Diaper Raffle
Diapers and baby wipes are two items that parents go through the most. Newborns can go through 8-12 diapers per day! Baby shower activities don’t necessarily have to be baby shower games. Holding a diaper raffle at the baby shower is a great way to help mommy and daddy stock up the nursery.
There are two ways to hold a diaper raffle at a baby shower. First, sell raffle tickets at the baby shower and have the proceeds go towards diapers. Another way to hold a diaper raffle is to ask guests to bring a pack of diapers or baby wipes to the shower. Let them know that any guest who brings such items will be entered into a raffle. You should let guests know when you send the invitations. You can write this information on the invitation itself or include it on a separate slip of paper.
Regardless of how you hold the raffle, you need to have at least one prize. For larger showers of 30 or more you should have two or more prizes.
A Star is Born Baby Shower Theme
A Star is Born is a popular Baby Shower theme. Why not put a Hollywood Movie twist on it? You can create invitations that look like movie tickets or a movie poster with phrases like: “Coming soon to a baby crib near you” or “Making his or her appearance in (month baby is due)”. You can create baby diaper raffle tickets which look like movie tickets using Microsoft Word & some clip art. Favors can be anything shaped like stars - soaps, candles, notepads, cookies, etc. Purchase popcorn bags or boxes, fill with packing papers and top with fancy tissue paper or shred, put the favors in the popcorn bags or boxes. Make a star cookie bouquet in the popcorn box as a centerpiece. A Star is Born is a popular diaper cake theme.
It can be easy to get carried away with the Hollywood movie theme. Use aspects of this theme, but remember you are focusing on the star of the movie who is the baby.
Luau Baby Shower Games
Here are a few ideas on how to turn traditional baby shower games into luau themed baby shower games.
- Lei “Don’t Say Baby!” Game - As guests arrive greet them with a friendly “Aloha” and place a lei made of flowers (fake or real), shells, or feathers around their neck. When you are ready to play the game tell the guests that they cannot say the word baby. If someone catches you saying baby that person takes your lei. The person with the most leis by the end of the game wins. You can set a time for the game, such as during gift opening time, or it can last the entire shower.
- Limbo Contest- Some of your guests may not be up for playing this game, but a limbo contest is a great idea for a co-ed or outdoor baby shower.
- Aloha Bingo - You can actually find Hawaiian themed bingo cards. Do a Google search for “Aloha Bingo Game” to find retailers selling the cards. Party supply stores may also carry them.
- Onesie Decorating - Purchase fabric markers and different sized onesies. Have your guest decorate the onesies keeping with the Luau or Hawaiian theme. Think Hibiscus Flowers, Surf Boards, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Hula Dancers, or even a Hawaiian Shirt! The possibilities are only limited by your guests’ creativity.
- Cookie Decorating - Bake Hawaiian themed cookies - Hibiscus or Orchids, Hawaiian Shirts, Surf Boards, etc. Have your guests decorate the cookies with icing. Mommy to be can choose the best cookie(s). Everyone can enjoy the cookies!
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!
Swaddling May Help Sleep
When baby is having trouble sleeping swaddling may help. A tight swaddle may help re-create a womb-like feeling. Swaddling may help baby sleep up to at least 4 months of age. Babies can be swaddled in a regular blanket or you can purchase a special swaddling blanket.
Create an Early Love of Reading Books
Just because babies can’t read doesn’t mean they can’t love books. Books serve a number of purposes:
- increase development & early reading skills
- provide more bonding time with parent/grandparent/siblings/etc & baby
- create a love of reading
There are books which contain classic collections, such as Winnie the Pooh or a Nursery Rhymes book, which are beautiful but very large and heavy. Board books or soft books are easier for baby to handle themselves. Some even come with rattles attached. You want books that have bright pictures, rhyming schemes or easy words so baby can follow along.
If you are planning a shower you may want to have a baby book wishing well. On the invitation write “Bring a baby book to build baby’s library.” At the shower have a special container, a basket or canvas tote, for the books. This container can also double as book storage.
If you are attending a shower or welcoming baby home from the hospital, create a baby book gift basket. Fill a basket with an assortment of baby books and a small plush toy.
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.
5 Must Have Items for Baby
Sure, there are lots of things baby needs. Here are 5 must haves to keep baby safe while sleeping and bathing.
- A safe crib. While bassinets & cradles offer convenience in terms of keeping baby close to you or conserving space there are only voluntary safety standards that regulate them. Cribs have mandatory safety standards set by the federal government.
- A firm mattress. Decorative items such as pillows, bumper pads, blankets and toys should not be in the bed while baby is sleeping.
- Swaddling blanket or sleepsack. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you. Overdressing baby at bedtime increases the risk for SIDS.
- Pacifier - Silicone last longer. Silicone pacifiers are also better because babies could develop a sensitivity to or allergy to latex.
- Baby bath with a sling. This helps you keep your grip on baby while you wash him.
Developmental Toys
You know what they say - simpler is often better. This can be said with developmental toys. With competition rising to create toys that make your child smarter the best ones are tried and true. Forget flashing lights and lots of noise. Try stacking rings or chunky blocks. These toys are great to sharpen grabbing and hand-eye coordination by stacking the rings or blocks. Most children will be able to play with blocks or stacking rings between the ages of 8 months and 12 months. Be sure to purchase blocks or stacking rings with large pieces to avoid choking if baby puts the item in her mouth. Many companies make plush blocks or rings in beautiful colors or with stimulating mirrors, textures and designs.