Babyshower Assistance & Themes

Your Questions Answered...

When do you have a baby shower?

A baby shower is typically held 6-8 weeks prior to the baby’s due date, before the mum-to-be is 35 weeks is best. Babies before 37 weeks aren't even considered premmie, so don't leave it too late or you might have another guest at the party!

If you are the shower host there is a lot to organise, start planning 4 weeks before the day. Firstly, chose a theme for the party. Do you know the sex of the baby or do you want a gender neutral theme?The number of guests will dictate the location. Whose coming? What games so you want? And of course what food and drink will you serve!

Where should you have a baby shower?

Baby Showers are often held at the host’s home: in the lounge for comfort or the garden in warmer months. Home Showers are more relaxing, it allows those guests who don’t know each other to mingle & if children are invited will give them a safe space to play. If the host’s home is too small for the guests, parks or restaurants are alternatives. A downside to hosting a party at a restaurant is the lack of privacy and the inability to have games. Many people feel self-conscious in a public setting and even if they could begin enjoying the games, it is very difficult to play any while sitting around a table.

Who should host a baby shower?

Sisters, best friends, cousins, mothers, co-workers (in some cases the expectant father)... anyone interested in celebrating the new journey that an expecting mother is embarking upon can plan a Shower. To avoid disputes it is best to agree first who is planning the party. This is a happy time and starting a party on the right foot is the best way to keep the event joyful. If a few people want to throw it, join forces & co-organise... many hands can make light work and a happy day!

Who should you invite: baby shower etiquette

It’s easier if the expectant mum knows about the Shower, as she can provide you with a guest list. Alternatively, surprise showers are very popular, but in which case do your homework! The organiser(s) may not know all the guests the expectant mum may want there (& importantly family or friends who are expecting an invitation!). Ask her mother, co-workers & partners for a list. Is it girls only? Or are partners & children invited too? All options are fine, only try to ensure it’s the guest of honours wishes that are the ones catered for. Make enquiries with the future grandmothers too, they may have friends they wish to invite and they’ll enjoy being involved.

Should you invite children?

If the expectant mother already has children, then children of the guests - particularly her extended family - are often invited too. Avoid the expectant siblings feeling left out, by bringing a sibling gift (perfectbabyshower.com.au has a selection of sibling gifts). Jealousy of a new born is not uncommon and a gift can be an well-timed olive branch. If children are coming make sure you cater for them both with food and entertainment. Many baby shower games 

Should a baby shower be themed?

All Baby Showers are themed by definition of the event. A group of women showering the guest of honour with gifts and their collective knowledge provides a theme. The details of the theme can vary and will reflect a lot about the soon-to-be-mum and possibly her host. Traditional colours of pink or blue will signal the gender of the baby, eclectic colours can represent a fun or whimsical afternoon. Decorations will set a mood, as it’s a day to celebrate womanhood, pretty decorations can reflect this. Whatever the theme, it is important to decide whether or not you will have one and, if so, what it will be. Always keep in mind what the expecting mother would like. The theme should run tastefully throughout the entire Shower, including invitations, decorations, tableware and thank you cards. A strong theme will create a party atmosphere and transform a home for a perfect Baby Shower!

Wanting a Fresh Idea?

SSShhhh....... can you keep a secret? A fun & fresh way to announce the sex of your baby to your closest friends is at your baby shower. Order one of our baby shower boxes & let us know via the comments box you want a Secret Baby Shower Box...inside your white baby shower box, your items will be wrapped in pink or blue enclosed with a free "it's a girl" or "it's a boy" balloon! We have gender specific ranges: Blue Wild Safari & Happi Tree Boy for baby boys & Pink Wild Safari & Happi Tree Girl for a shade of pink! Imagine your friends' anticipation waiting for you to open your decorations in front of them. You can then have the fun of styling your baby shower together... ooohhh & aahhhing collectively at the pink or blue. Simply gorgeous.

