when is a good time to have a baby shower?

Question

i am 14 weeks pregnant and nearly engaged, and i was wondering when would be a good time to

1/ plan the baby shower
2/ have the baby shower

and also this is my 1st pregnancy (obviously) and i have never been to a baby shower, what types of things should i do and buy? and how do i prepare for such a big event?

thank you so much

Answer 1

First of all.....recruit good friends and family members to throw the shower for you. It's in better taste to have someone THROW YOU the shower....versus throwing yourself one! Be involved....but have someone else host it, pay for it, and be the contact for RSVP!!

Second....allow about six weeks to plan. The first week to pick invites, register, and decide on a theme. Send invites out five weeks before. Order any specialty items about a month out (diaper cake, specialty bakery cake, banners, etc.). Call all people who have not RSVP'd ten days out so you can get a proper head count...games and planning goes better when you know how many people to expect!!

The 7th month is the most traditional time to have the shower....about eight weeks before baby arrives!!

Here is a good plan:

Six weeks Out: Register and put together a guest list.

Five weeks out: Send out invites (but don't put registry info in the invites....people will call the contact number if they want to know where you are registered. It is not good form to include this in the invites!!)

Four weeks out: Order any specialty items

Three weeks out: Start putting together favor bags, prizes, and any home-made decorations. Start getting games together....and planning out a specific menu. Purchase paper plates and napkins to match your theme (if you are going with the disposable baby-shower themed party pack route).

Two weeks out: Call and inquire for those that have not RSVP'd so as to get an acurate head count.

One week out: Thoroughly clean the home where the shower will be held (if being held in a home)

Two days before: Have all favors nicely set aside, have all prizes nicely set aside, have decorations organized and ready to be put out.

One day before: Touch up cleaning, decorate, purchase food items (veggie platter, finger sandwiches, punch, bottled water).

The day of: Put out all food, make punch, buy balloons to decorate with. Have a gift table set up that is decorated with, perhaps, a diaper cake?? Estimate how much time it will take you to finish up the setting-up and then add 90 minutes to that so you don't feel rushed!!

Schedule at the shower: (let's say it is scheduled from 2-4:30)

1:45-2:30: Guests arrive, mingle, write notes to the baby as they put their gifts on the table (See my link below for this "Letters To The Baby" activity!!) Offer refreshments and show guests where the food and bathrooms are!!

2:30-3:30: Activities. Play some old favorites as well as some nice sentimental games. Have more than enough set up and ready to be played....but be prepared to not get to them all!!

3:30-4:00: Open gifts

4:00-4:30: Cake and coffee!!


The key is to keep it loose, casual, yet have activities ready to keep it going. Be perceptive to your guests....if they aren't excited about the "Eating baby food and guessing game" they aren't going to be excited about the "Eating chocolate candy bars out of a diaper and guessing game!!". Be prepared to substitute games to appease your guests and keep everyone happy!!


Have fun....and really try to recruit your close freinds and family to do this FOR YOU!!!

Congratulations!!

.

Answer 2

Being 31 weeks pregnant and having never been to a baby shower either....I was asking this same question a month ago. Then my mom, and aunt started planning the shower which was really nice. My shower is planned to be when I am 34 weeks, so that it gives time to wash any outfits (gifts) that are received. I thought that was a great idea.
I was told that the shower should be planned at around 7 months, and thrown at about 8 months, so that you have the time to prepare and sort through everything beforehand.
I've always heard about baby showers and weird games that they play, and how they're normally all "women-only" events. I didn't want that. Mine will be a co-ed party/shower in a casino theme...which should be a whole lot of fun. This way...the people who always try to "avoid" these events...realise it's a non-tradition party/shower, and actually WANT to attend. hehe. My family was thinking smart on this one.
Just an idea anyways....if you or someone else is planning this event, try to make it a FUN one..and memorable, rather than traditional and (some may say..) boring.
Hope this helps! and congrats.....and good luck of course!

Answer 3

Honey, you do not throw yourself a baby shower. That is planned by a family member or friend. You are not responsible AT ALL.

I just wanted to add that a good time for a shower is about a month before the baby is due. That way, you probably know the sex and have a better idea of what you need.

Congratulations on the baby and the pending engagement!

Answer 4

well i know most showers are held closer to time for the baby to be born, like maybe a month before the due date. this way you already know what you are having and i heard if you plan to early its like jinking the baby or something like that.

if you are planning the showe yourself, you can offer healthy treats for the guest and include items for other children that may attend, there are also some games that i found online that are appropriate for these type of events, might want to do a yahoo search on the games, but around your final weeks of pregnancy you might get someone to help you with the planning because you will be needing all the rest you can get.
also, when you might want to register then include the registry information in the invitations

Answer 5

That's what friends are for....to plan things such as baby showers. Most women have them about 2 months or 1 month and a half before their due dates. I recommend 2 months b/c you can look through your gifts and determine what things you don't have to buy and things you need to purchase before that time creeps up on you.

Answer 6

my self never had a baby iether but have gone to them. first of all you should not plan it, one of your friends or family members should do this for you.
I would think to have it after the baby is born, my reasoning for this is just incase something horrible happens. that way you wont have all this baby stuff staring at you bieng a visual reminder of a baby you do not have.
things that have been given at the showers i have been to all have to do with baby stuff whether it be a soother or a crib, things mom needs for baby and things baby needs.

Answer 7

wait until about 6 months to have your baby shower... it should be planned by a friend or someone in the family.... finger foods are all you need and cake and biscuits to go with your hot drinks..baby showers are all about the baby and the presents..

Answer 8

I am 8 months pregnant and i havent had mine yet ." having it this month" But most people say it is a little better to wait until you are at least 6 months pregnant . but anytime after that would be a good time. I am kinda glad i waited this is my last month and i cant wait to go to mine.

Answer 9

Before the baby is born. If you wait until after then its just asking for a hand out.