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Oh Baby! A Modern Guide to Baby Showers

 

Forget all you know about baby showers. They’ve changed since your grandmother’s day. In the 50s and 60s, when showers first became popular, they were focused around the idea of “showering” new moms with baby gifts. Today’s baby showers are less about gifts and more about celebrating and nurturing the expectant family in ways that are meaningful to them.

Modern baby showers can be co-ed, held in the evening, or center around the spiritual nature of motherhood. They can be chic and elegant, eco-friendly or practical. The most memorable showers complement the style, spirit and wishes, of the mother- or parents-to-be.

Whether you’re planning a traditional baby shower or something more progressive, our guide to shower themes, invitations and etiquette will help you plan the perfect event.

 

Beyond the Stork: Baby Shower Themes for Modern Parents

Storks, Noah’s Ark, and blue and pink, are classic baby shower motifs, but there are many imaginative and trendy themes to consider when you plan. Think about your guest of honor and be creative. Is she environmentally-minded? Give her a “green” shower. Could she use some pampering? Hire a masseuse to give massages at the party. Need more ideas? Check out our list of hip and innovative themes.

Chic and Elegant Options 

· High Tea. Find a hotel or tea room in your city and have afternoon tea, or host a tea party in your home. Serve a selection of sweets and fine teas with tags attached that say “Something’s Brewing.”

· Little Prince/Little Princess. A trendy, sophisticated alternative to plain pink and blue. Perfect for an elegant, evening affair.

· Spa Party. Arrange for pedicures, facials or massages for the mother-to-be and guests. A pretty bag with a scented candle and bottle of lotion inside make an indulgent favor.

· Sunday Brunch. A nice alternative for a couples shower. Serve hearty egg casseroles, salmon and mimosas.

Traditional Options

· Storybook. Guests bring a favorite storybook to start Baby’s library.

· Classic Nursery. Match invitations, plates and napkins, decorations and favors with the baby’s nursery theme or colors (e.g., Peter Rabbit, ABCs, Mother Goose, the seasons)

Creative and Practical Options

· Scrapbooking. Friends and family create scrapbook pages for the new mom to record all of Baby’s important milestones. Hire an expert in the art to lead the activity and help those less experienced.

· Bring-a-casserole. What sleep-deprived mom wouldn’t be grateful for a freezer-full of delicious oven-ready food? This type of shower is ideal for the second- or third-time mom who doesn’t need baby items.

· Helping the New Family. Guests present “coupons” to help parents after the baby is born with lawn mowing, meals, and babysitting older children. This is another great option for second or third (or more) babies.

Progressive Options

· Earth-friendly. Request no gift wrap and send guests home with seeds to plant.

· Blessingway. Guests share positive stories of motherhood, light candles in a ritual, and bring beads for a necklace that the mother will wear during labor. Belly casting is a popular activity for this type of shower.

· Cultural Traditions. Incorporate global customs that affirm childbirth and motherhood. In India, for example, pregnant women are given bangles that they wear during labor to give them strength and courage. 

The Perfect Invitation Sets the Tone

After all the thought you’ve given to decorations, activities and hors d'oeuvres, don’t cut corners when it comes to invitations.

Unlike commercial fill-in-the-blank invitations or impersonal e-vites, a one-of-a-kind baby shower invitation from Lil Sweet Prince sets the tone for the party and gets guests excited about coming. It’s as special and unique as the mother-to-be you are honoring.

Ordering invitations is fun and stress-free. Just follow these simple steps:

1) Pick a layout. Lil Sweet Prince offers a hip collection of pre-designed baby shower invitations to match any theme and style, from contemporary to elegant to sweet. All are printed on high-quality cardstock in your choice of size (5x5 or 5x7) and finish (standard semi gloss, glossy, linen or pearl).

Are you hosting a chic little prince or little princess shower? Consider Lil Sweet Prince’s signature royal crown invitations in pink and blue. Or choose their elegant Latte style for a chic luncheon at a local bistro. If you can’t find exactly what you are looking for, Lil Sweet Prince will custom design an invitation for you.

2) Choose your colors. In our time, you’re not limited to pink and blue! Lil Sweet Prince’s invitations are available in today’s trendiest hues, such as chocolate brown, plum, olive, cream, yellow, and apple green. These non-gender specific colors are also ideal for families waiting until the birth to find out their baby’s gender.

If you are planning the shower around certain colors, say, the baby’s nursery, you can use the same color palette for the invitations. And if you like a particular layout but not the color, Lil Sweet Prince will be happy to change it for you.

3). Add text. Opt for a simple “Please join us in celebrating mom-to-be…” and her name, rather than flowery, cutesy, or clichéd sayings. Remember to include:

· The expectant mom’s name

· Date and time of shower

· Location

· RSVP information (name, telephone number/e-mail address, deadline date)

· Registry information (optional)

You may also include the hostess’s name, whether the baby is a boy or girl, and the baby’s name (if known)—check with the mom-to-be first. Browse Lil Sweet Prince’s gallery of shower invitations for wording ideas.

Get Planning

Hosting a baby shower can be fun and exciting, but it can also be nerve-racking as you consider the expectant mom, her style and expectations. Does she want a chic, sophisticated affair? A casual girls’ night out? Or a couples cookout? Even the simplest, no-frills baby shower requires advance planning. Get started at least two months ahead of time to keep from feeling overwhelmed. Our checklist can help.

