Guidance for a Successful Baby Shower
Finding out you are pregnant is the best news of all. Well, second to hearing the grand proposal of a lifetime. After a successful wedding ceremony, hearing that your love has borne fruit is the icing on the cake.
For first-time expecting mothers, it is a difficult and herculean task to search and look for all the right stuff and equipment the baby will need.
Moms-to-be need to list down all the things the baby would need at the soonest possible time so that little by little, each item can already be purchased and readied for the baby’s arrival. But there is another easy way to almost have it all, without getting too much headache over it.
The solution is to hold a baby shower party! The only headache mom-to-be would have is the menu she would have to prepare on that day and that is easier for her.
Baby shower themes
Now the burden of searching and looking for baby stuff is passed on to the invitees. But another concern is raised. How will the baby shower go about? The best answer is to have a baby shower theme that would guide the flow of the baby shower.
There are several ways of choosing and deciding on a theme. Do you want it to be based on color? In case you already know the gender of the baby, pink or blue is used to universally represent a baby girl or a baby boy, or baby items such as a pacifier or a baby bottle.
How about character-themed baby showers such as the Sesame Street, Power Puff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, or the Looney Tunes? It could also be a time-of-the-day baby shower whereby each invitee is tasked to bring something the baby would need or use during that time of the day.
Baby shower gift ideas
Find fantastic baby gift ideas. Websites online suggest wonderful baby showers gift ideas such as a baby gift basket, a layette gift set, vital baby equipment, beautiful baby linen, a baby massage set, or a baby gift certificate. Each gift idea is unique.
For the baby gift basket, some ideas are to create your own baby gift basket or to go for the classical clothing baby gift basket where you can never go wrong.
You can also go for monogrammed baby gift baskets, fun baby baskets, mother and baby baskets, a gift basket for twins, or a pampering baby gift basket.
Once the baby shower is finished, take stock of what is already there and not. For those items still missing from your list, make the necessary arrangements to have them readily available once the baby arrives.
Last few baby shower tips for a successful baby shower:
Hold it four to six weeks before the due date, establish a theme, write down the guest list, set the tone and size of the baby shower, plan the games, plan the menu, create baby shower party favors, and last but not the least, set the time and location, if it will not be held in your residence.
Remember, baby showers are a fun way to welcome the baby that would be coming soon enough.
Baby Shower Etiquette
Baby showers have been very popular and are one tradition that almost all mothers-to-be from almost all countries practice.
Since the baby shower is not only gift-giving but also a social event. It is for this reason that some etiquette should be observed. These etiquettes may vary depending on your country but the following are the most common ones.
The best time to hold a baby shower is sometime before the birth. Usually, baby showers are held a month or two before the birth of the baby. Recently, some people practiced holding the baby shower a month or two after the birth.
Holding the party before the birth of the baby will give time for the mother to buy the items that were not given as gifts during the baby shower. Traditionally, a close friend of the new mom hosts the baby party. Relatives and co-workers can also host the event.
Baby showers are not only for first-born babies but also for subsequent babies. Every pregnancy is a reason to celebrate, so there is nothing wrong to throw a baby shower to subsequent babies.
It is just proper to give gifts that are related to babies. Neutral colors can be picked for gifts so that they will relate to either a boy or girl. It is best to choose gifts that can be useful and something that a baby may need every day like diapers, feeding bottles, bibs, and baby blankets.
For the host, it is okay to have games to break the ice but it is not required. Conversations, food, and drinks are the thing that should be considered. It would also be a nice idea to have a book where the guests can write on their notes and messages to the new mom. Usually, twenty people or more are invited but this will also depend on the number of people that can be accommodated in the venue.
Sometimes, they hold a small number before birth and a larger group after the baby is born. A baby shower is usually held during the weekend since that is the most convenient day for the visitors and would normally last two to three hours.
The time may be extended especially if everything is doing well. The person hosting should shoulder the expenses on food and other things. Ideally, the baby shower is held at the home of the person hosting the party.
The new mom would be informed since a pregnant woman is not fit for surprises. It is not necessary to have a special invitation printed. The host can buy stationeries or greeting cards with baby themes in bookstores.
It will also be a good idea to have the invitations sent at least three weeks before the party. This will give enough time for guests to RSVP. Do not forget to include the directions. A theme for the party is not that necessary but this adds life to a party.
Wearing costumes and decorating the venue gives a happy and celebrating atmosphere. It is only proper to welcome guests when they come and thank them when they leave. The host should always be present during the party and should be the one attending the guests.
Essentials Checklist For Baby Shower Supplies
To help you plan your or a friend’s baby shower, use this checklist to ensure you have all the supplies you need for a wonderful baby shower.
Printed cards
The invitation card is the primary element in the baby shower. It should carry the theme of the party to let the guests know what to expect. It will also guide them in buying the baby shower gift. Send the invitations at least a month in advance. Make sure to RSVP so you can plan against the right number of guests.
