A Baby Shower, Like Any Good Party, Requires Lots of Work and Planning. Here’s a Quick Guide to Some of the Most Important Things the Host Must Take Care of to Ensure a Successful Shower.

Throwing a baby shower is easy, right?

Wrong!

All of the little details and traditions involved mean that whomever is hosting the baby shower (and deciding who will host will likely be the cause of the first argument) has a lot of work and decision-making ahead of them. While there are certain traditions associated with throwing a baby shower, and the mother-to-be’s mother will certainly let the host know if any of them have been missed, most of the decisions can be made at the host’s discretion. Despite the difficult decisions sometimes required, by following a few simple rules of baby shower etiquette the host can ensure they throw a loving baby shower for the proud mother-to-be.

Sorting Out the Logistics: Who, What, When, and Where

The first question to answer, and frequently the source of most contention, is who should host the baby shower. Traditional baby shower etiquette is for someone inside of the future mother’s family to throw the shower, usually one from the mother’s side and one from the father’s side. But today, a baby shower can be thrown by anyone, with close friends and coworkers being the most common. With both friends and family involved, it’s not unusual to end up with multiple showers for one baby!

This leads to the next baby shower etiquette question, just how many baby showers are acceptable? With so many people having odd schedules nowadays, multiple showers for one baby are not unusual. However, some people dislike the idea of baby showers when dealing with second or third children. Traditionally, baby showers were held only for the first born child. While it’s not out of the ordinary to have a baby shower for second or third borns, many people dislike the idea and resent being expected to buy baby gifts for multiple children.

Where to hold the shower is usually an easy question; it’s typically at the home of the host. However, if a large number of people are expected, a restaurant is not inappropriate, or even renting out a small hall. Restaurants have the advantage of the host not needing to worry about food, and an event large enough to justify renting a hall can be catered.

Showers are usually held during the final trimester. As for the exact day and time of the shower, that’s usually best decided by educated guesswork. If the mother-to-be is a realtor, for example, Sunday afternoons are out because if she’s still working she will be doing showings. Thursday evenings are usually a time that is convenient for most people.

You’re Invited!

Once the host, location, day, and time of the baby shower have been sorted out, the next most important thing to do is to get those invitations out plenty of time in advance. Four to six weeks before the shower should be enough time for all the invitees to receive the invitations and respond, buy their gifts and, if necessary, adjust their schedule.

There are several key pieces of information that should be included on the invitations as part of proper baby shower etiquette. First and foremost, of course, is the name of the mother-to-be. Because the host is almost always not the mother, their name should be on the invitation as well. Standard information to include is the date, time, and location of the shower, and contact information so the invitee can RSVP with the host.

Other information that can be included is the theme of the shower, if there is one, and where the mother is registered. Directions are good things to include if some of the invited guests are from out of town. While baby shower etiquette doesn’t demand all this information be included with the invitation, the guests will appreciate it.

Staying the Course

Though these are good, common sense guidelines for baby shower etiquette, it is by no means complete. Astute readers will notice that we have only gotten as far as sending out invitations. Other important decisions like food and themes will be required. At the same time, it is by no means a tragedy if you ignore some of the rules or traditions, especially if the mother-to-be fancies herself a rebel. In the end, the most important part of the baby shower is the future mother celebrating the impending birth of her child while surrounded by those she loves.

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Robert J Kirk is an event planner with over 10 years of experience planning weddings, showers, parties, and ceremonies. His favorite events are baby showers, and he regularly shares his expertise on his website at http://www.superbabyshowers.com

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This entry was posted on Sunday, February 17th, 2008 at 10:32 pm and is filed under Family. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.