Do you want to organize the ultimate baby shower but don't know where to start? No stress, we'll help you set up a super fun baby shower, with a guide for baby shower decorations and for baby gifts.
What is a baby shower?
A baby shower is a festive gathering organized in honor of mum to be to celebrate and pamper her before the new baby arrives. It's a special occasion where friends and family come together to show their love and support and provide practical items before the birth. While this tradition originally comes from the United States, it has gained popularity in Europe.
When's the best time to throw a baby shower in pregnancy?
Most baby showers are held during the third trimester of pregnancy, usually between 12 and 4 weeks before the due date. At this time, pregnant women are still comfortable enough to enjoy the party, and close friends can provide useful baby gifts before birth.
Your browser does not support the video tag. How to plan the perfect baby shower?
Choose a Date and Location:
Consult with the mum to be to find a suitable location and date before her due date. It can be at the new parents' home, a restaurant, or even a rented banquet hall.Compile a Guest List:
Invite friends, close family and co workers. Ensure that the invitations are sent out in a timely manner.Decide on a baby shower theme:
Choose a baby shower theme that suits the personality of the expectant parent. Decorate the venue with appropriate baby shower decorations such as balloons, streamers, and tablecloths.Activities and Fun Games:
Plan games that can create hilarious moments. Popular games include baby bingo, guess the baby food, and diaper-changing contests.Baby shower gifts:
Make a list of necessary baby shower gifts and share it with the guests to avoid duplicate gifts. More tips are provided below.
Can I throw myself a baby shower?
By the end of your pregnancy, things might be getting a little harder and you might not have as much energy left to add organising the baby shower to your to do list as well. Baby showers are usually organized by a close friend, a family member, or co workers of the mother to be. It's essential that the organizer understands the preferences of the mum to be and can plan a party that aligns with her taste and style with regards to baby shower decorations and the right baby shower theme. For example, if the mum to be likes cakes, tea parties are a good idea.
How do I choose the right baby shower venue?
Choosing the right location for the babyshower is crucial for creating fun and modern baby showers. Various factors can influence this choice. Having it at the home of the parents to be or of a family member can be an great idea, especially if you're looking for an intimate, low-key atmosphere baby shower party. For larger groups, reserving a restaurant or renting a banquet hall provides a stress free solution, often including catering and baby shower decorations that ensure a wow factor. If the parents to be enjoy surprises, a picnic in a park or a party at the beach is also possible. Regardless of the location, it's important to consider the wishes of the new parents and ensure that the chosen place is comfortable and accessible for family and friends.
Compile the Guest List! Who to Invite?
When creating the list of baby shower guests, it's important to invite friends and family close to the mother to be who play a significant role in her life. Traditionally, close family members and best friends are invited. However, modern baby showers also include their partners, making the celebration a more inclusive and shared experience. Inviting partners creates a friendly atmosphere and gives the parents to be the opportunity to celebrate the joy of this special occasion with their closest loved ones. Don't forget to include the dress code and a link to the list with baby gifts so that friends and family have all the information they need.
Useful Tips for Catering a Baby Shower
At a baby party in Europe, you can expect a delightful mix of sweet and savory food. A popular choice for baby showers is a afternoon tea or an extensive brunch with light and flavorful dishes. Here are some typical snacks served at a baby shower:
Finger Sandwiches:
Delicate sandwiches with various fillings, such as cucumber, egg and cress, smoked salmon, or chicken.Scones with Clotted Cream and Jam:
A classic addition to any British gathering, scones are served with clotted cream and jam.Mini Quiches:
Bite-sized quiches with different fillings, such as cheese and onion, spinach, or bacon.Fruit Platter:
Fresh fruit cut into bite-sized pieces or arranged on a platter for a refreshing and healthy option.Cake and Pastries:
A selection of cake, cupcakes, and pastries, often with special baby shower decorations.Tea and Coffee:
A variety of teas, including traditional English breakfast tea, and coffee to accompany the sweet treats.Mocktails:
Non-alcoholic co*cktails or mocktails for a festive touch without alcohol.Crisps and Nuts:
Bowls of crisps (chips) and nuts for guests to nibble on.Cupcakes:
Cute and decorated cupcakes, sometimes matching the baby shower theme.Cheese Platter:
An assortment of cheeses with crackers and perhaps some chutney.
