Baby Showers

How to Host a Baby Shower

What is it?

We all know about the tension leading upto "The Big Day", the due date of the bub-to-be! But why not have a little fun before hand and hold a Baby Shower.  Offering to organize and run a Baby Shower is a wonderful gift to give to a sister or girlfriend, who will appreciate your thoughtfulness. At a time when she may be feeling big and uncomfortable, and perhaps nervous and apprehensive about what is to come, having such a special event thrown to honour both her and the imminent arrival can be a wonderful distraction.  First time mums-to-be especially treasure the love and support shown to them by other women at this time, and what a great reason to have a last girly get together before the birth!

"Great idea, but where would I start" you may be thinking but look no further - we have all the information and resources you need right here! Keep on reading...

Who?

Baby showers are usually hosted by female friends or relatives of the expectant mum, not the mum herself. It can be lots of fun (and easier to manage) if the shower is hosted by more than one person, e.g. the mum's closest group of friends and a good time to hold the shower is 4 - 6 weeks before the due date.

Most friends and relatives will have a rough idea who the mum would want to be at the shower but it never hurts to check in case you have missed someone out ... or added someone they would rather not attend! If you are planning the party as a surprise, ask her partner or closest friend to look over the guest list for you.

Where?

Baby showers are normally held in the hostess's home, but they could be held in the mum-to-be's home, or even in a  restaurant. It depends on the atmosphere you want to create and the location of the majority of your guests

Invitations?

Although it is acceptable to invite guests by telephone or email a written invitation is a much nicer touch and gives guests something to remember the day by. You can down load and print a sample invitation here (especially handy if mum-to-be has a minieco Gift Registry).  Alternatively, you can buy pre-printed cards, or hand write a blank card or note.

What happens?

One you have your invitations sent out its time to start the serious planning - you could spend the whole time swapping horror birth and sleepless night stories but it's probably not a good idea! Games seems a bit daggy but they can really be a lot of fun and a good way to break the ice if there are a few people who don't know each other - you don't want everyone just sitting around in their little clique-y groups! Name badges can be helpful here especially if not everyone knows everyone else.

The whole point of the shower is to have lots of fun and help the mum-to-be relax before her long-awaited arrival.

Here are some fun ideas to get you started.  You probably only need to do 2 or 3:

1. When We Were Babies - when you send out the invitations, ask each guest to bring along a picture of themselves as babies. As each guest arrives, take their photograph and number it, making a list as you go, so you can tell which photograph is who. Have ready a numbered sheet for each guest so they can write the person's name next to the photo number they think corresponds. Let them write down the name next to the number that corresponds with each picture. We have prepared a sample below to give you a starting point.
   
   The person with the most correct guesses wins!
2. The Cotton Wool Ball Game - for this very funny game you will need 2 large salad bowls or pots, a serving spoon (larger than a dessertspoon), a blind fold or scarf, and a bag of cotton wool balls. Set the 2 bowls least 1.5 metres apart and place all of the cotton balls in one pot.
   
   Each guest is blindfolded in turn and has to attempt to transfer as many cotton balls as they can to the empty bowl in one minute, using only the spoon (no hands!). Keep a record of how many each guest gets in - the one who transfers the most cotton balls wins!
   
   This game is such a giggle because it is very entertaining watching people concentrating on carrying a usually empty spoon from one bowl to another.
3. Unscramble the Letters Game - pick words related to babies and scramble the letters. If you like, you can use our list set out below as a starting point. Allow a time limit of 5 minutes for everyone to unscramble as many words as they can. You could also divide the group into teams.
4. Draw Me a Baby Game - give each attendee a piece of paper and a pen. Ask them to draw a picture of a baby.  Sound too easy? The trick is they have to do it while holding the piece of paper on their heads, not on their laps. To make it a bit easier, provide an A4 size book to put under the paper.
   
   The guest of honour judges which picture she likes best or most resembles a baby.
5. Guess the Tummy Size - the object of this popular baby shower game is for the guests to estimate the size of the mother-to-be's waist. Pass around a ball of wool or kitchen string and a pair of scissors. Each person cuts of a piece of that she estimates will fit around the mother's waist, crossing over the belly button. It is a Rule that no one can put the wool or string around themselves or anyone else to help them guess. When everyone is finished, the mother-to-be wraps each string around her tummy and the closest length wins the game.
6. Memory Game - put 15 to 20 small items associated with babies on a tray. These should be items such as a bottle, dummy, baby sock, nappy, baby's brush, nappy rash cream etc. Give each of your guests a piece of paper and a pencil to write down their answers. Reveal the contents of the tray, telling the guests to memorize the items - no writing down anything yet and no touching of the items on the tray allowed! Leave the tray in position for one minute and then remove from the room. Give the guests five minutes to write down as many items as they can remember. The guest who gets the most items correct is the winner.   

An alternative to game playing is to have perhaps 2 beauticians on hand to give mini manicures, pedi's and back massages, although obviously this is a more costly option. 

Prizes?

Prizes don't need to be anything elaborate it's the fun of the game that counts. Perhaps a bottle of champagne (a blush one is fitting if the baby is a girl and everyone is aware of that), or some gorgeous chocolates. A double movie voucher is also a great idea, as is a scented candle.

Food and drinks?

After the first couple of games, why not offer some food to refuel everyone? Finger food is ideal rather than a full meal, unless you have arranged for the function to specifically be a lunch or dinner. This is where organizing a shower with a group of friends makes things easier - if you all bring 1 or 2 plates of food, it is really easy to manage.  Drinks can be whatever suits the time and season of the event.  A little champagne is always nice as it sets the celebratory mood.

Gifts?

Just like a bridal shower, gifts for Baby Showers do not need to be elaborate or expensive. If the mum-to-be has a gift registry, make sure you include details in the invitations. A mini eco Gift Registry is a great way to proceed especially for mums who feel strongly about not putting chemically processed textiles and toiletries on their baby. With a personal Registry consultant, rather than an automated system, we are always available to answer questions and advise on purchases. Alternatively, you could ask each guests to bring a gift representing a different area of baby's life (eg sleeping, wearing, feeding, playing, bathing, going out etc). That way there is less of a chance of the mum-to-be getting 20 of the same thing!

Once the food is finished, you could play 1 more game before ending the shower by asking the expectant mum to open her gifts. This is a chance for everyone to "goo" and "gah" over all the little outfits and toys! Some women may feel more comfortable opening the presents later - perhaps even after the birth. If this is the case, then everyone should respect her wishes and not push her to open the gifts then and there.

Some people like to give little gifts to the guests, to remember the event (like bonbonierre at a wedding) but really, we don't think it is necessary nor that people expect it. If you really want to, a little package of organza wrapped chocolates, or bunches of flowers would be lovely but people go to Baby Showers with a spirit of giving and good wishes, not to get something for themselves.

GUESS THE BABY RELATED WORD

The answers are (in order): blanket, bottle, hospital, formula, nappy, burb, caesarean, motherhood, high chair, maternity, breastfeeding, nursery rhyme, teddy bear, epidural, booties, bassinet, colic, stroller, car seat, milk, baby bath, teether, paediatrician, Braxton Hicks.

GUESS THE BABY PHOTO