To Open or Not to Open - Baby Shower Gift Opening Etiquette
If you have a large number of guests opening gifts can be time consuming. I recently attended a baby shower with 35 guests. It took my friend a little over an hour to open her gifts. If you are concerned about gift opening taking up too much time or interrupting your guests fun - don’t be.
First, your guests will continue to chatter and eat throughout the gift opening process. If they seem like a shy bunch encourage them to help themselves to food while mom to be is opening her gifts. Second, make a game out of opening her gifts. Either play the “Don’t Say Baby” game with pacifier necklaces or baby gift bingo.
The majority of your guests want to see what mom to be received. Baby gifts are so adorable - who wouldn’t want to see them.
Baby Shower Ideas for Second or Third Child
Well, this isn’t really a traditional baby shower. If mom already has all the basic items she needs for baby we have two ideas for a baby shower for her:
- Diaper Shower - Newborns use 8-12 diapers per day. That’s a lot of diapers. Ask baby shower guests to bring a package of diapers or baby wipes. Ask for sizes 2 or higher since babies move through sizes Newborn or 1 pretty quickly.
- Pot Luck Shower - Ask guests to bring a cooked, freezable meal to get mom to be through a few weeks after baby is born. If guests haven’t already done so, label the items with masking tape and a marker as you receive them. Add the contents of the dinner and the date.
What to write in a baby shower invitation
When writing your baby shower invitations you should have the facts:
- Who is the baby shower for?
- When? (shower date & time)
- Where? (location information)
- Who is the shower hosted by
- RSVP information, including name, phone number, and RSVP By date
- Registry information
Some people are uncomfortable adding registry information directly on the invitation. If you prefer not to add it on the invitation you can insert a slip of paper with registry information on it. This also applies for other activities you may be having, such as a diaper raffle or the guess who game.
Of course you can add little poems if you are printing invitations on a computer. Such as “A Baby Shower in Honor Of” or “Bottles and Booties, Diapers and Pins, This is where the Love Begins!” You can purchase paper to coordinate with your baby shower theme.
When to have a baby shower
A baby shower should be held 4-6 weeks before the baby is due. You want to leave enough time for mom and dad to be to buy any necessary items before baby is born. You also don’t want to schedule a baby shower too close to the due date in case baby decides to arrive early.
Planning the Best Baby Shower
There are two things to focus on when planning a baby shower: organization and details. Organization is key - without it you may forget some important items for the shower. I am a fan of lists. Make a guest list; a list of party items (decorations, games, prizes, favors, etc); menu; etc. Organization can also help make planning a baby shower less stressful on the host.
Details bring those special touches that will make this baby shower a memorable occasion. Details include choosing baby shower favors and game prizes, menus, and decorations. Details for mom to be are important too. Make sure she has comfortable seating, that there is food that she likes, or even buying her thank you cards and pre-addressing the envelopes.
You don’t need a big how to guide on how to host a baby shower. If you know mom to be and her likes then all you need to do is trust your instincts. If you need a baby shower planning checklist you can receive one by signing up for our monthly newsletter here. Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for the newsletter.
Baby Shower Wishing Well
Wishing wells are frequently seen at bridal showers. Why not have one at a baby shower? Instead of having a wishing well with random items ask your baby shower guests to bring a baby book to the shower. We all know how important it is to read to kids and there is no reason why it should start when they are babies. This baby shower wishing well idea will give the parents of baby a head start building baby’s library.
What to write on the baby shower invitation
When writing the invitation you want to include the wishing well information near the gift registry information. For example, your registry information may read like this (usually at the bottom of the invitation after the Who, What, When, Where & RSVP info):
Mommy to Be is Registered at:
Babies ‘R Us
Baby Book Wishing Well:
Bring a Book for Baby’s Library
Creating the Baby Shower Wishing Well
To create the wishing well itself depends on the theme and function. Personally, I am a fan of using items that can be reused later. Therefore, I tend to use things like wicker laundry baskets, canvas totes (or boxes), plastic storage containers, etc. If something isn’t very pretty, such as the plastic storage container, you can always cover it in fabric. You can purchase baby themed fabric at a craft or fabric store. Use an iron on fusible web to create hems, or clean edges on the fabric. You can attach the fabric to the plastic container using hot glue or double stick tape.