Don't forget to ask for specific dietary preferences of the mother to be and guests on the invitations.
Have fun with baby shower games
Baby shower games add a playful and fun part to the party. Here are some games that keep guests entertained and enhance the festive atmosphere:
Babybingo:
Create bingo cards with words related to babies and pregnancy or baby pictures. Have guests fill in the cards as the expectant parents unwrap gifts. The first one to complete a row or card shouts 'Bingo!' and wins a prize.
Guess the Baby Food:
Remove labels from different baby food jars. Let everyone smell, taste, or look at them and guess the flavors. Most correct answers earn a fun reward.
Diaper Contest:
Compete in a diaper-changing contest in pairs. Give each participant a doll and a diaper, and see who can diaper the quickest and most accurately.
Baby Wishing Cards:
Have each guest write a wish for the future baby (boy or girl) on small cards. Collect the cards in a special box or book for the parent to be.
Baby Bottle Drinking Contest:
Fill baby bottles with juice or a drink of choice. Have guests drink from the bottles as quickly as possible, but without using a nipple.
Guess the Baby Photo:
Ask guests to bring baby photos of themselves. Don't forget to mention it on the invitations. Display the photos and let everyone guess which photo belongs to which guest.
Pacifier Hunt:
Hide small pacifiers around the party venue. Have guests search for them, and the one who finds the most pacifiers wins a prize.
These baby shower games add fun and interaction to the baby shower, making it a memorable experience for both the parents to be and the guests.
Make It Child-Friendly
When organizing a baby shower, consider making the event child-friendly. A baby shower is not only a celebration for the expectant mum but also an occasion for friends and family to come together. Making the gathering child-friendly, for instance including cake especially made for toddlers, ensures that other children feel welcome and involved.
Baby Shower Gift Tips
Gifts play a central role at a baby shower. Baby shower gifts not only provide practical benefits by supplying essential items for the soon-to-be parents, but opening gifts also adds to the joy and excitement of the party. It's common to create a gift list, including items like toys, baby clothes, bottles, and sometimes bigger gifts. This list is shared with the guests to prevent duplicate gifts, and guests can contribute to a joint gift if they wish. Some inspirational ideas include:
Diaper Cake:
A creative and practical gift made from diapers, baby wipes, and other useful items that will come in handy after birth.
Clothing Sets:
Cute and comfortable baby clothes are always welcome.
Travel Crib:
A practical and commonly used gift; we are fans of the AeroMoov AeroMoov camping crib, which can be versatile for play and sleep from 0 to 2.5 years.
Sleeping Bag:
Immediately after birth, every baby needs several cute swaddle sleeping bag (such as Piep from Puckababy), and the expectant parents will thank you for many good nights.
Teddy Bears and Blankets:
Soft teddy bears and warm blankets for the little one.
Baby Essentials:
Practical items like mattresses and car seats are often given by grandparents before birth. Our number one gift are the breathable mattress bundles from AeroSleep, including a mattress protector that ensures the baby can keep breathing all night long even if he/she rolls over on to the belly.
Hosting a Baby Shower for a Second or Third Child?
The question of whether to have a baby shower for a second or third child often elicits varied opinions. Traditionally, baby showers were mainly held for the first child, seen as a way to prepare expectant parents for parenthood and provide them with necessary baby essentials. However, in modern times, the acceptance of a fun baby shower for later pregnancies is growing. Some people see it as an opportunity to celebrate each pregnancy and support the parents to be again, while others believe it's more appropriate for the first child. Instead of traditional gifts, the gifts received for second or third children can focus on sharing experiences and advice, or they can be transformed into "sprinkle" parties with lighter festivities. Make sure to include this on the invitations.
Conclusion
A baby shower is a beautiful tradition that is becoming increasingly popular in Europe. It is an occasion full of love, joy, and support for the parents to be. With good planning, attention to detail, and creativity, a baby shower can be a wonderful experience for everyone involved. Enjoy celebrating new life and creating lasting memories!
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