Baby Showers Are a Fun Way to Welcome the Newest Family Member

If you are about to become a mother for the first time you may be overwhelmed by decisions. Infants require a lot of items and determining what is needed and how safe those items are for your baby is very important. Mothers-to-be should begin listing the things the baby will need and become familiar with safety, quality and price of baby products and furniture.

If you are fortunate to have someone hold a baby shower for you can offer gift ideas for things that you feel are safe and of good quality. A baby shower does not to be a burden on anyone, even the expectant mother can help out, by preparing a menu for the event and helping with the invitations, games, and decorations.

Select a theme to guide the flow of the baby shower, if the gender of the baby is known you could base the theme on color. Using baby items such as pacifier, rattles and baby bottles can be used as centerpieces or party favors. Door prizes could be items of body lotions or soaps for the guests to take home or donate to the expectant mother.

For a time-of-day theme each invitee is given a particular time of day to use as a guide to select an item the baby or mother would use during that time. For example at noon-time baby may need a bib, baby spoon or special plate. For nap-time the baby would enjoy a music box or the mother could use a scented bath lotion for a quick shower while the baby is sleeping.

Things like baby gift baskets, layette gift sets, baby lotions, soaps and other hygiene supplies for babies make great gifts. Baby linens, baby massage sets, classical clothing, christening gowns and baby record books make excellent gifts.

Often times co-worker or family members pool their resources and present the baby with larger or more expensive items such as baby seats, strollers, high-chairs, swings, and baby's activity monitors.

Prepare your guest list for co-workers, family, and close friends, a combined group makes for a fun party, allowing family to get acquainted with the friends and coworkers that will become a part of the babies life.

Plan your baby shower for about four to six weeks before the due date, to allow the parents time to provide items not received at the shower. The hostess and the expectant mother should prepare a guest list to determine the size of the baby shower and select a theme. Plan the games, menu, party favors and the time and location.

Send the invitations two weeks before the shower date to allow time for your guests to be prepared and to get it on their calendar.