Planning for a newborn baby can be quite a stressful time with all the organising and making sure everything is ready for the new arrival. However, it’s important not to overlook how it should also be a time for happiness and excitement. There are few greater joys than welcoming a newborn into the world, and it’s important to have the right perspective when preparing for the birth.
One of the best ways to get into a celebratory mood for the upcoming birth is by holding a baby shower. Traditionally, baby showers have been practised for centuries by cultures all over the world. They’re essentially a party to celebrate the new mother and her soon-to-be newborn baby, and it’s a great time for all the family and friends to get involved. If you’re expecting a new arrival soon, this guide on how to hold the perfect baby shower should be all you need.
Choosing the Venue
The choice of venue is important for any party, as it dictates how many people can attend and normally what kind of activities you can include. It should definitely be one of the first things you consider when planning your baby shower, as it’s going to have a major impact on the event. When choosing the venue, first consider when and where you’d like to hold it.
When looking at baby shower venues, the location is one of the most important aspects. It has to be close enough for the expectant mother and her family to attend, as they’re the guests of honour, after all. Aside from that, you also want to make sure it’s a reasonable distance for everyone else to attend.
Also, don’t forget about the size of the venue, as this will impact how many people you can invite to the event. A bigger venue means more guests, but it may also be costlier. If you’re trying to save costs, you could host the event at home, but this will limit a lot of other aspects of the baby shower.
Pick a Theme
While you don’t necessarily need a theme, a lot of people plan their baby showers around a specific topic in order to make things more fun. This theme will influence decoration and food ideas, so it’s a good idea to choose early before you do a lot of other stages in planning. For example, you could plan a pirate-themed baby shower that includes jolly Rodger flags, pirate costumes and pirate grub.
Your theme can be anything you like, from the latest hit tv show to your favourite colour. Keep things simple if you don’t want to create too many restrictions or go wild and challenge your guests to come up with the best costume ideas. The key is to make sure everyone has a great time.
Choosing the Date and Time
Speak to the expectant mum and come up with a suitable date and time for the party. Pregnancy comes with a lot of doctor visits and appointments, so it’s a good idea to plan it well in advance and make sure all the potential guests know about it early on.
Most people aim to have their baby shower when they’re around four to six weeks before the due date. However, depending on the needs of the soon-to-be mum, you may want to consider alternatives. Above all else, plan the event around her comfort, and if she’s going to be too tired or busy, you could always hold it after the birth.
Capturing Memories
If you’ve gone all out with the decorations and venue, be sure to go the extra mile when it comes to capturing memories of the event. While your camera phone may do a good job of getting photos and videos during the baby shower, a professional photographer can get everyone looking their best and ensure yo