Buying a baby book for a wishing well
So you’re not hosting a baby shower but you want to buy a baby book to give as a wishing well gift. Look for books with different textures, colors, mirrors, etc. You also want a board book, or a canvas or cloth book so baby can safely put the book in his or her mouth without being injured. Typically, wishing well gifts are not gift wrapped. You can add a colorful ribbon if you would like.
5 Baby Shower Decorating Ideas
Decorations turn an everyday room into an occasion. Decorating for a baby shower doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Keep things simple and stick to a theme. Themes can be colors, animals, baby items or decoration themes. Having too many themes at your baby shower will make it seem unorganized. Colors work well with other themes. For example, pink & green colors with a frog theme.Let us first focus on the tables. Whether a buffet table, a table for your guests to sit at or a gift table, you will need to cover them with fabric or plastic table covers. While I am not opposed to plastic table covers, make sure they are thick enough so you can’t see through to the table below. Fabric table covers can be expensive, especially if you have a lot of tables. Most party rental stores will rent fabric table covers.
Now that your tables are covered you can decorate them. Centerpieces create a focal point on the table. I went to a baby shower where they had a round table with a 5” high by 4” wide centerpiece. The table was 60” so it looked so empty. Take the size of your table into consideration. You can purchase something that mom to be can use such as a baby sock bouquet or diaper cake. You can have your favors as a centerpiece such as a lollipop bouquet or create a ring of favor bags or candles. Other table decorations, such as confetti, are optional.
If you are catering your baby shower make sure you put out plates, napkins, cups, and utensils. If you are using disposable plates and utensils make sure they will be sturdy enough so they won’t break.
I love balloon bouquets. All you need are some latex balloons. Bunch them up in groups of 5-6 balloons. Mix up the colors – pink & green, pink & white, blue & yellow, blue & white, etc. You can even substitute a Mylar baby shower balloon for one of the latex balloons. Weigh down the balloon bouquet with a balloon weight. Balloons, ribbon and balloon weights can be found at most party supply stores. Place balloons strategically around the room. I have to say that I’m not a fan of balloons on the floor. You run the risk of someone tripping on them and hurting themselves.
Walls can be decorated with baby shower banners or homemade posters of baby pictures of guests, mommy to be or daddy to be.
Decorating for a baby shower can be easy, inexpensive and fun. Be creative, keep things simple and enjoy your baby shower!
Baby Shower Planning Inspiration
I was shopping at our Babies ‘R Us store for my aunt’s baby shower and I was amazed at all the new items for baby. While looking at the new bedding styles it hit me - this is perfect inspiration for baby shower themes. Not only can you take cues from mom to be’s registry - see what colors or themes she chose - but there are so many options, colors, animals, you name it. If you are stuck for some baby shower theme ideas I suggest taking a trip to your local baby store. Personally, I think it is a better experience in person rather than online. You are bound to find some inspiration in a baby store.
Inviting Children to Baby Showers
The focus of a baby shower should be on mom-to-be. When you invite children the focus for some guests changes to caring for the child. For pre-teens and teenagers a baby shower may not be fun or interesting for them. You don’t want them to be left with the impression that baby showers are boring. They can be quite fun - for adults. With all this said there are just some times that you will have to allow parents to bring children. This is especially true when child care cannot be arranged or if the child is a niece or nephew of the guest of honor.
If you invite children you MUST have some activities for them. Decorating onesies would be a great idea for older children. Fabric markers and paints are available at craft stores. Just remind older children to keep the pictures baby friendly. With the internet, cable and satellite tv and movies it boggles my mind as to what children and teens find appropriate. You can also find games similar to pin the tail on the donkey, such as Pin the Pacifier on the Baby. Activities don’t have to be baby related. You can also set up a cupcake bar where the kids ice and decorate their own cupcakes.
You can also arrange for “in-house” daycare. Hire a babysitter to watch the children in another room of the location where the shower is taking place. This person can keep kids occupied with games and activities. Then their parents can focus their attention on the baby shower knowing that their child is being cared for in the next room.
Christina
Easy Baby Jar Favors
You can create easy baby shower favors using baby jars. Remove labels from jars, empty jars and clean jars and lids thoroughly. If possible clean in a dishwasher. Fill jars with candy, potpourri, bath salts, etc. You can find pastel colored candy during Easter season. Pastel colors are usually associated with baby showers. Close lid, cover with a piece of fabric and tie with a pretty ribbon.
Happy Spring!!
Christina