This may work or it may be an awkward disaster, so think about it very carefully before doing it. You mom-to-be may be feeling unwell or just hate surprises.
* What about the Baby Shower Invitations?
Include the basic information (who, what, where, when and RSVP) and then add the details of any theme you might have chosen. If the parents have a baby registry you can include this too but I prefer leaving it out and handling it when guests call to RSVP.
When you plan a baby shower you should send your invitations out a few weeks before the time so your guests can shop for gifts and rearrange schedules if need be.
* The Food
You will need to plan a menu to go along with the baby shower. The traditional fare is either a meal or snacks followed by a cake and more finger deserts. Keep it simple and ask for help if you need it. If you know the guests well, ask everybody to contribute a dish or some money towards having the day catered.
* The Entertainment
A baby shower should be a relaxed and fun time for all the guests so party games are an ideal way to spread the joy. Games allow everybody to start talking and to get to know each other. This is also a great way to keep everybody busy - on arrival, before the meal and gift opening time.
Try Baby Bingo or Baby's Piggy Bank where any woman found sitting with her legs crossed must put a quarter in the bank. The toilet paper game is another favorite - here a roll or paper is passed around and guests take the amount they would 'use'. Then the mom-to-be's tummy is measured using the remainder. The guest who chose a similar amount is the winner.
* Gift Opening
Designate somebody to keep a list of gifts received. Use a simple notebook for this purpose or write each gift item on the back of the giver's card. Keep all the cards for a scrapbook later. A nice touch is to send around a journal in which each guest can write a little note to the parents. Don't forget to give each gift a little party favor too!
Once all the gifts are opened it's time to relax and talk - sharing plans for the new baby and chatting to the mom or parents to be about how they are enjoying the pregnancy. You can plan a baby shower well in advance so you can get all the details sorted out and can lend your mind to more pleasant things on the day. Don't become stressed when you plan a baby shower or it may ruin the day for you and your guests. The aim is for the mom-to-be, the guests and yes, you to have a fun filled, joyful day, so relax and get to it!
