a decision where and when to hold it. If you are looking to keep your out-of-pocket expenses down, then use one of these options:
• Your home
• A Friend's home
• Your Church
• A Community Hall
• A Picnic Shelter at a local Park
Once the venue is decided and confirmed for the planned party date, then it is time to decide on the guest list for the shower. After planning on who is coming, the next step to determine on what entertainment and food you should plan. First, will it be a surprise event? Will the new dad be invited? Will it a family bash?
More and more, baby festivities are becoming a family affair; especially when other children are already part of the family unit. Making the shower family oriented gives you a whole different set of options for holding a tremendous affair, yet keeping the affair's budget modest. One very effortless and usually customary way is to hold a Pot Luck where everyone brings their signature dish. A Pot Luck is appropriate for either a barbecue or a park picnic.
Having a family baby party, while eliminating some planning issues, does present others; like what kinds of games to have that everyone can play. This can easily be planned around with a little imaginative cunning. Have games everyone can play. Just be sure to have fitting prizes for any age winner.
• Egg on Spoon Race, or golf ball on the spoon
• 3-legged Sack Race – always a family favorite
• Ball Toss – Toss the ball at a target or through a hoop, closest one wins
• A Scavenger Hunt
• If you are at the park and the sand pit is large enough, hold a sand sculpting contest.
• Charades or Pictionary
• Guess the number of beans in a jar, or similar idea
Now that you have the place, date and time, who's coming, food and entertainment all organized, the next step is to choose decorations. I like to use a similar theme as the parents are using for nursery decor for the shower and invitations. I also advise giving gifts in the same theme to go well in the baby's room. If the baby shower is a surprise, be sure to include that on your invite. If you are having a family shower, then make a note to the adults that kids are not only invited, but are expected to be present. I also suggest that the host/hostess of the shower offer to keep a gift registry of which guest plans to bring what gift. This tiny gesture will be most appreciated by the new parents. Also when several guests cannot decide on what to buy, you will have the opening to suggest gifts or advise that one or two guests combine their funds. Invitations should be sent out at least 45-30 days prior to the shower date. Request RSVP's should be returned no later than 30 days before the event.
Decorations for the shower will be commonly decided by whether the baby shower is indoors or outdoors. Inside, you can use balloons, streamers and banners, as well has tablecloths and matching napkins and paper plate themes. Outside, you will probably want to keep the balloons, streamers, banners and tablecloths to a minimum in case it gets windy. However, a lot of tape can help keep everything in place.
One way to give a very practical gift yet have a spectacular centerpiece is to use either a diaper cake or a baby gift basket as your central decoration. Once the baby shower is over, the diaper cake or gift basket is a completely practical gift for the new mom and dad. Diaper cakes and baby gift baskets are a spectacular way to decorate as well as give as gifts. New parents adore receiving all the surprises each holds.
So now you have a fully prepared, inexpensive party that will be an event that your friends and family will recall for years to come. Good Luck!
Author: Kathy Barto, owner of http://www.FairyliciousDiaperCakes.com, where you can find amazing custom made diaper cakes and matching baby gift baskets in many Baby Shower themes at affordable prices.
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