baby shower etiquette
Qing Gu asked:


Proper baby shower etiquette can lend fun and joy to baby shower party. You can have lots of fun at the party by implying a little knowledge and some baby shower planning . Everyone is sure to enjoy the event and carry lovely memories after a wonderful celebration.

The traditional rule with a baby shower is that anyone can throw it except for the couple that are having the baby.

The proper baby shower etiquette says that someone who is not related to the couple should throw the baby shower. The reason for this is that it won’t look as though the family are asking for gifts. But this isn’t necessarily true and we don’t always follow tradition anymore. It should be that anyone who is close to you and willing to plan your baby shower should do so.

It is good to do baby shower planning prior to the birth of the child. Hosting a baby shower after the arrival of the baby would not be so much of fun without the pot belly mother. The best time for planning a baby shower would be somewhere between seventh and the ninth month when the mother has a big round belly. Take care not to plan the party just before the due date, in case the baby arrives sooner than expected.

On the other hand a baby shower party in the first few months would not be as exciting without the bulging belly.

Before any invitations are sent out, the mom-to-be needs to decide on a day that would suit her and also go through the guest list to make sure that no one has been left out. If it is for a second or third baby, the guests would normally just be close friends and family.

Normally, for any baby shower, it is just women who are invited. Though men were not normally invited, but it was quite common for the man to show at the end of the party to help his wife with the presents. Now days, it seems that it is fine for men to a part of the baby shower.

Baby showers are quite commonly held at country clubs, parks, restaurants, bars or any other place where people are able to get together. It is, however, a bit more personal and more comfortable if it is held in someone’s house.

It is only fair that the person who is organizing or hosting the baby shower should pay for it. It should be considered as a gift to the mom-to-be. The rest of the gifts should be practical. As a baby shower could work out quite pricey, multiple people could throw the baby shower, which then helps with splitting the costs.

During a baby shower planning take a pick from the menu depending upon the tastes. You can choose finger foods, starters, candies or arrange complete meal at some fancy restaurant. Light snacks have bid a good bye while planning a baby shower since a long time. Buffet with cold beverages, coffee, wine and other drinks are more popular choices these days.

Also, the cake still holds its importance at such parties and is included in party etiquette. I hope you’ve learned a lot from the baby shower etiquette above. Just remember that in the end it is all meant for having fun, so have a ball!

Nov
23
Filed Under (Newborn & Baby) by Nick
baby shower games
Varun Thakur asked:


tiny_mce_markero you’re holding a baby shower? Then you will need baby shower games to keep the guests entertained. While the baby shower is a good time to pamper the mom-to-be and make her feel very special there are also a number of guests that need to be kept happy for the duration of the event. Our focus here is on baby shower games, since these are always the most memorable part of any baby shower.

Baby shower games can be both silly and entertaining by overall they should be plain old fun. Some are intended to embarrass the mom-to-be, but others can really be fun and may even teach the guests something or visit www.baby-care-book.com. The promise of a prize, even something token like, always adds to the enjoyment too.

Games can be a great way to get guests to mingle at a shower especially if they don’t know each other and it is also a great ice breaker. Here are some ideas for choosing the right baby shower games:

In the planning stages of the baby shower, be sure to discuss potential game ideas with the mom-to-be. She may have some definite dislikes when it comes to baby shower games, and since it’s her day, you want to be sure to plan something she’ll enjoy and be very comfortable with.

Plan the first baby shower game for early in the party because it can make for a great icebreaker, so try to schedule it for just after everyone arrives but just before the main food courses and gift opening.

Pick a game that is connected to your theme. Whatever your decorating and food plans, you can tie it all together with a well-chosen game in the same theme.

Prepare in advance. If your game requires writing, be sure you’ve gathered up enough pens and pencils beforehand. And the same thing goes for other objects: have it all ready to go so guests don’t have to wait.

Choose creative but inexpensive prizes as token items for guests. The fun of the game should be in the playing, but it’s nice to have a prize and enters a little competitive spirit. Take pictures during the baby shower game. They make great additions to a mom’s scrapbook and as a long term keepsake for the baby.

Choose easy Games.

Games should be easy to explain and easy to play. Anything confusing or difficult takes all the fun out of it and people get bored before the game even begins.

