Are you feeling just a bit overwhelmed by planning a wonderful baby shower for your pregnant friend or relative? You do want it to be special and successful so you might be worried that you will forget something or that some important detail will be overlooked. 

You might be wondering what food to serve, what games to play, or if you need to plan the shower using a particular theme. There are many little details that go into planning the perfect baby shower so we have put together some helpful suggestions to guide you through the planning stages of this exciting event.

Themes

You certainly don’t have to use a theme but they can be helpful in planning the shower. Themes will make planning the games, gifts, favors, and food a little easier and more organized.

First, look at your guest list, taking into consideration how many guests there will be, as well as their ages and personalities. For small groups, personal themes can work effectively. But if you are expecting a large number, it might be easier to use one of the following themes:

Better Baby Shower – showers following this theme will be focused on contributing to the baby’s intellectual development – use red, white, & black for food and decorations.

Warm and Fuzzy – showers using this theme will involve personal stores and advice from friends and family members to the expectant mother.

Spa Day – showers organized around this theme will be for the mother’s relaxation and enjoyment (will include massages).

Jack & Jill – showers following this theme will include the expectant father in all the fun – plan a BBQ with this theme.

Invitations

Develop your invitations using your chosen theme concept.

Some tips:

Use suckers to decorate invitations.

Fold invitations in baby shapes (diapers, etc.).

Enclose instructions with invitations (to the guests) telling them what the theme is so they can bring theme-related gifts.

Games

Personal videos – get long-distance friends and/or relatives (who can’t come) to videotape themselves, delivering a special heartfelt message to the expectant mother.

Advice – have guests write “baby” advice on index cards – put them in an envelope and give to the expectant mother to read after she gives birth.

Bingo – play bingo but use baby-related words instead of number or letters.

Food and Favors

Make pacifier necklaces (out of candy).

Wrap candy in napkins folded in baby shapes (diapers, etc.)

Make all the food theme-based.

Bake unique “baby” cake (using baby shapes, depicting a baby, or depicting a pregnant woman).

Gift Ideas

Certificates for a local photographer.

Clothes ranging in size from newborn to 12 months.

Diapers in various sizes and brands.

Magazine subscription (to some type of parenting magazine).

Store gift certificates (useful for buying those things that no one thinks about).

Babysitting IOU’s and gift certificates.