Parenting Mrs. Hood

Hosting a successful baby shower is a matter of planning and organization.

The first step to planning and hosting a successful baby shower is to create the guest list. You must know the number of guests in order to develop the shower budget.

The budget will determine the location of the baby shower, the menu, decorations and more.

Location and food are typically the biggest costs in a shower budget. If the group is smaller, holding the party at a home may be a good option. Then there will be no location fees.

For a large guest list, the baby shower could be held at a restaurant, community center, or church; remember that it is likely that a fee will be charged to use these facilities. Keep a list of all of the baby shower costs.

Showers are better attended on a weekend and should occur four to eight weeks before the baby is due. If the shower is at a location other than a home, know that Friday and Saturday showers are usually more expensive than Sunday showers.

Select the theme for the baby shower. It is very important to consider what the mommy-to-be wants. The theme will set the tone of the party, the menu and the decorations. Baby shower themes can be as simple as blue or pink if the sex of the baby is known.

Match your theme Include the location, date, time, your contact info and the RSVP date (which should be about seven days before the baby shower). Include general directions or a map to the event location Send invitations four to five weeks before the event.

For a home, church, or community center, shower, you can choose a caterer, make your own food, or use a combination of both. For a shower at a restaurant, you will need to work with someone at the restaurant on the menu; they may be able to help you match the menu to your shower theme. Don’t forget the cake!

Balloons, streamers and other decorations should match your theme. If the baby shower is at a restaurant, find out what decorations are allowed. If the baby shower is not at a restaurant, plates, napkins, cups and utensils will be needed. Be sure to have enough napkins and forks for appetizers and cake and cups for both hot and cold liquids.

Baby Shower Bingo Baby Word Scramble The Tray Memory Game The Cotton Ball Game The Rice and Safety Pins game Guess the Baby Mommy's Tummy Girth Don't Say Baby Guessing The Baby Food Game Mommy's Secrets Baby Sketch The Price is Right shower game Birthing Babies Pass the Parcel Baby Animals game Candy in a Bottle game Tips: 1) Be sure you have writing utensils for everyone 2) Wrap games prizes 3) Make sure to have extra prizes in case of tie games.

The baby shower party favors are one of those nice touches to finish off a successful baby shower. Party favors can go with the theme or not. Some popular baby shower gifts include: Fill-able baby bottles Jelly Belly It's a boy/girl candy Mini pacifier sweet tarts Baby feet Lollipops Personalized candy bar (wrappers)

Arrival Mingling Welcome Ice Breakers, Food Game Time Present Opening Dessert Time End of the Party

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You will work in a group of up to 4 members to plan a baby shower. Your group will create an electronic portfolio of your baby shower plan. You can determine if the party will be large (more than 10) or small (10 or fewer guests)and if the mom-to-be knows the baby’s sex.

Your group will create an electronic portfolio that includes: Number of Guests Date and Location of the Shower Theme Sample Invitation Decorations Menu Cake Baby Shower Games w/directions Party Favors Sample Thank You Card Party Itinerary Budget

Each group will present their shower ideas to the class. We will vote on the best planned shower, then have that party in class one day!