Very soon, almost everything in your life will revolve around your baby. If that's not reason enough to let someone throw you a fabulous party for your expectant mom, consider this: "A baby shower can really help you feel less overwhelmed by outfitting it with so much of what you'll need when the baby arrives," says Jodi. Cohen, co-founder of JOWY Productions, a Los Angeles events company. Anything that helps relieve stress for new parents is a very good thing. That is why we are answering the most common questions about the baby shower of future moms.
Who should I invite to my baby shower?
Exactly who to invite (close friends and direct family only, co-workers, your grandmother's friend, Helga, husbands and boyfriends) is 100% up to you and the host. But for the funniest event possible, Cohen suggests inviting only the people closest to you with new parents gift, so everyone really shares your joy, rather than feeling compelled to attend.
Providing the hostess with a list of names and addresses ensures that everyone you care about receives an invitation. But what if your sister, your co-worker, and your friend from the dog park are planning separate showers for you? find out more Having more than one celebration has become common. "It's okay to have multiple showers," says Diane Warner, author of Diane Warner's Complete Book of baby hamper Showers: Hundreds of Ways to Host a Unique Celebration (Career Press, 1998). "But the guest lists should be separate. If someone is invited to more than one shower, they are only expected to bring a gift the first time."
Should we open presents during the shower or after?
People love to see cute little clothes and stuffed animals, but if the pile is huge, opening gifts can be tedious for guests or make those who brought smaller gifts feel bad. You and your host should decide what feels right to you, but it often works best when gifts like baby baskets are opened later, says Cohen. "Depending on the size of your guest list, gift-giving can be endless, and a shower should last up to three hours," she says. And of course, even if your guests insist that a thank you note isn't necessary, you should always send one.
How do we make the shower really fun?
We've all been in boring baby showers where the games are silly, embarrassing for the expectant mom for mummy hampers, or gross (guess the squashed candy in the diaper? No thanks!). Some fun tips from moms and party experts:
Give everyone fabric paints and a one-piece and plain white bib to decorate. The best part about this messy yet brilliant baby shower activity is that not only is it fun for the guests, but the expectant mom ends up with handmade keepsakes that she will actually use. Leave it casual or turn it into a contest by having guests vote for their favorite piece and giving the winner a bottle of wine. Another option: have each guest write a message or draw a picture with permanent markers or fabric paints on a square of fabric; Then after the party, Mom's crafiest friend can sew the squares into a cute blanket or play quilt.