Video:Tips for Organizing a Baby Shower

Transcript:Tips for Organizing a Baby Shower

Hi, I'm Abby Gemino - and I'm Yasmin de Joya-Pagal - with Forevery Occasion in Surrey, British Columbia, for About.com. In this video, you will receive tips for organizing a baby shower.  We will provide you with the basic planning, organizing and coordinating instructions for a successful event!

Baby Shower Planning Tips

1. Start planning the baby shower in the 5th or 6th month of Mommy-to-be's pregnancy.
2. Create your guest list.
3. Determine your budget. This will be a driving factor for the baby shower's venue, menu and party supplies.
4. Choose a date and location for the baby shower. Traditionally baby showers are held at the host's home; however, they can be held at restaurants.
5. Choose a theme for the baby shower. Some like to use the baby's nursery theme or the colors pink or blue if the baby's sex is known.
6. Plan out the menu if you are hosting the shower in your home. If the shower is held at a restaurant, the guests are usually expected to pay for their own meal.
7. Order a cake. Usually, the cake is the centerpiece of the desserts, so it is a nice touch to have the cake match the shower's theme.
8. Plan a few fun games to play throughout the event. Simple prizes are always appreciated.
9. Make a list of things you will need to purchase for the baby shower.  
10. Send invitations with at least four weeks notice for your guests. Remember to add a RSVP date, which is usually 1 week prior to the shower.
11. Create a "to do" list for the day of the baby shower. This will keep you organized with all the little details, like picking up the cake and flowers.
12. During the baby shower, give each guest a thank you card envelope to write their address. Collect the envelopes and later give them to Mommy-to-be along with the blank thank you cards. This will be one less thing Mom-to-be will have to worry about when writing her thank you's.
13. Before the gift opening, designate one guest to take detailed notes of the presents. It will be easier for Mom-to-be to remember these details when writing out her thank you cards.
14. Give each guest a party favor at the end of the baby shower as a token of appreciation for being a part of the special occasion. These can be as simple as chocolate and candies wrapped in cellophane.

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