Baby showers are an opportunity to "shower" the mother with love, affection, and joy, while helping her (and her mate) prepare for the challenges of parenting. Whether it be the mother's first baby, or her fifth, each new child brings new parenting challenges.



There are three basic tips I would share to help you plan the perfect shower. Select a theme, create a task list, and beg, borrow, and bride help from friends and family.

Baby shower themes can be easily found by searching online at various baby shower decoration and party supply stores. These stores stock patterns and themes from various manufacturers. The theme can become the foundation for your event, helping you and your guest by creating the perfect environment for your shower.

How do you select the perfect theme? Think about the guest of honor. Is she expecting a boy or girl? Maybe twins are in the future. What is her personality? Will the "dads" be attending? Select a theme that you think best captures the spirit of the mom.

Once you have selected a baby shower theme, you can now create your check list for things that need to be done. Around 2 months ahead of time, you should scout out a location for the shower, and start to develop your guest list. Establish your budget, and think about all the items you will need to purchase including invitations, catering, party favors, games, decorations, and more. Many of these sites have planning tools for you to use in developing your list of tasks.

Start working on your menu, your invitee list, and your activities. This is an opportunity to start getting friends and family involved. Everyone loves to make the new mother feel special, so ask everyone if they want to help - you'll get lots of offers! Then, have a list of small projects for each person to choose from. These smaller projects can be things like coming up with a centerpiece, addressing the invitations, brining an appetizer, finding and ordering the cake, and other tasks. When you give someone a task, make sure you've given them enough specifics to keep everyone's stress down. Make sure they know when it needs to be done by, and if there are any budget constraints.

Five weeks in advance, purchase your invitations. Most places that sell baby shower decorations also sell other decorations including tableware (paper plates and napkins), balloons, banners, and games that match the theme for your event, that way you can order baby shower invitations that match your theme!

Four weeks out, make sure all your decorations, favors, centerpieces are ordered. This will give you time for them to be delivered. This is also a good time to check your pantry for your serving supplies. Put out the word to friends and family members who will be attending if you need to borrow any critical items (such as serving platters, punch bowls, tables, etc.)

Three weeks from the event, follow-up on all the activities you've asked for help from others. Make sure everything is done well in advance so that if anyone has questions, or has had something come up that causes them not to be able to complete their task, you can graciously take care of it.

Around 14 days ahead of time is a good time to make sure your cake has been ordered. Some bakeries may require as much as 45 days notice, so plan accordingly. You should also think about activities and games for your shower. Take another look at your check list to make sure you haven't missed anything.

7 Days out is a good time for advanced preparation of any food that can be put into the freezer. Make sure you know the who has RSVP'ed yes or no. Check in with all your helpers to make sure everything in on track.

A couple days before the shower, you might want to start the set-up of the location. Get furniture, chairs, tables, etc., arranged the way you want them.

On the day before the shower, remember to thaw any previously cooked and frozen items if they need it. Decorate the room, tables, and such.

The day of the big event, fill your location with love, joy, and FLOWERS! Get your balloon bouquets filled (they don't last long, so do it the same day if you can!) Do the final decorating, and food layout. Then, take a picture BEFORE the event starts for your Guest of honor's keepsake book. Do a final check in with your helpers.

The only thing left is to have FUN!