Marisa – Page 16 – Marisa Meidle's Baby Showers

Baby Shower – Celebration of Life

Should you throw a baby shower for the second, third or so child or should you only throw one for the firstborn?

Why do we celebrate baby shower in the first place? We do so to celebrate the blessing of a new life. Having that in mind, then whether its the second, third, fourth or so baby, celebrate them all because it’s a blessing of a new life.

Although there might be a difference between the firstborn and the second and succeeding babies, in the sense that first time moms or parents needed the support and love, because it’s all new to them. But for the second time around or so, the baby shower could be a little laid back and simpler, not because it’s no longer exciting. But, because by now the expecting mom or parents already know what to expect. Emotionally, mentally, and physically they already know what to do and how to cope.

In terms of the baby and mom essentials, there might not be so much need on that because they (the mom or parents) most likely already have what they need. Perhaps a little assistance here and there, but nothing like the first time.

This does not mean that the baby shower is not as fun as the one thrown for the firstborn. In fact, it is going to even be more special because, this time you can choose to have an intimate baby shower. Now its not so much about the gifts, although they are important, ofcourse. But, this time it is more about the conversation and being together.

So, for some ideas you can organize for a brunch or an intimate dinner with the “girls only” – the mom and her closest friends. You can also have like a barbecue in your garden or garage with the family and relatives.

Another idea could be a pajama party with girls, a sleep-over and binge watch chick flicks. Perhaps you can organize a small group with the mom’s besties and do some quilting or decorating the nursery or doing some crafts and artsies for the nursery while having some snacks. You can also have the girls spend the day in the kitchen and do some baking and cooking or perhaps spend the day on a salon for an all-day pampering.

The idea is not so much about showering the expecting mom or parents with gifts, but its about spending quality time together and enjoying each other’s company, celebrating mommyhood or parenthood, and above all the coming of a new bundle of joy.

Nothing beats a baby shower that allows for some great conversation and memorable moments of laughters. And for the expecting mom or parents to be able to share their joy with the people closest and dearest to them.

So don’t think that because its the nth baby, then no need for a baby shower. Go ahead and celebrate and have fun.

Simple Activities for Baby Shower

Simple activities can make the baby shower even more special. These activities can end up with simple presents or keepsake for the mom and the baby. These activities are so easy to put together and does not require so much materials. Here are two simple activities that you can incorporate in your baby shower or use as inpiration for your plan.

1. Decorate Rocks

This is a very simple but fun activity that you and your guests can do as one of your baby shower activities. It is very easy to prepare, but provides good opportunity for guests to mingle and bring out their creative and artistic side. The end product can serve a special gift and keepsake for the parents-to-be and the baby.

All you need to prepare are rocks and decorattions that you can use to personalize them. Gather small and smooth rocks or stones. You can get them from local.craft stores or from the beach. Prepare markers, paint pens, stickers and other decorative artsies or crafts.

Set a big table where everyone can gather around or smaller tables where guests can sit in groups. Set out all the materials on the table and ask your guests to decorate and design the rocks. They can create whatever design they like, from cute animals, colors, and or motivational messages, and anything else they can think of that would make a lovely decor for the nursery or just a keepsake.

2. Baby Quilt Making

This is another simple activity that make for a beautiful gift and keepsake for both the mom-to-be and tbe baby. All you need are some fabric, batting, threads and needles.

This is a specially fun activity for guests who are quilters or perhaps knows how to quilt. And for those who don’t know how, this activity will give them the opportunity to learn how to quilt.

Set the materials out on the table, gather everyone and give each guest their own quilting square. Then ask them to create signature blocks with their own unique and cool features.

Work as one team, lay out all the quilt squares and sew them together. It may seem simple, but it will be a unique and special present for the mom-to-be and the baby. A special gift, and memory that will last for years.