Depending on your budget, you may choose from a variety of invitations. The Internet offers such a variety, from the free and already printable to the online-purchased customized invitations. If you are computer savvy, you may use your home printer and desktop publishing software to create-your-own themed baby shower invitation.
While on the subject of invitation cards, prepare the thank you cards at the same time. Ensure that your theme emanates in the layout of the thank you card. Sending out thank you cards provides proper closure to the party and gives your guests a lasting memory of the fun they had.
Games and Activities
While your invitations are being produced, plan for the party activities. Games will enliven each activity and entice participation from the guests. Depending on your theme, choose the games that are suitable to the theme, or customize them to suit.
For example, the traditional bring me the game can be customized by asking to “bring me” pink-colored items, for a baby girl shower theme.
Prizes are as important in making the occasion memorable, so be prepared to give prizes to all game winners and sometimes, even participants.
Prepare or add on to this list as required by the activities that you have planned. Make sure that you have listed all the things needed to make the activity successful and to avoid last-minute paraphernalia substitutes.
Party Venue Set-up
As dictated by the theme, set up the party place accordingly. If it is a layette party, hang a clothesline all around the room and clip colored paper cutouts of baby clothes and stuff. For the Hollywood theme, copy the set-up by having a red carpet where guests will walk in.
Food and Drinks
The other half of a lively party is overflowing food and drinks. Make sure that as you finalize the number of guests, you are able to buy enough food and drink supplies for the headcount.
Buy an extra 10% more to make sure that hungry guests get their fill. Like the games and activities list, expand this section to include details on the supplies needed for your specific menu.
Baby Shower Souvenirs
Aside from the game prizes, give your guests a thank you token for attending and participating in the baby shower. Note that this is different from a thank you card, which will be sent to individual guests as a thank you for their gift. Thus, the guest who may not have brought gifts can still receive this baby shower souvenir.
It does not need to be expensive, especially if there are game prizes given out. Just be sure to have it in line with your theme to complete the effect.
Celebrate the coming of a newborn in an organized fashion. Use this checklist of baby shower supplies to plan for a successful baby shower.
Budgeted Baby Shower Supplies
Baby showers are a prelude to the miracle which is the birth of a newborn baby. It is this occasion where friends, family and other people who know the parents to be, are gathered together to give gifts and make this occasion memorable to everyone present.
The one who will host this event is usually a very close friend of the future mother. Such events are mainly for gift giving which makes it awkward for a family member of the mother to be the host for such an event. That person needs to start by talking to the mother and other members of the family about what kind of theme will be appropriate for the party.
The host can do the planning alone or brainstorm with friends in picking the right invitation then having it made by the printers. When that is finished, the other details after that should already be quite easily such as the food for the occasion, and the program for the party.
The party is determined by the gender of the baby and the supplies for the occasion depend on the theme of the baby shower.
These include the following:
A party for any occasion can never do without balloons. These can come in various colors, sizes, and shapes and are quite affordable. One can order these either online or in the nearest party store in the neighborhood and have them ready for pickup or delivery in a few days.
A nice-looking cake is another important thing that must not be missed out on for a baby shower. Just like balloons, this can be made in various colors or shapes symbolizing a cartoon character or any other thing that is the theme of the party.
A baby shower should always have games. When there are games, there are prizes and the host can get some gift certificates to be given away. The party can be formal or it can be a casual one where people who are a bit older have a chance to act like children again.
Partyware is available in various colors. One can get it at an affordable price which includes everything from the glass to the utensils and the plate itself. Since these are disposable, one can easily get rid of them when the party is over.
Streamers and ribbons for the party are also essential to fix up the venue for the baby shower. These come in rolls more than 50 feet long and can be purchased at a reasonable price.
Light and finger foods are usually served during baby showers so it won’t be that hard figuring out what snacks to get for the event.
The host can even make a baby shower registry so that the future mother will not get similar gifts from friends and family.
Given that most baby showers are limited to a small number of people, planning the budget before going out and buying the essentials will not be that much of a problem.
If one does not have enough time and is busy with other things such as work, one can enlist the help of friends and divide the labor or get the assistance of a professional. Most people who do this for a living, offer packages reducing the worry of some who have not done this before.
Baby Shower Poems Add vibrancy to Life
Poetry is such a vibrant means of communicating. It is one’s creative way of expressing emotion, intellect, and aspirations.
It is filled with sentiment and mirrors the individual’s true inner being. Such channel of expression is befitting an equally elating occasion: the anticipated arrival of a newborn. Here are ways of incorporating poems into the momentous event, the baby shower.
Invitation Poems
Poetry about babies can give the baby shower invitation added charm. Think of what it feels like to have a baby, the hope of anticipation, and the fulfillment of birth.
