Wondering how to plan the perfect baby shower?

The truth is that baby showers don't take as much planning or baby shower idea brainstorming as many people expect. There's lots of details to get right, to be honest, just as if you were planning any other formal or even informal event.

But taking things one step at a time is a great way to keep on top of all those details, while allowing you time to enjoy your life as well.

10. Choose a hostess.

The hostess should be someone trustworthy enough with all the details. According to most rules of baby shower etiquette, the baby shower planning should be handled by someone outside the immediate family. This prevents the appearance that the family is trying to get free baby supplies by inviting friends and relatives to buy them gifts.

There's no reason the baby shower can't have a host, either. For that matter, showers can also be co-ed if the mother to be has no objections.

9. Time your event right.

The timing presents a critical challenge to a successful baby shower. Traditionally, the shower takes place in the third trimester of pregnancy, but it's also okay to wait until after the child is born.

Try to stage the baby shower on the weekend, as a Saturday luncheon or dinner. You'll want to accommodate as many of your guests' schedules as you can. The mother to be will also have many other things to take care of, as well.

8. Get the right space for the baby shower.

With your date set, you can start looking for a place. Depending on the level of formality you and the mother to be choose, you can hold the event at a restaurant, bistro, café, or even in the comfort of your own home.

Remember to keep the decorations in sync with the venue you choose, and to complement the décor with the right baby shower favors and games. The more you coordinate, the more prevalent your motif will become.

7. Even the food and drinks should fit the baby shower idea.

The menu served at the baby shower doesn't have to be elaborate and it doesn't have to be gourmet cuisine, but remember to take care of your guests. If you hold the event in midday, simply serving a light lunch or appetizers is sufficient. An evening event requires a fuller meal.

6. Use baby shower favors to keep the theme foremost in the guests' minds.

Baby shower favors can also complement your food and drinks. For example, giving guests a kitchen timer is both a useful gift but also symbolizes the anticipation that's such a part of the baby shower celebration. The favor will remind the guests of the shower's good time long after they've returned home.

More steps, baby shower ideas and planning tips can be found in part two of this article.