Two Months Before

· Pick a date and time that works for the expectant family (keep in mind the baby’s due date)

· Choose a theme

· Reserve a venue if you are hosting the party outside a private home (e.g., restaurant, park pavilion, garden)

· Compile a guest list; ask the mother-to-be who she would like to invite

· Design and order invitations 

One Month Before

· Mail invitations—give guests two weeks to RSVP

· Come up with games and prizes, if desired

· Order favors, flowers, party supplies and decorations

· Hire a cleaning service to come in the day after the shower if it will be held at the expectant family’s home

Two Weeks Before

· Purchase paper goods (plates, cups, napkins)

· Decide on a menu and make a grocery list, or order food to be catered

· Order the cake

· Purchase a guest book for guests to sign at the shower

One Week Before

· Call guests who have not yet responded

· Put an itinerary together—when to serve food, open gifts etc. (consult mother-to-be if appropriate)

· Confirm reservations if the shower is being held outside the home

· Clean your home if you are hosting the shower there 

Two or Three Days Before

· Purchase food

· Prepare dishes that can be made ahead

· Start decorating

The Day Before

· Prepare the party area by cleaning and rearranging furniture as needed

· Finish decorating

· Pick up the cake, flowers etc.

· Charge your video camera and put fresh batteries in your digital camera

The Morning Of

· Set up food, beverages, cake and games, if desired

· Arrange flowers and set the table

· Decide where the mother-to-be will sit while opening gifts

· Have a notebook ready to record gifts received

· Put the guest book out for guests to sign

After the Shower

· Share digital photos and video with the expectant family

· Transport gifts to where they belong

· Help the mom-to-be with thank you notes and other post-party tasks. Order matching thank you cards from Lil Sweet Prince with your invitations

Baby Shower Etiquette for the Twenty-First Century

Some social dos-and-don’ts around baby showers haven’t changed since the 50s—it’s still considered tacky to host your own baby shower—while others, such as inviting men, have relaxed. Here, we answer your thorniest etiquette questions.

My friend is pregnant with her second child. Can I throw her a shower?

Yes. It is perfectly acceptable to have a baby shower for each child, not just the first, especially if the expectant mother is starting a second family, several years have passed since her last child was born, or she is expecting her first girl or boy.

If the family already has everything they need for taking care of a newborn, consider having a casserole or spa party (see our list of themes above) or indicate “no gifts, please” on the invitation. The most important thing is to celebrate the beginning of a new life.

Can I host a baby shower for someone who is not an expectant mom, such as a grandmother-to-be or a dad?

It’s a wonderful idea to host a shower for a new grandmother, especially if she will be taking care of the baby in her home and needs basics, such as diapers, toys, a play yard, etc.

A dad who is not in a relationship with the mother and who will have the baby as part of a visitation agreement (e.g., weekends, overnight) will appreciate infant care items, too, along with the loving support of his friends and family.

Expectant families today can be single parents, gay couples, adoptive parents, non-married couples, custodial grandparents—all deserve a special party to celebrate the new child in their lives.

I want to host a baby shower for a girlfriend who is adopting. What are some guidelines to follow?

First, ask the adoptive parents when they would like to have the shower. If the adoption is not yet final, they probably will want to wait until it is completed and the baby is home. Even then, they may want to spend time bonding with their new child.

It’s important to be sensitive to the wishes of the adoptive parents as you move forward. Once the family is comfortable with the idea of a shower, plan it as you would any baby shower, making sure to consult the parents in areas such as the guest list, invitation wording, and gift considerations (sizes to fit older children, etc.). If the child was adopted internationally, think about using her country of origin as a theme.

My sister is expecting her second child and she needs diapers and a double stroller. Is it OK to ask for diapers or money (to buy the stroller) in the invitation?

It’s never appropriate to ask for specific gifts or money in invitations. You may indicate on the invite where the mother is registered (some moms have been known to register only for diapers). Or let guests who call know that she needs diapers or is saving for a double stroller.

Can I invite men to the shower?

Absolutely! Many of today’s dads want to be included in the festivities and there is a trend now toward co-ed or couples baby showers. Bear in mind that the standard baby shower games, like guess mom’s tummy size, might not appeal to guys. That doesn’t mean you have to plan a Super Bowl-themed shower either—though some couples have. Some ideas for couples include backyard barbeques, brunches, or cocktail-style parties.

Can I include registry information on the invitation?

Yes. Including this saves time because guests don’t have to call the hostess for ideas or to find out where the expectant mom is registered.

Is it OK not to open gifts at a baby shower?

The decision to open gifts after the party is over is up to the expectant mother and her hostess but keep in mind that many guests enjoy this part of the shower—they love to ooh and ahh over the sweet little baby outfits. To keep things moving, ask helpers to hand the mom-to-be gifts, record what she receives, and replace gifts back in their boxes, assembly-line fashion.

An alternative is to ask guests to bring unwrapped gifts and display them on a table at the party for everyone to see. This works well for couples showers.

Few events in life are as eagerly anticipated as the birth of a baby. It’s an exciting, life-changing, emotionally poignant occasion for first-time and experienced parents alike. The designers at Lil Sweet Prince, who are blessed with their own babies, love to create extraordinary baby shower invitations for extraordinary mothers-to-be. Contact Lil Sweet Prince to get started today!