baby shower ideas – Marisa Meidle's Baby Showers

BABY SHOWER ON A BUDGET IS NO DIFFERENT FROM EXPENSIVE BABY SHOWER

First of all, it doesn’t matter hoe much the baby shower have cost you. At the end of the day, it’s whether the mom-to-be and the guests (including you) had fun or not. Noone is going to ask about the expenses.

Oftentime, it is only the host who worries about having a budget-friendly baby shower, thinking that it might look and feel cheap or that you as the host really didn’t care. Well, guess what? That is all in your head.

If you are hosting a baby shower and you are super worried, my advice to you is to opt for a less expensive one. If and when you have extra and can afford an expensive one, might as well use that extra for the mom-to-be’s impending motherhood. Be practical, it’s a single day event, not even a day but a couple of hours.

Let me tell you this, your guests are not joining the shower to evaluate the food or decors, but they are coming for the mom-to-be or parents-to-be. They just really want to join in the celebration and make the expecting mom or parents feel special by showing their love and support. They don’t care where the venue is, they won’t care if the decors are DIY or made-to-order from an expensive craft store, and they don’t care if you are serving homemade finger foods or food from a fancy restaurant. All that matters is to be there for the mom or parents-to-be.

But, it doesn’t mean because they don’t care what you have for the shower, then you need not bother on planning. Ofcourse you have to plan, but what I am telling you is “chill out” and don’t worry too much if you have to do a baby shower on a budget.

Here’s how you can save on the budget:

First is your guest list. If it is going to be an in-person shower, might as well keep it small and intimate. Gather the closest friends and family of the mom-to-be. You can always have another for the others, the idea is to keep it small.

Second, because invitees are closest to the celebrant, then surely some of them (if not all) would be more than glad to help. Don’t hesitate to accept offers of help and to co-host.

Third, opt for DIY on everything for the shower that can be done by yourself and the other guests who wanted to help. There are so many DIY ideas you can follow for the decorations to begin with. You can make use of some old stuff to create interesting decors.

Following the decors, you and your guests can do the traditional practice of bringing your own food to share. You can assign each one a certain food or finger foods, and then put them all together.

Lastly, the most important thing really is what activities to do for the shower. These are what will make the party fun, special, and memorable for you and the mom-to-be. And because all the invitees are closest and dearest to the expecting mom or parents, then they would know what will make the mom happy and feel special. You can plan what activities to do together with some of the guests. That way, you can have fun yourself.

So to sum it all up, you don’t need to spend a lot. You can easily and comfortably organize it in your own backyard or garden or in one of the mom-to-be’s friend’s house. And if you saved from all the supposed expenses, you can use that savings to help out the mom-to-be for all the essentials she’ll need, especially after childbith.

The impending motherhood and all its challenges is not going to end on a baby shower. The shower is just a celebration, the reality kicks-in after the baby is born. That is the purpose of baby shower, to help out the mom-to-be prepare all that she and the baby will need. So if you can save on the shower and use that savings to help mom-to-be on this, then that would be better. But, if you have like extra-extra budget, then why not go grandiouso.

Make Baby Shower Special

A baby shower is one way to show your love and support for the mom-to-be or the parents-to-be, and the little one on the way.

No matter who your invitees are, where the venue will be, what theme you choose, and what activities you planned to do during the shower, always focus on what will make the mom-to-be or the parents-to-be feel loved, special and cared for. The best way to do that is to have the most fun by doing sorts of activities and ofcourse the gifts.

Not to set aside the dad-to-be, but lets face it, it’s really the mom-to-be who needs extra love and support at a time like this, especially for first time moms.

When a woman is pregnant, her body undergoes constant change as the baby inside her grows. She’ll experiece physical change – getting rounder here and there, feeling heavier, stretch marks, on top of hormonal changes causing mood swings and discomfort time and again. They go through emotional turnoil and lots of stress. It’s sweet to be expecting, but it is no joke. Pregnancy is not easy, let alone childbirth, argh!!!

Because of this, mom-to-be really needs that extra love and care, and all the support from family and friends. She will need all the support to help her prepare with the stuff she’ll need for herself and the baby, and importantly to prepare her emotionally and psychologically for what’s to come.

Make sure that during the baby shower, you give emphasis on the gifts. It’s not just really because its a party but those gifts are whats going to help her prepare. Here are some gift ideas for the mom-to-be.

1. Maternity Dresses

Pregnant’s body go thru constant physical change, she’ll feel awkward especially for first time moms. It’s difficult to go out and be with friends and colleagues when you don’t feel so well with how you look physically. She’ll need chic maternity dresses that are perfect for day walks, appropriate work maternity dresses that are comfy even when moving here and there, and some comfortable sleep wears too.

2. Post-pregnancy Garments

The body changes continue post-pregnancy. Help the mom-to-be, espcially first time moms with post-pregnancy garments like nursing bras which can be very useful for her to nurse her baby easily and comfortably.

3. Belly Oils and Stretchmarks Lotion

These are essentials she’ll need during and after pregnancy. Moisturizers and oils can help soothe her skin and give her moment of self pampering, that in turn give her the emotional boost.

