One of the most key events in the life of two people is being told they are going to be parents. Nothing can compare with that feeling of joy that runs through the body when you told the news. Everyone experiences the same sensation when they find out the news about the blessed event for the first time; that thrill of exhilaration blended with hope for the future.

Whether you are planning the arrival of a boy, girl or twins, you can bet your family and friends will plan to hold a baby shower in honor of the new baby. What better method is there for first-time parents to be given some of the most necessary items for their nursery?

The first hurdle to setting up a shower event is to decide where and when to hold it. If you are seeking to keep your out-of-pocket expenses under control, then try one of these options:

• Your home
• A Friend's home
• Your Church
• A Community Hall
• A Picnic Shelter at a local Park

Once the location is decided and confirmed for the planned event date, then it is time to plan the guest list for the festivities. After planning on who is invited, the next hurdle to settling on what entertainment and food you should plan. First, will it be a surprise? Will the new father be allowed to attend? Will it a family bash?

More and more, baby parties are becoming a family party; especially when older children are already part of the family unit. Making the event family oriented gives you a whole different set of options for holding a magnificent party, yet observing the affair's budget small. One very laid-back and normally accepted way is to have a Pot Luck where everyone brings a different dish. A Pot Luck is acceptable for either a barbecue or a park picnic.

Having a family baby affair, while eliminating some planning problems, does bring up others; like what types of activities to have that everyone can participate in. This can quickly be fixed with a little ingenious cunning. Have games everyone can play. Just be sure to have fitting prizes for any age winner.

• Egg on Spoon Race, or golf ball on the spoon
• 3-legged Sack Race – always a family favorite
• Ball Toss – Toss the ball at a target or through a hoop, closest one wins
• A Scavenger Hunt
• If you are at the park and the sand pit is large enough, hold a sand sculpting contest.
• Charades or Pictionary
• Guess the number of beans in a jar, or similar idea

Now that you have the place, day and time, who's coming, food and entertainment all organized, it is time to decide on decorations. I like to use a matching theme as the parents are using in the nursery for the festivities and invitations. I also suggest giving gifts in the same theme to go well in the baby's room. If the party is a surprise, be sure to put that on your invitation. If you are having a family shower, then make a note to the adults that kids are not only invited, but are encouraged to be there. I also suggest that the host/hostess of the festivities offer to keep a gift registry of which guest plans to bring what gift. This tiny gesture will be most appreciated by the new mom and dad. Also when a few guests cannot choose what to give, you will have the ability to hint gifts or suggest that one or two guests combine their funds. Invitations should be sent out at least 45-30 days prior to the shower date. Request RSVP's should be returned no later than 30 days before the event.

Page 1 of 2 :: First | Last :: Prev | 1 2 | Next