Ten Steps To A Perfect Baby Shower, Part Two

Part One of this series discussed baby shower hostess etiquette, when to hold a baby shower, and how to choose its setting, decoration, and theme.

6. Baby shower invitations tell guests what to anticipate.

Good baby shower invitations do more than just announce the time and date of the event. They also help to paint a picture of the event’s décor and tone. Even the invitations’ wording plays a part in hinting to guests what they’ll experience. Formal events should use formal language, and vice versa.

Hostesses should make sure the invitation clearly has the RSVP date and contact information listed. For more technologically savvy baby shower planners, guests can also reply by email. Once guests reserve their place, planners can send on any baby registry information or special instructions regarding gifts and presents. In fact several online baby gifts and baby shower suppliers have online gift registries where guests can coordinate who’s buying what gift.

Invitations should go out several weeks in advance, to give guests plenty of time to adjust their schedules and have time to shop for a gift.

7. Baby shower dining is about more than just food.

Guests will arrive expecting at least snacks, and even the most casual baby shower should offer finger sandwiches or similar light fare for guests to avail themselves while mingling and during the games. The food served can also match the baby shower’s theme and even enhance the motif.

More elaborate baby shower events, such as those staged in a restaurant or private venue, will provide entire meals – typically luncheons or midday meals that don’t fill the guests up. A dessert course is optional, but baby shower favors should be presented along with the meal, either at each place setting or on a table as guests enter the dining area. And while the mother certainly can’t imbibe, the baby shower is a great time for a little celebratory champagne for all the other guests.

The baby shower meal is also another opportunity to consult with the mother of honor. Hostesses for less formal events may wish to serve her favorite meal in tribute, or let her plan the menu as a way of thanking her guests.

8. "That’s entertainment!"

Games are a huge part of the traditional baby shower. Hostesses should plan at least one baby shower game for immediately after the meal, with possibly a second held in reserve if enough people have the time and inclination.

There are dozens of games from almost as many manufacturers available. The most popular include games where everyone can participate at the same time. Every guest should get the chance to play, so hostesses may wish to hold a "baby" trivia match. Another popular game asks the guests questions revealing how much they know about the mother of honor.

Other fun games include group Baby Phrase Hangman, Who’s Got the Stinky Diaper?, and Pin The Diaper On The Baby.

Guests should receive a prize for winning the game, including either a goody bag or extra samples of the baby shower favor.

9. Presenting the baby shower gifts and presents

No baby shower could be complete without the giving of the gifts. But hostesses should take care that the actual gift-giving at the shower is handled tactfully and without risk of hurting anyone’s feelings.

Inevitably, some gifts will be bigger than others, and hostesses should act discreetly to avoid size comparisons, as the gifts are unwrapped. One way to avoid such embarrassment is to simply hand the gifts to the mother of honor in the order of which the guests are arranged around the table or the conversation area. As the hostess, you’ll be in charge of policing the discarded wrapping and bows, so have a large gift bag ready to scoop up all that extra paper.

By the way, you’re not required to give a gift, but a small memento of your affection is always a sweet gesture. You may also choose to give a diaper cake which can serve as a centerpiece for all the other gifts as they wait arranged on a table.

10. After the baby shower concludes

Closing down the baby shower is largely a matter of retracing your planning steps. If your invitations specify an end time, most of your guests will likely promptly depart.

Make sure the mother of honor has reliable transportation home. If you’ve rented or engaged the services of a vendor or caterer, make sure all steps have been taken to ensure the return of any security deposits.

Finally, don’t be shy about congratulating yourself! Planning a baby shower is no small undertaking, but you’ve helped create memories that will last for years to come and given the new mother a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

This article was brought to you courtesy of Corner Stork Baby Gifts located online at http://www.cornerstorkbabygifts.com. Visit Corner Stork for a wide selection of hundreds of baby gifts and baby shower favors including baby shower games, baby blankets and much more.