There are many fun, but vey simple activities you can do for the baby shower. Doing activities that is not only meant for fun and laughters, but to create something out of your own – a special present and a keepsake for the mom or parents-to-be and the baby, will make the baby shower special and memorable.

Practical Ideas for Baby Shower

In my previous posts, I have shared some practical baby shower ideas. These are activities that you can work with the guests to not just have fun but in the end, come up with something that will make useful gifts for the mom-to-be or parents-to-be.

Here are another practical ideas that you can do for baby showers that could also end with something valuable and useful, a keepsake for the expecting mom or parents. These ideas will also make some preparations easy for you as the host.

1. Potluck

Food is one of the main ingredient that makes a party, the party. But, you don’t have to prepare all the food on your own.

A potluck is an opportunity for your guests to share in the party by cooking or preparing their favorite or signature dish. When you send out invitations, make sure to inform them to bring food that they can share with the guests.

You can either set a theme for the food, such as bite size, finger foods, pastries and snacks, international cuisine, barbeque, etc. or guests can bring whatever dish or food they like. The latter idea is more fun, as there will be variety of food.

2. Guests’ Signatures

Usually we ask the guests to sign on the guest book. Often they end up in the cabinet and never opened again. Instead of guest book, ask guests to sign something that the mom-to-be or parents-to-be will use or look at time and again, such as the following:

– first page of a book (book for the mom or parents, story book, rhymes, cooking or recipe book, etc.)
– picture frames (at the back)
– nursery decors (such as wooden letters, decorative globe, ect.)

Guest could do more than sign their signatures. You can also ask.guests to write wishes or some inspiring words. These will make for a meaningful presents.

3. Kid-Friendly

Baby showers is a perfect opportunity for the siblings-to-be to also join in the celebration of welcoming their new brother or sister. Often, kids are not included. It might be fun to make it kid-friendly, especially for second time, third time or so parents-to be. Guests who also have kids can tag along their little ones.

If you go potluck and kid-friendly, then you can ask guests to bring kid-friendly food like chicken pops, cupcakes and the likes.

Finally, don’t stress too much with all the baby shower details. Keep it cool and make it festive. Besides, with your great intention, you can never go wrong. Always remember though, to have fun.

Simple Decorations and Must-Haves for Baby Showers

Planning a perfect baby shower can be a bit tough, whether you are the mom-to-be or her bestie, you can’t seem to come up with the best baby shower. You wanted to do something unique, but it seems like everything has been done before.

Well you know what? Every baby shower is perfect on its own, and eventhough your baby shower seem like it’s been done before, well yes they’ve been done before, but they are still unique in its truest sense.

The real goal of baby shower is to show some love and support to the mom-to-be or parents-to-be, to share with the joy and make them feel special, and create memorable moments. Now, focus on those and not on how make a “perfect” baby shower.

There are a lot of games and activities you can to make the baby shower fun and exciting for the mom or parents-to-be. Apart from games and activities, its the ambience and the environment that you create that sets the atmosphere of fun.

Here are some of the must-haves for baby showers. Whether you organize a simple or grand baby shower, whether its an in-person party of virtual one, and no matter the theme or location or day and time, these things are what makes baby shower a baby shower.

1. Balloons

It’s kind of like symbolic – the mom looks like she is about to pop, hence balloons are a must.

Decorate the venue with balloons, use colors that matches your theme. You can arrange them in cluster with different sizes and shapes.

You can also play around and be creative with the balloons and do some animal shapes or baby-related figures. It sets the mood the moment you see balloons.

2. Blocks

Baby blocks are colorful, cute, and give you the feel of a baby on the way. It works with any theme, so go ahead and decorate your venue with baby blocks. You can arrange them on the doorway, some on the tables, or better yet arrange them for your photo booth for added backdrop.

3. String Lights

String lights lifts up the spirit of the party and bring the fun to life. It is great for evening baby showers, and even better when you hold the party outdoors.