So now that you know how to plan for the shower games, here are some of the more popular shower games for you to incorporate into your event:

Guessing the Baby Food - Remove the labels from a few jars of baby food after marking the lids by numbers. Make a list of the contents of each jar. Each person has to taste the food and try to guess what it is - pear, potato, custard, beef etc. Let everyone write down the number from the jar and what they think is in it. The person with the most correct guesses wins the game!

The Tray Game - Place a number of baby items on a tray. (Usually about 15-20). Slowly circle the room allowing each guest a chance to examine the items. Remove the tray from the room and see who can remember the most items on a paper in 2 minutes. Usually the items on the tray go to the expectant mom and the winner gets a small prize.

Guess the Girth - Check with the guest of honor in advance on this one. All you need is a ball or two of string. Ask guests to cut a length of string that they think will stretch around the future mom’s belly. After everyone has had a turn, the mother-to-be measures and cuts a string that fits her belly. Compare her string to all the guests’ pieces of string. The person who was closest wins a small prize. This is a great icebreaker and always good for some laughs.

Baby Picture Match Game - In advance, ask all the guests for pictures of themselves as babies. Assemble the photos on a pin up board and assign a number to each photo. At some point during the shower, pass out sheets of paper to the guests so they can match each baby to the appropriate grown-up. If the guests don’t know each other well, name tags can help the process. The person who gets the most correct answers wins.

baby shower games
Jason Payne asked:


Here are some of our favorites. But before you get started with the games, be sure to get some prizes first. Prizes to consider are full size (not bite size), candy bars, blue or pink pens for the *** of the baby. Additionally, blue or pink balloons with a face drawn on the front, or the words “winner” written across in permanent marker make for really fun prizes as well.

After you have some up with some prizes, here our some of our favorite games to play.



Fastest Diaper Changer in the West. Have smaller size balloons blown up and hand them out to everyone who will be playing. Next give them two diapers. Have the guest carefully put the diapers on the balloon before the game starts. After they have already placed on diaper on the balloon, give them the instructions that junior has just had an accident and being the careful and delicate parent that they are , there objective is to change the diaper without pooping the balloon. Anyone who pops a balloon will be disqualified and whoever changes the diaper first, will win a prize.



How does Mommy Measure Up? Begin by passing out some yarn to everyone who will be playing. Next pass around some scissors and have each guest cut the amount of yarn that will fit Mommy perfectly at her widest point without being over or under. The person who is the closest is the winner.



Guess the Number of Kisses. This is used everywhere and everyone already know how to play. Fill a jar with Kisses (jelly beans are too typical) and have each one guess at the number of Kisses, the closest one will win the jar of kisses.



The Price is Right. For this one, it is played much like the game shows you see on television. Visit some online merchants who have both pictures and descriptions of Baby items and print them up. Pass around some paper and pens. Have the host narrate the online product description and pass it around with the price blacked out. The person who is closest to the item without going over will win a point. After all of the items have been passed around, the person with the most point wins.



As your can see, there are a plethora of baby shower games that can be played for your shower. What is important to remember is to know who your audience is going to be. This means, are the games that you are thinking about playing fit both the audience and the theme you are trying to create?

planning a baby shower
What? asked:


I’m having two of them one of which will be out of town for my family only and the other will be in town for friends. When should I start planning for them?
Nov
10
baby shower games
Jacqueline Courtiol asked:


Although a newborn’s arrival into the world can be a joyful occasion, it can also bring a lot of stress…not just for the parents, but for family and friends as well.

Baby showers are the perfect example. While they are used to celebrate the arrival of a brand new life into the world, they can also be stressful for the person hosting the occasion. If you are planning to throw a baby shower for a friend or a relative, and you are not sure exactly how to start organizing it, this article provides some tips.

Best time for a baby shower?

The best time to throw a baby shower is on the weekend, preferably mid-morning to late afternoon. Why? Because people work during the week. Also, consider having the baby shower later on in the mother-to-be pregnancy, around 9 weeks before the birth is best.

A baby shower can also be held after the birth of the child. This is the best plan if the mother-to-be is having complications with her pregnancy.

How many people should I invite?

One normally invites anywhere from 10 to 20 people to a baby shower. What one should also take into consideration when inviting people, is whether or not the location of the baby shower can accommodate only a few or a large group of people.

How long should a baby shower last?

A baby shower generally lasts about two to three hours. That should be enough time for everyone to mingle, the presents to be opened, and food eaten. Also, take into consideration the mother-to-be is more easily exhausted.

Who should pay for the baby shower?