4. Breastfeeding and Nipple Care Itens and Nursing Pillows

These are essentials that are very useful for moms post-pregnancy. Nursing pillows will help both mom and the baby do the nursing easily and comfortably especially late night feeds. Breastfeeding and Nipple Care on other hand will help mom ease the cracked nipples and soreness caused by breastfeeding, make her feel relieved and comfortable.

5. Recovery Care

If you can afford to have more for a gift, recovery care is a great gift idea. Its a convenient care kit combining the items and essentials mentioned above like the moisturizers and belly oils, breastfeeding essentials, nipple care and more. Including items like calming teas, scented candles, grooming kit for the baby and others that will give comfort for both the mom and baby, and moment of self pampering for the mom.

Finally, baby showers are a time for celebration of a new life. Sharing with the joy of the parents-to-be. Like I said, more than anyone else, it’s the mom-to-be who needs that extra love, care and support. Gift her with items that will help her prepare, but will make her feel appreciated or celebrated and cared for.

In my next articles, I will be sharing with you the best gift ideas for moms-to-be and or for 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.

Photo Booth for Baby Shower

It is the activities you pick for the baby shower that will make the party either super fun or a bit boring.

Baby Showers are intended to make the parents-to-be, especially the mom-to-be feel special. In doing so, you would want to make the ocassion memorable by putting together fun-filled activities. And ofcourse, you want to document and preserve these memories for the parents-to-be, and what better way to preserve memories than taking photos.

Photo Booth is a favorite and a sure hit in any parties. Set-up a photo booth to allow opportunity for some fun and exciting photos. While you have the games to get the fun started, photo booth on the other hand will add to that and make the party even more fun.

How do you set-up?

First, pick a spot or lacation in the venue of your baby shower, pick the spot that is out-of-the-way, but strategic and is visible to your guests.
Then, decide on the decoration and props. You can either decorate that the booth on your own or you can include them in the package or photo service you hired. There are plenty of photographers/videographers that offer photo booths in their packages. You can opt to hire one.

Personally, I prefer to go DIY on this. You can ask the parents-to-be to help or some of the guests (whom you know), they would be more than willing to help. Choose props, decorations and backdrops that matches with your shower theme. I have shared many baby shower theme ideas in my previoua posts. If you are looking for one, go check them out for inspiration.

You don’t have to buy new stuff or fancy art material or whatsoever for your decorations. You can be creative and practical with it by making use of some old materials and combine them with new stuff (if you really need to buy new).

To create the fun, gather some props like fake mustaches and wigs, trendy-oversized glasses, cool hats, signs, and or baby-related stuff like oversized pacifiers, baby bottles. You can also have some adult-sized onesies, diapers and other baby stuff that can be worn for the photo.

You can also create your own photo booth props using some cardboard or cut-out empty cantoon boxes and colored papers. You can use color pens or paint. Aside from props, you can also create your own huge frame using cartoon boxes or styrofoam, cut-out baby-related stuff or theme-related and paste them on the frame. There are a lot of video tutorial on DIY Photo Booth ideas on various video streaming and social media.

Then, don’t forget the camera – have a good one, if possible. Provide a camera, if you have. You can also ask your guests to bring cellphones with good camera or birng a camera if they have. Then, in between games or activities during the party, ask your guests to take each other’s photos on the photo booth. They can do solo, by pair or in groups.

Select a hashtag or you can ask your guests to come up with a cool hashtag of the day, and ask them to share their photos on social media using the hashtag. This will be a great way to collect and document fun and special memories.

Just-For-Mom Baby Shower

In my previous post I have shared some baby shower ideas: activities and location. Here is another awesome baby shower idea – this one is focused on the mom-to-be. Traditionally, baby showers are ladies only, wherein the party is all about the mom-to-be and her friends.

If you plan to have an all ladies for one of the baby showers you plan to organize, then here are some ideas to help you be creative and plan out a fun, exciting and memorable baby shower.

This is especially great for second, third time or so moms-to-be. Although it works well for first time moms-to-be, but more so for the latter. Why? The experience of pregancy, childbirth and parenthood really takes a lot of toll on a woman’s “body.” That is why they deserve EXTRA tender love and care (TLC).

So, if it’s mom’s second, third or so baby, maybe this time she’ll need something for herself than baby items. Instead of buying baby gifts, focus on gifts for mom.

When you send invitations to your guests, inform them of the plan for a just-for-mom baby shower. Ask them to bring gifts for the mom – something she can use now (like maternity dresses, soothing moisturizers) or after childbirth (like certificate for house-cleaning or pampering services).

They can either gift her with some practical mom stuff or some pampering or even both. Here are some gift ideas:

– Stretch Marks Set Skin Care
– Pre-Baby Date Night Restaurant Gift Card
– Maternity Sleep Wear or Maternity Dresses
– Compression Socks
– Home-cooked Freezer Meals (to help her with the hassle of cooking while pregnant)
– Recipe Book (for baby food)
– Aroma Scented Candle and a Book of her favorite author (for relaxing)
– Salon Gift Certificate for whole body pampering (maybe few months after childbirth)

There are many other gifts you can give the mom to be. As her friend, I think you know what she’ll love. And if you’re a mom yourself, then you know what she’ll need during and after pregnancy, and what would make her happy.