Planning a Baby Shower: Complete Guide (with Checklist and All)

This article will help you plan out a baby shower from start to finish. You can download a PDF of the accompanying planning worksheet from www.ReginaMilton.com under "Fun Stuff" or use the article without it.

1- Who is hosting the shower? Is it you alone, or are you going to work with another friend or family member of the expectant mother or father? Once you decide on hosts you should split up responsibilities for more efficient results. Let each person operate in their area of strength and talk early on about who will pay for what (because that is one of the biggest stressors down the line).

2- Decide on a date and time for the shower. The baby shower should probably be at least three weeks before the due date, but no more than a month and a half before. This will allow a time cushion should the baby come early. Make sure to not only check with the expectant mother and father but also to check the date with their closest family members and friends. Remind the expectant father and mother to register for gifts. Popular retailers are Target and Babies 'R Us (both offer online registry creation and editing).

3- Decide whether the shower will be attended by women and men (coed) or just women; decide what the theme of the baby shower is and subsequently what colors should be used. Many couples are straying from the traditional pink or blue parties; so many combinations and themes are possible that you are sure to find something that fits the personality of the parent(s). Recommendations for coed showers: jungle theme, Winnie the Pooh theme, a barbeque, Noah's Ark theme, renting a room at Dave & Buster's (or similar adult fun place in your area). Recommendations for a women's shower: tea party, Bath Junkie room rental, ceramics party, in-home spa day.

Note: Steps 4 and 5 can be done in either order: you can find a venue and then invite the right number of people to fit that venue, or, invite your guests and find a venue that suits the number invited.

4- Decide on a location for the party. You can host this at your home, an apartment clubhouse, a restaurant that accommodates group parties, Dave & Buster's, a local park, or perhaps your church. Just make sure the venue has enough room for the activities that you plan, the number of guests you intend to invite and the gifts that the parents will receive. Also make sure the facility has an oven, microwave, refrigerator or space for catering dependent upon your refreshment options.

5- Make your guest list. I suggest using the Excel spreadsheet that is on my website (www.ReginaMilton.com) under the "Fun Stuff" tab or something similar to organize your guests. It will help when it is time to send out invitations or an Evite. You can mail merge directly from this document and track RSVPs. Make sure to collaborate with the expectant mother or father (about who they want) on the guest list unless the party is a surprise for them.

6- Figure out the activities and games you will play during the shower. For a list of games that can be played at a coed baby shower, please see the Associated Content article Fun Ideas for Co-ed Baby Showers. Make sure to write down a list of supplies that you will need for your activities and add them into your budget. A popular game is Baby Shower Bingo to be played while gifts are being opened. You can obtain a sample Bingo card from my website under the "Fun Stuff" link. You will be able to fill in the squares with different items that are common gifts at baby showers. Remember to make each card unique before you print it out. Each guest can receive a card and watch intently as gifts are being opened as they try to be the first to get Bingo! You can usually look up the online registries of the parents and see what items have already been purchased for them.

7- Decide on what type and quantity of food/drinks you want to serve at the shower. It may be more cost effective to get appetizers and drinks from Sam's Club or Costco. With smaller showers you could prepare the food at home, or recruit a few friends to do a potluck style event. You may want the expectant mother's favorite restaurant to cater food, or, the venue may provide food. Most baby showers will offer cold sandwiches, desserts, or appetizers to the guests. It is customary to at least have some type of cake or cupcakes. Calculate in the cost of trays, serving utensils, cups, plates, cutlery, ice and napkins.

8- Send out invitations. It is courteous to send out invitations three to five weeks before the event. If sending physical invitations via snail mail you will want to shoot for four to five weeks beforehand. Remember to include these in your budget whether you make them yourself or purchase them. Include the name of the parent(s), child (if known), the date, location, time, theme or attire (if necessary), the retailers where the parent(s) is registered, and directions to the venue. It is usually helpful to include an "RSVP by" date, so that you can get an accurate count of attendees early on. It is also customary to include a cute verse or poem in the invitation. Examples of such sayings can be found at www.cutest-baby-shower-ideas.com.

9- Select decorations. There is no need to go all out for a baby shower. A few well-placed decorations will do the trick. Select items in your theme or color scheme. Add color to the room with table cloths and balloons. People are there to celebrate the parent(s) and their child, not how perfect the room looks.

10- Recruit people to help you set up and decorate the venue on the day of; make sure the food is being transported/delivered to the venue early enough to spot problems. Find people to help facilitate activities for the day.

Have fun with your upcoming event!