The host/hostess should pay for the baby shower. A baby shower is perceived as a gift from the host to the bride. It is not unusual or wrong for the host to ask family or close friends to help out monetarily. So, if you need some financial help, don’t be shy in asking family and close friends. What is not acceptable is asking the mother-to-be for monetary help.

Should I throw a surprise shower?

If you are thinking of throwing a surprise shower, you may want to rethink. Surprise showers can cause the host all kinds of problems, namely making sure the mother-to-be arrives at the shower on time. The best plan is to throw a baby shower that the mother-to-be is aware of because she can offer much needed suggestions to the host.

Do you need to send out invitations?

Yes, one needs to send out invitations for a baby shower. It does not have to involve fancy stationery. One can go to any greeting card store and purchase invitations at a reasonable price. It is also important that you send out the invitations a few weeks in advance, preferably three to four weeks.

Can I have games at the baby shower?

Games are indeed very popular at baby showers. However, baby showers are primarily about the food, drink (non-alcoholic), presents and conversations. So while having games at a baby shower is fine, do not feel pressured to have them. If you do opt for games at a baby shower, be creative and make sure the games center on the baby and mother-to-be.

When should the presents be opened?

The presents should be opened after food has been enjoyed and games played, if you decide to have them.

Themes

In this day and age, a lot of baby showers have themes. There are advantages to a theme orientated baby shower. It can certainly make the shower easier to organize. You can make up your own them theme or use some already established popular baby showers themes, which include:

Tea party, which can be fun.

Book party, where everyone brings books as gifts for the baby and mother.

Diaper party, where the baby shower centers on gifts that deal with the bare necessities like diapers or baby bottles.

Nov
08
baby shower games
Shauna Hanus asked:


A baby shower is such a special time for mothers to be. It’s a time when the expectant mom gets to share her joy with her family and friends. When planning a baby shower the hostess should remember that baby shower games will take an ordinary shower to a memory of a lifetime.

Baby shower games can be simple games like find the dirty diaper. In this game guests each pick up a folded diaper when they join the baby shower. Then as an opening ice breaker each guest on folds their diaper. One guest will have something “dirty” inside like a dot of peanut butter or mustard. The guest with the dirty diaper then wins a door prize.

Another baby shower game that is great fun is to guess how big the mom is. In this game each baby shower guest estimates how many toilet paper squares it will take to go around the moms’ belly. The guest with the closest guess wins a prize.

Just in case your mother to be is not a game loving kind of gal you can hold a decorate the baby room party. In this type of baby shower instead of games guests come and decorate the baby’s room for the new mom. This gives mom to be an extra special room where she will be able to remember her friends and family as she cares for her new infant.

Whether your mother to be is looking forward to fun loving baby shower games or just a simple baby shower remember this day will be a day she cherishes for years to come.

planning a baby shower
kaylee k asked:


My brothers girlfriend is having a baby and i am in charge of planning the shower HELP!
baby shower etiquette
Sarah Porter asked:


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Creating a Recipient List - Before you buy an invitation announcement, you need to know who is going to be on the receiving end of your mailing. And, yes, there must be a mailing. Although we can certainly invite people or announce big news via text messages or phone calls, there’s something more special about taking the time to pick out a greeting and send them the old-fashioned way. Plus, that’s the rules of etiquette. Depending on your reason for sending them out, you may have a huge list of almost every person you know or you could have a smaller list of just your closest companions and family members. Either way, you’ll want to purchase a few extras just in case of mistakes or of late additions to the guest list. With wedding invitations, for example, many planners recommend purchasing an extra 10% for this reason. That means if you’re sending out 200 invites then you would need to buy 220 wedding invitation cards just in case. The same rule applies to thank you cards and invites for other events.

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planning a baby shower
Sandra Canfield asked:


Themes for parties tumble in all directions, but a baby shower begins with one common denominator, babies. Sit down with a notebook and pen, start writing down words that come to mind when the word “baby” is spoken. The mind conjures up images that provide a multitude of ideas. Babies: lullaby, rocking, sweet, gentle, tiny animals, storybooks and their characters, downy soft, sunny, silly, and whimsical are a few words associated with babies. Add to the list of words specific things you know about mom and dad to be. Perhaps they love the outdoors, gardening, camping, or hiking. It could be a family that finds music and playing instruments to be an important part of their life. A sports family with riotous good humor who believe nothing is better on a hot July night than going to a baseball game. Incorporate what you know about the family with words associated with baby to come up with a very personal theme.

