Oh, Baby!
The Ultimate Guide to Planning and Throwing an Unforgettable Baby Shower
First things first. Choose a date for the shower. Baby showers are usually held 3-4 months in advance. You would not want for the baby to make an unexpected appearance at the shower, after all! Make sure Mom-to-be is available.
Can the shower be a surprise? It is perfectly appropriate and fun to host a surprise baby shower. I recently coordinated a surprise dessert shower that was wonderful. If it is a co-worker, you may choose to have a surprise shower at the office. Of course, consulting the mother beforehand for input has its advantages as well. It is up to you!
A Note About Hosting Etiquette. According to traditional etiquette, a close friend/friends of the mom-to-be should be responsible for throwing the shower (because of the focus on gift-giving.) So if you are a family member, you may want to enlist the help of a good friend to the expecting mom to actually serve as host. Family members can definitely help in the planning details like suggesting an invitation list, gift ideas, providing refreshments, etc. If you're a friend to the guest of honor and it is appropriate, you may want to ask her family members to help.
X the XYs? Should the baby shower be co-ed? It is also perfectly acceptable to involve the father-to-be and male friends in the shower. They offer different perspectives and may very much appreciate being involved.
Think Themes. Your job in planning can be made easier by selecting a theme. Invitations, decorations, games, and refreshments can then be designed around that theme.
