planning a baby shower – Marisa Meidle's Baby Showers

In my previous posts I have shared with you the ultimate guide in planning a baby shower. I assume now you have decided on the location and have already outlined your plan on the theme, guest list, decors, food and activities.

Now, the next thing and one of the significant thing to consider in planning a baby shower is the TIME and DATE. We know for a fact that few months before the childbirth can be pretty hectic for the mom-to-be. On the other hand, early weeks or months of pregnancy is also tough and challenging especially for first time mom-to-be. So when is the best time to have the baby shower?

The date and time must be decided with the mom-to-be or parents-to-be. After all, you don’t want the shower to cause her stress, but for her to feel pure joy and love.

Baby showers are best held on the fifth to sixth month pregnancy of the mom-to-be. It is believed and observed that during these times they have already recovered from the early pregnancy discomforts and have adjusted well and are safe to have a bit of fun with some family and friends.

Regardless of the season, the best and most popular days for a baby shower is on the weekends – Saturday or Sunday and in the afternoons just after lunch time. Because most guests are believed to be free from work. Weekdays are fine too, especially dinner time. It is ideal also when your location for the shower is in the office or for local coffee baby showers.

Ideally, baby showers are held before the child birth. But, you can actually throw one even after the baby is born. In fact, it makes the baby shower extra special and fun to see the baby in person. If you haven’t decided yet whether to do it before or after birth, here are some reasons that might help you with your decision.

BEFORE BIRTH
1.   The mom-to-be can set a gift registry to help her prepare for all the essentials and sort through her presents and purchase some essentials that are still missing;
2.   She will have enough time to prepare and set-up the nursery;
3.   She will be able to relax and enjoy the party instead of take time feeding the baby or changing nappies; and
4.   The baby shower will provide her the much needed love and support, and feel her family and friends’ love and companionship as she journey towards mommyhood.

AFTER BIRTH
1.   It is easier for the guests to get the gifts that would really suit the baby, now that they know the baby’s gender, size and name;
2.   The baby shower can be a meet-the-party as well, making it extra especial;
3.   The mom-to-be is more comfortable now that she’s free from all the pregnancy discomforts; and
4.   Now that the baby is born, healthy and safe, other close family members of the new mom, especially the new dad are all relaxed and can really enjoy the party.

Finally, whatever you choice for the date and time, you must check on the calendar for holidays and events just to make sure that it will not conflict with your date.

And if your date falls on holiday season for instance, it mustn’t change your reason for getting everyone together. And that is to celebrate the mom-to-be and her impending bundle of joy.

It should be a lot of fun when planning a baby shower. Today, there is an abundance amount of resources available which makes planning a baby shower fairly easy for the parents-to-be. Today, men now have the pleasures of attending baby showers but this wasn’t always the case. Baby showers are unique with each one having its on theme, setting and other elements. There are also things you must consider as far as events go for the party. Finding games and other activities is wise if you want to liven up a party. Baby shower invitations are another great way to get a party going because it creates interest before the party even begins. The invitation should be unique to the child that will be entering the world soon enough.

Etiquette

Good etiquette should also be practice when handling a baby shower. The most important of these rules is who will be hosting the baby shower for the mother or family to be. In older times the family to be would chose a non-relative to host a baby shower but now that has changed. It has become quite common now for friends, co-workers or other family members such as the the mother’s or father’s parents to be come the host for the baby shower.

Timing

Determining the best time to host the baby shower can be quite difficult at times since pregnancy runs for nine months. As a rule of thumb people normally host a baby shower about two months prior to the expected birth day. In order to avoid possible complications, you should have the baby shower two months prior to the delivery date where the mother to be will be out of her second trimester.

Post Pregnancy Baby Shower

In a lot of cases parent are choosing to wait until the baby is born to have their baby showers. Although it is not as traditional as having the baby shower before the baby is born, this is great because not only does it helps the parents, it is also great for friends and family because they get to celebrate and see the baby all at the same time. It can also help reduce the likelihood of getting presents that may be too small, too large, or the wrong gender altogether. If a baby shower is going to be given after the baby is born, it is best to wait at least two months after. Places for these types of baby showers can be anywhere from parks, restaurants or a home. If you are one of those who want to be surprised by the baby’s gender, this type of shower is good for you.

Tag: planning a baby shower

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