Include in the poem how you’d like those wonderful feelings to be shared with the guest being invited. Finally, to give the invitation a customized appeal, include the invitation details in the poem, carefully spreading the details, all throughout the verse, if possible.
Thank You Poems
Thank you poems are creative ways of expressing love and happiness for the future newborn.
With the upcoming occasion, there are many things to thank for: having God’s blessing in such a feeble form or having the support of family and friends while playing the waiting game. Mom-to-be can deliver the thank you poem. If it is a co-ed baby shower, the Dad-to-be can do the honors.
Another way of saying thank you is through the baby shower thank you card. This is sent to all guests who gave gifts for the occasion. Include a short rhyme on how blessed the baby is for having guardians as loving as the guest who sent the gift. Then end by thanking them for it.
Poems for Baby Shower Activities
It is unusual to have a baby shower and poetry reading in one, but it is an idea that can work among a very strong lyrical society.
Most poets are very comfortable in expressing and conversing in inverses, and if the future parents are poets themselves, then a poetry reading baby shower is not a bad idea. Who knows… they may be anticipating a future rhymester!
However, if you are like the rest of the world, incorporating poems is not impossible in the conventional baby shower. It actually adds an enriching dimension to the event that everyone can gain knowledge from.
Use rhymes to open and close the event, or when praising the Mom-to-be or future newborn. Riddles are also poems so use them in a game of treasure hunt or guessing game.
Cake Poetic Inscriptions
Since Verses and Rhymes is a good theme for a baby shower, why not include a line on the cake? Express how your future newborn is as sweet as the cake, or how much everyone, is lovingly waiting for the baby. Mom-to-be does the honor of articulating the cake inscription before cutting it.
Poetic Baby Shower Favors
A fundamental part of any baby shower is the party favors, both as prizes and memorabilia. This is a wonderful opportunity to incorporate poems!
For winning games, contests, or solving riddles, prizes can be awarded together with a poem about how remarkable the win was. The poetic party host can pronounce, in verses, how amazing the game was played and how miraculous the winner won. Lastly, prize recipients can give their own “thank you” verse or two.
As the guests leave, give them an inexpensive memento of the occasion, and as in the whole baby shower theme include a poem about how it was made special because of the guest’s presence.
Poems indeed, add more life to such a warmhearted occasion about giving life: the baby shower.
Baby Shower Graphics
Uses: Baby shower graphics can catch the attention of your guests. Baby shower graphics can give a hint or a suggestion to your invitation, about what the affair is all about and the theme of the affair. It is used in invitations to catch the reader’s attention. A baby shower graphic, without any wording, can provide a clear demonstration of the occasion. It gives beauty, attraction, and life to the invitation.
Your own printable baby shower invitations
Giving the invitation a design. Using a simple and easy-to-understand word processor such as Microsoft Word, decide on and pick the right dimension for your invitation after which you can print out a test on plain paper to make certain that the size is right.
Think of a theme, wherein all colors, designs, and graphics will be based on it. Look for and choose a card stock that appeals to your taste, so you can print on your invitations to it. Your local craft or office supply establishment has a variety of designs and they are very affordable too.
Remember to choose a paper with not much color in it, as then it would compete with the colors that you may have on your graphic. A simple lightly colored textured paper is best.
Using a word processor, insert text boxes; in the text box, type in the wording that you want on your invitation. Here, you can have choices as to what font and color to use. Do keep in mind to keep it simple. Do not be overwhelmed by all the colors you see. At the most, you should only use three colors as too much of it can make your invitation look more of a mess than what it really is.
On the net, many sites offer and provide baby shower graphics for free which you can readily use in your invitation. By searching for “free graphics” on any search engine the results will be plenty, and you will surely find a site offering free graphics.
All you have to do is to look at the graphics, choose one, then download and insert them into your invitation; you can change its position, resize it and place it in a position and location that you desire. If you plan to use the baby shower graphic as a background, it should not block the wordings on the invitation. Preferably, images set on a background must be watermarked.
Almost all word processors allow background images to be selected and choose them as watermarks. Need a catchy poem for your invitation? Do a search in the net once more for verses related to your invitation. For instance, you can search for “baby shower verse” and results are sure to come in.
It is important to save the original copy of your finished invitation and print it out. A sample on plain paper should first be printed in order to see what it looks like. If the results are good, you then can start printing and personalizing each invitation on a stock card. If you have no printer, you can save your file on a disk and bring the disk to your nearest local print shop to have the disk printed out.
The Magic Of Baby Shower Clip Art
Have a baby shower soon and planning to make your own invitations, decorations, or party favors? Then baby shower clip art is for you.
Putting baby shower clip art is the easiest and most affordable way to make your invitations, announcements, and even party favors more interesting.
They can help you design the perfect card, poster, flyer for the up-and-coming baby shower and the best part about using baby shower clip art is that you don’t need to be an artist to use them.
