Baby Shower Article

Baby Showers
By Lisa D. Frogge

A new baby is a wonderful blessing and friends and family love to welcome the infant by helping stock the nursery. This greatly assists the new parents and allows everyone to come together to celebrate the new arrival. A baby shower is usually hosted by a close friend, but rules have relaxed to allow anyone (other than the new parents) to host a shower. It was also traditional that the shower was attended only by women. Today, many Fathers To Be are anxious to be included as well. Consider having a co-ed shower and plan activities and refreshments that the gentlemen will also enjoy.

Baby showers are not restricted to the traditional “blue for boys and pink for girls” themes, although they may be perfectly acceptable starting points in planning showers. Ask the Mother To Be what color or theme she plans to decorate the nursery and coordinate decorations to match. It is fun to designate a special seat where the new mother will open the gifts. It can be a “Mommy To Be” sash placed on the back of a chair or a comfortable rocker with pillows for support. Take into account the mother’s stage of pregnancy and plan for her comfort. While they may not expect it, it is a nice gesture to acknowledge the “Grandmothers To Be” in a similar fashion. They may have a special seat near the Mother To Be or given a simple corsage to wear.

Refreshments are easy to tailor to the theme of the party and need not be limited to cake and punch. Below are a few partial menus to help get the planning started.

Brunch
Assortment of fruit, pastries, quiche, flavored coffees

Luncheon
Assorted salads and crudités, shrimp, finger sandwiches, mini cupcakes

Afternoon Tea
Scones with jams, tea sandwiches, petit fours, flavored teas

Potluck Dinner
At this shower, guests bring a favorite menu item to share and also one to put in the freezer for the new mother to have for those first few hectic weeks after the baby arrives.

Party favors for the shower guests are a very nice touch. There are many types and sizes of favor bags and boxes on the market that are sure to fit any theme and may be filled with small items such as candy or soaps. Place card holders are functional during the shower and a nice keepsake as well. Pens and bookmarks are also options that are readily available.

It’s no secret that even though they are quite small, babies tend to need many things! Deciding what to get the little person can be overwhelming. Many new parents join a gift registry at a store or two of their choice, which helps narrow the choices. Shower hosts can assist by providing that information to guests or establishing a category of gifts for the shower. This is especially helpful if multiple showers will be given. For example, one shower can focus on toys for the child and another may suggest baby clothing, blankets or diapers. Many new mothers appreciate photo albums, frames, and other keepsakes. Hosts may also suggest that in addition to their chosen baby shower gift, guest bring a favorite children’s book to help fill the baby’s bookshelf.

Entertainment is often a difficult dilemma for the shower host as many guests simply do not enjoy the traditional baby shower games. Discuss plans with the Mother To Be and plan activities that both she and the other guests will enjoy. It is perfectly acceptable to simply have soft music playing in the background while the guests enjoy conversation with each other. Other new mothers may appreciate hearing advice or funny stories from the experienced mothers and grandmothers in the group.

Whatever type of baby shower is held, keep the focus on the blessing of a new life and the comfort of the Mother To Be and it will be a success!