Themes and Baby Shower Decorations Make Your Event Perfect | Marriage

By LisaEvans
Total views: 14
Word Count: 810

Need to plan a baby shower, but don't want the stress? With proper planning, and some help from a few friends or family, you can create a very special day for the mother-to-be.

Giving the gift of a Baby Showers is a fantastic way to demonstrate your love and affection - you are "showering" your love on the guest of honor. It is also a chance to help the new mother (or father) prepare the changes in their life with the arrival of a first (or second, third, etc.) child.

There are three basic tips I would share to help you plan the perfect shower. Select a theme, create a task list, and beg, borrow, and bride help from friends and family.

Baby shower themes can be easily found by searching online at various baby shower decoration and party supply stores. These stores stock patterns and themes from various manufacturers. The theme can become the foundation for your event, helping you and your guest by creating the perfect environment for your shower.

There are a number of different baby shower themes appropriate for a variety of situations. There are baby boy oriented themes, and themes for baby girls. There are themes that work well for twins, and themes that work well if the gender of the baby isn't yet known. There are themes that celebrate the mom, and there are themes that are purely fun.

Once you have selected a baby shower theme, you can now create your check list for things that need to be done. Around 2 months ahead of time, you should scout out a location for the shower, and start to develop your guest list. Establish your budget, and think about all the items you will need to purchase including invitations, catering, party favors, games, decorations, and more. Many of these sites have planning tools for you to use in developing your list of tasks.

I recommend you next give thought to what you will serve, who will attend, and how you plan to entertain the guests. This is the best time to get family and friends to help you - everyone loves to help out at a shower. The host can easily delegate tasks such as working with the bakery or caterer. Make sure everyone knows about any diet issues, money limits, and the time requirements.

Five weeks in advance, purchase your invitations. Most places that sell baby shower decorations also sell other decorations including tableware (paper plates and napkins), balloons, banners, and games that match the theme for your event, that way you can order baby shower invitations that match your theme!

Four weeks out, make sure all your decorations, favors, centerpieces are ordered. This will give you time for them to be delivered. This is also a good time to check your pantry for your serving supplies. Put out the word to friends and family members who will be attending if you need to borrow any critical items (such as serving platters, punch bowls, tables, etc.)

Around 3 weeks before the big day, review your task list, and any items you have assigned to volunteers. If you need to take something over yourself, this will give you enough time to get things done.

Around two weeks before the event is a good time to order your cake, and purchase any non-perishable food items. This is also a good time to finalize any activities or games, and review your check list for any items that still need to be purchased.

The week before the shower is a great time to prepare in advance any food you are cooking, so long as it can be easily frozen and then thawed, heated and served the day of the event. Review the RSVP list to finalize the amount of food, drinks, etc., you will need.

Two days before is a great time to start the "wind-up" for the event. Thaw any frozen foods to be served. Rearrange the furniture, and clean the house. (If you are inviting people you don't know and hosting the event at your home, don't be afraid to put away any breakable items, and/or lock-up any valuables!)

On the day before the shower, remember to thaw any previously cooked and frozen items if they need it. Decorate the room, tables, and such.

On the day of the shower itself, purchase your fresh flowers, fill your balloons with helium, prepare any remaining food items, and take pictures of everything BEFORE the guests arrive so you and the guest of honor can remember everything in it's perfect form. Take full advantage of your helpers by getting them to run errands that need to be run (such as getting balloons filled, or picking up catering items.)

The only thing left is to have FUN!

About the Author

About the author: Lisa Evans has fun assisting people with party supplies for baby showers and has the most enjoyable job in the world helping clients at PartyPail.com. Copyright PartyPail, Inc. 2008.

You are here Articles > Relationships > Marriage