Aside from invitations and favors, you could also use baby shower clipart to create baby shower keepsakes and scrapbooking accents for you, your family, and your friends
There are many types of baby shower clip art. The range goes from the outrageously funny, irresistibly cute to the heartwarmingly sentimental. Of course on top of the list are drawings of babies in various positions.
You have babies alone, babies with bottles, babies with teddy bears, babies with blankets, or babies tucked in a cradle. You will find baby clip art pictures of babies with diapers, babies with no diapers, babies with a brother or sister, babies with a cute animal or pet, etc.
Everyone finds babies cute, cuddly, and adorable and everyone simply loves looking at baby pictures. Putting baby shower clip art in your wedding invitation or flyer is a wise decision since it will definitely attract attention.
Another good thing about baby shower clipart is that it is very easy to find and usually you can get them free of charge, and even if you have to pay a fee it is often very affordable. Also the money you shell out will definitely be worth it since baby shower clipart have hundreds if not thousands of uses.
The Internet is a treasure trove of baby shower clip art ready for you to download. There are literally thousands of available baby shower clipart on the world wide web. You wouldn’t have a hard time looking for them.
Whatever baby shower you are planning to do, for sure there is a baby shower clipart that is appropriate for it. That’s because there is a very wide category of baby shower clipart that contains different styles and designs that are perfect for any baby shower needs.
It doesn’t matter if the baby is a boy or a girl. For sure there is a baby shower clipart made specifically for each gender and there are many that are made for both.
The only real rule that you need to remember when using a baby shower clipart is to use a single theme all throughout your project. For example, your invitation and thank you notes should match so you must use the same style or design of baby shower clipart when making both.
Another rule is not to clutter your project with too many different baby shower clipart. Doing so would only make your project look messy. You must also pay attention to things like the color, size, and format of the baby shower clip art.
You must also learn how to experiment with sizes, colors, and themes. Put some clipart together and see what works for you. All you need is a little practice and patience and you’ll soon be creating your baby shower masterpiece.
Save money by using baby shower clip art. You don’t need to spend a fortune on baby shower invitations and favors. All you need is your creativity and some baby shower clipart and you’re ready to make the most memorable baby shower.
Baby Shower Clip Art Online
Hundreds of baby shower clip art drawings are widely available, with just one click on the Internet.
Primarily, you should know what type of clip art you are looking for. As in this case, when making a baby shower thank you card or invitation, the clip art that is needed is a baby shower clip art, so this is the type that you should look for in the net.
Clipart is all about copying and pasting the pre-existing drawings or images available on the net. These are illustrations that are already, for the most part, found in certain books having already entered into the public site for that actual purpose.
There are limitless logos, mascots, invitations, identity and business cards, and letterheads that are freely available. Moreover, there are no license term hassles. The electronic clip art that is available on the net is an extension of such a concept.
In clipart, all images are converted into digital form drawings on a low resolution being used for decorating and enhancing E-greetings and Invitations.
Clipart is intended for defining and outlining digitized illustrations and drawings, not photography.
There are various files that come in many sizes, shapes, and formats. Some of the prevalent formats are JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and TIFF. When in doubt about what format to use, choose to use JPEG, as this format is more or less compatible with almost all programs, thus can adjust easily to another format type.
The standard clipart is generally not a very precise and detailed drawing; the majorities are images or illustrations having very little detail or are called outline drawings. With this, the standard clipart is often used on documents on the web.
The baby clip art is an exciting way of enhancing your work with illustrations that you believe can make magic. Considered the cheapest, most affordable, and the most colorful way, they are available free and printable.
Software is available for making your own baby shower clipart; easy and convenient to use, it can convert or transform any of your favorite photos into a clipart
If you want to make your own baby shower clip art, the software is available for just that purpose. Most software is easy to use and can convert your pictures/snapshots into clipart quickly.
The internet offers a free massive collection of baby shower clipart illustrations that will be of use to enhance, give attention and beautify your own baby shower invitation, baby shower thank cards, and announcements.
Having this choice, you can save a lot, rather than having a made-to-order invitation from a store. With the availability of free clipart, you can now make an invitation the way you want it to be, without sacrificing your budget.
One does not need any artistic skills for this. You can choose to purchase a better-featured clip art from the web; though it isn’t necessary, as there is countless free clipart provided for you on the net. You just have to know where to look.
Before each printout is made, do not waste your cardstock by printing it immediately.
Instead, do a proof print first, using black and white ink on plain paper, or change your printer setting to draft or economy and do the proof print this way. The printer will use less ink, and you will see the actual result, making sure that everything is at the right place, before proceeding to the final printing of your very own baby shower invitation.
Baby Shower Favors
[wpas_products keywords=”baby shower best sellers”]
Photo by Filip Mroz