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Last Updated on March 4, 2024
If you have a sibling, cousin, or other loved one expecting a baby shortly, you may be tasked with planning the best baby shower. With the spring months ahead, this is a great time to host showers, but you have a few things to review before the big day. Baby showers are also good for families who are using a surrogate. The surrogate process can take 12 to 13 months and that includes the parents as well. Follow these tips below to help you plan for the best baby shower.
Choose the Date and Location
Depending on when your loved one is due, you want to plan a shower at least a month from the due date. Usually, having one between 34 and 36 weeks is pretty average. You’ll want to look for a central location that is easy for guests and your guest of honor. Consider locations like church fellowship halls, local event venues, or private rooms in a centralized restaurant. The U.S. has 156,715 one-location full-service restaurants as of 2023 to choose from!
Build the Guest List
Once you know where and when you’re having the baby shower, you must build a guest list. Most lists will include your loved one’s family members, friends, and coworkers so that everyone comes to the party. You want a place where the gifts can be collected, and the guests can gather and socialize. However, If anyone makes your loved one uncomfortable, they shouldn’t be invited. Take a quick look through friends lists on social media to ensure you haven’t missed someone important.
Make Sure The Registry Is Established
Your loved one should build a registry with an online company, or with one of the big box stores so that guests know what to buy for the shower. With babies, they can have preferences in items and clothes, and the registry is a great place to get that information. Once you have the registry, make sure it is public and accessible.
Send Out Invitations
The next step is to send out the invitations to those on the guest list. On the invite, it includes the location, time, date, and the registry link for gifts. It is a good idea to ask folks if they’re coming to the event with an RSVP. You can have them send a quick text to you so you can do a final headcount.
Purchase Decorations
The next step is to go with decorations for the baby shower. It is most common to use the same theme as the nursery for the baby shower. You can get items you need at dollar stores and through online retailers. Go with a gender-specific theme, or opt for colors that aren’t gender specific. If you’re hosting it in a more rustic setting, you can use some of the decor in the barn to add to the setting up. About 18% of couples choose to hold their wedding ceremony in a rustic barn, and a similar theme will follow at their baby showers.
Establish a Food Budget
Once you know how many guests are planning to show up, you can establish a food budget to help you prepare for the event. You don’t have to serve full meals at baby showers since they are only a couple of hours long either in the morning or afternoon. Budget for finger foods and snacks for those in attendance.
Now that you’ve gone through the different steps, you are ready to prepare for the upcoming baby shower. You want to start this process a few months early so that you aren’t scrambling for a location at the last minute and so everyone has enough notice about the event. Make sure you follow these steps so you don’t miss anything during preparation.