A Sunny Lullaby Baby Shower Theme

A family that listens to Mozart and plays Gershwin on the piano would find a lullaby theme music to their ears. Choose a second word from the list that brings to mind color or touch such as soft or sunny. A Sunny Lullaby Shower would be personal and charming. A Sunny Lullaby Shower brings to mind all shades of yellow, soft creams, and if you know if the baby is a boy or girl you could bring blue or pink into the palette. Start jotting down ideas like having the cake decorated with a cradle in the middle a huge smiling sun and tiny musical notes in all the colors of the palette chosen. Decorate around the theme using suns, babies, and musical notes. If games will be included borrow the premises of the game show “Name That Tune” using lullabies or nursery songs instead of popular tunes. While serving cake and punch play soft lullabies or classical music suited for a baby shower. Music stores carry loads of music for babies or children.

A Fairy Baby Shower

Gardeners and outdoorsmen would find a garden fairy shower to be enchanting and whimsical. The colors of nature come to mind with thoughts of garden fairies: greens, yellows, lavenders, and the iridescent flash of wings. A shower held outdoors on a deck, patio, or even in or near a garden would be a perfect setting for this theme. All things small and botanical could be used. Pressed flowers found at hobby stores like Michael’s could be used to decorate invitations. Fresh flower arrangements with tiny fairies perched among the flowers would create a darling centerpiece. Fairy cakes and nectar (punch) could be part of the refreshments served. There are books galore relating the tales and legends of the wee folk. With a little research A Fairy Baby Shower would make a charming theme.

Zoo Babies Shower

Think about the joys visiting a zoo brings to little ones. Take the wild animal theme and tame it down to become a Zoo Babies Shower. Colors could be as soft as the pink of a flamingo to the cream of a kangaroo’s tummy, or the calm gray of newborn elephant. Call friends and family to gather as many stuffed zoo animals as you can for decoration. Stickers of every kind are available at craft stores and could be used to make fun invitations. Ask the cake decorator to create a wonderful baby animal scene on the cake. Games might include name that animal with only a portion of the animal showing. The possibilities are as endless as the imagination.

Animals on Parade Baby Shower

Two things that children everywhere love are animals and parades. Combine the two for a party with rollicking good fun. The primary colors, red, blue, yellow, green, and orange come to mind with thoughts of Animals on Parade. Kittens, puppies, silly geese, tiny mice, a white goat, a gentle brown cow all marching to band music brings smiles and giggles to faces. Expand on the theme by having a cake decorated with animals clutching bright balloons.

Storybook Themed Showers

Browse through any storybook to spark the imagination. Jot down ideas while reading the story. Take note of the colors used in the stories to create a palette for decorations and favors. A few suggestions follow.

Eloise Baby Shower

The book, Eloise, by Kay Thompson allows a glimpse into the world of a little girl living in the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Read the book and then develop an entire baby shower around Eloise’s escapades. Colors would be “rawther” Eloise, deep pink, a lighter shade of pink and a touch of black. This theme would be especially great for a city baby.

Tasha Tudor Theme

A theme surrounding Tasha Tudor, a beloved children’s book illustrator, would incorporate children, animals, nature. Books she’s written and illustrated such as Pumpkin Moonshine, A is for Annabelle (an alphabet book), and Corgiville Fair could be used as guidelines.

Dr. Seuss Theme

Choose any of Dr. Seuss’s wild, whacky rhyming stories as a theme. From the charm of Horton Hears a Who to Green Eggs and Ham or the perennial favorite The Cat in the Hat fun showers themes could be gleaned. Green Eggs and Ham is everything green, punch, food, decorations. Invent a game of where is Sam-I-Am using the book as a guide.

Draw inspiration from libraries, bookstores, children’s clothing shops, a park, or anywhere that attracts babies and their families. Once the motivation sets in the imagination takes over and unique, personal baby shower themes will come to life. The fun is in the planning and the satisfaction in the face of a mother to be when she walks in to the shower and finds herself whisked into the wonder of baby enchantment.

baby shower gifts
patti406 asked:


My best friend and my cousin-in-law are both pregnant. I’m planning on sewing them both bedroom sets for the baby, making them diaper cakes, and giving them another gift at like $16 each. Is this enough? I’m also planning both their showers. It’s hard because I don’t have a lot of money myself, I’m only 20 and I have student loans to pay off, plus with both showers happening at around the same time, it’s sort of tough. Any suggestions?