Like baby blocks, lights works with any theme. Hang your coloful string lights in the windows or doorways or archway or perhaps create shapes or animated figures out of it. The lights will give the party stunning effect and make the moment magical.

4. Clothes Garland

Like the baby blocks, hanging clotheslines around the room attaching some cute onesies, bibs or booties for instance, give you that feel of a baby on the way.

It also works with any theme and you can have them indoors or outdoors, works just fine. Plus, you can ask the guests in advance to bring some baby clothes and stuff to hang on the clothelines. At the end of the party, they can serve as gifts for the mom-to-be for her little one.

Finally, these are some of the simple decorations and “must-have” that creates a wonderful baby shower atmosphere. They work with any type of theme, and you can have them as it or use them to accentuate your major theme decor. You can never go wrong really, just play around baby-related stuff and be creative.

Practical Ideas for Baby Shower

We know that we want our baby shower to be fun and exciting and the best way to get the fun going is to play games and do some exciting activities.

You can actually put a twist on the typical baby shower and do something that may not only be fun but is practical as well. This is not saying don’t have games and fun activities, ofcourse you have to have those.

Here are some ideas you can include for your activities.

1. Arts and Crafts

Put a little twist on your baby shower activities and do some arts and crafts. This is another fun way where you, the guests, and the parents-to-be get to spend time together while having fun chats and snacks. And the end product can turn into a valuable gift for the mom-to-be or parents-to-be and the baby on the way.

To give you an idea, you can paint on fabric for instance. Prepare fabric paints (different colors) and some plain onesies. Ask your guests to get creative and design the onesies using the fabric paints. You can also prepare die of different colors, some tie/rope and ask them to play around and tie die the onesies. You can teach them how if none of your guests know how.

You can also paint baby hangers, create colorful headbands and cool bows. You can also draw or make cut-outs of cartoon characters or other baby related artsies or decorate numbers or letters that can be posted or hanged in the baby’s nursery/room.

2. Words of Wisdom

Your main goal for the baby shower is to shower the parents-to-be, especially the mom-to-be, the love and support they need. To receive encouraging words and advice, and hear wisdom from friends and family who have walked the same road is a priceless gift for the parents-to-be. Especially, first time moms and dads.

This activity can easily be
incorporated in you baby shower. You can put it first or last or in between games, it all works. Here are two ideas you can start with or use as inspiration:

– Write a Book of Wisdom.
Prepare a notebook or customized one with a nice pen. During the baby shower, pass it around the guests and ask them to write words of encouragements or some advice to the mom-to-be or the parents-to-be. Once everyone has written their piece, put a ribbon around the notebook and present it as a gift from everyone. Tell the mom-to-be to open it when she is in labor or the parents-to-be can open and read it after delivery. It will give the mom-to-be or parents-to-be something to look forward to.

– Fill the Basket of Wisdom
Although the baby shower is for both mom and dad, but really it would take a lot of toll on the mom-to-be: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Ask everyone to fill in the basket with items that will be significant for the mom-to-be, something that symbolizes motherhood or fill the basket with some baby essentials. Just make sure that you include a note when you send out invitation.

3. Books Instead of Cards

Although it is nice and sweet to receive cards, but more often than not, they get thrown away. Instead, ask the guests to gift the mom-to-be or parents-to-be books. Just like in cards, they can also write notes of encouragement or advice on the front page of the book.

Books can either be for the parents-to-be, like tips on parenting or motherhood and the likes. They can also gift children or storybooks or nursery rhymes. Such books will be very useful for the expecting parents and the baby. Another idea is cooking or recipe books for baby food or food for moms during pregnancy of after childbirth.

Make sure that when you send out invitation, you include a note that says “gift books instead of cards.”

Finally, you can never go wrong when the intention is good. These are just few practical ideas that is not to replace the fun and exciting activities and games, but something you can incorporate in your baby shower. It is really nice and helpful to be doing something that will end up with some priceless and valuable gifts for the parents-to-be. It adds to making the day special and memorable.