Baby Shower Games

Don't be shy! Definitely include at least one game - 2-3 is ideal. As many showers will bring women together from different aspects of the mum-to-be's world, they invariably won't all know each other. Baby shower games help break the ice, whilst also creating a fun & relaxed atmosphere. Please see our section Free Baby Shower Games.

Decorations!

The theme of your shower will provide the overall direction you use. Perfect Baby Shower can provide you with all the decorations you need including balloons, a variety of banners, lawn signs, centre pieces, confetti and much more.

Flowers are also a perfect compliment to include in the day.

Be creative with your décor, think of ways to apply the shower theme in fun ways your guests will enjoy e.g. if your theme is baby clothes, hang a clothes line and attach cute baby items or clothes that the mum to be can take home after the party.

If your party is in a home, decorating the outside of the house always puts everyone in great mood. Perfect Baby Shower has great Lawn signs and balloons to help with this.

What food should be served?

Apart from deciding on your budget, make sure you choose food your guest of honour can eat! There are many foods pregnant women can’t eat or ones she’ll turn her nose up to now her palate may have changed. Buffets are popular as they are less formal and allow guests to mingle. Your Showers’ theme will influence what food is served, is it a high tea style affair, a garden party or is it centred around the children present? Cupcakes have become an iconic element of baby showers, when served on a cupcake tier stand they provide a beautiful centrepiece for your table.

What drinks should you serve?

A champagne glass cries “all girls party” ...whether they are filled with champagne or juice is up to the individuals! Tea is another popular option. Just remember your expectant mum won‘t be drinking and it’s her party.

What are good gift ideas?

Registries are gaining popularity, ensuring no double-ups or unwanted gifts are received. When there is no registry, just remember this is the expectant mothers’ day. A day to celebrate her, before a new life. Remind her she’s a woman, not just an baby incubator! Spoil her with beautiful nursing lingerie and night wear, scented candles or a spa gift certificate. More practical gifts can include a stylish nappy bag, change mats, books on parenting and baby slings. A beautiful cuddly toy or baby hamper for her newborn will fill the room with welcomed oohs & ahhs.

Remember a Baby Shower is one of the few parties where gifts are opened in the presence of all guests. Gift opening is an integral part of the Shower, presentation of the gift can be as important as the gift it self. Make sure you have someone ready to jot down the gifts received.

Favours

Depending on the size of your guest list the favours can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to make them. Favour bags are grown ups Loot Bags!...so items you might include are: travel sized beauty products, scented candles, soaps, chocolates....

What should you wear to a baby shower?

Invitations can dictate any particular theme or dress code, however as Baby Showers are a time to celebrate femininity, it’s a lovely opportunity to frock up!

Other ideas...

Create a Time Capsule. Ask all your guests to bring along an item which is relevant to the world today. When guests arrive get them to place the item in a box at the end of the shower and give it to the mum to be to keep for the baby. Ideas for the capsule include the days newspaper, a light bulb, CD, disposable camera, things that probably won’t exist in a few years.

Perfect Baby Shower has some lovely Guest Signing and Mum to be advice books. This is a lovely way for the guest to write a note for the mum to be so she has a keepsake from her shower.

Include your guests in a group photo, this can later be emailed to everyone or the mum to be can put a copy in the thank you notes to everyone.

and finally...

Think about all the little things you might need during the shower and have these ready prior to guests arriving. If you are playing games you may need props, paper and pencils. Be prepared to record gifts as they are opened.

If the shower is in a home, plan ahead for the entertaining items you will need during the party. This includes chairs, serving dishes, extra tables, ice candles etc. If your shower is at another venue make reservations in advance.

Music is a nice touch; make sure you have a selection on hand if it is appropriate for the type of shower you are hosting.

Depending on your group, you may find nametags and or place cards to be beneficial.

Be prepared for lots of gift-wrappings by having plenty of large bin bags on hand. Also be ready to help the guest of honour pack up the gifts and get them home, she will appreciate this extra effort.

Don’t forget your camera or ask one of your guests to be the official photographer for the day.

....Most of all enjoy yourself!! xx