By: bartokm
One of the most key events in the life of two people is learning they are going to be parents. Nothing can compare with that feeling of happiness that rushes through the body when you are given the news. Everyone experiences the same sensation when they find out the news about the blessed event for the first time; that feeling of excitement 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 prepare to hold a baby shower for the new baby. What better method is there for first-time mothers and fathers to be given some of the most needed items for their nursery?
The first step to planning a baby shower is to decide where and when to hold it. If you are looking to keep costs down, then think about 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 established for the planned event date, then it is time to set the guest list for the event. After planning on who is invited, the next step to determine 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 siblings are already part of the family unit. Making the shower family oriented gives you a whole different set of options for throwing an extraordinary party, yet managing the event's finances small. One very laid-back and normally accepted way is to hold a Pot Luck where everyone brings a different dish. A Pot Luck is fitting for either a backyard barbecue or a park picnic.
Holding a family baby party, while eliminating some planning issues, does present others; such as what kinds of games to have that all can compete in. This can easily be fixed with a little ingenious ingenuity. Plan games everyone can play. Just remember to have appropriate 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, date and time, who's coming, food and entertainment under control, the next step is to decide on decorations. I like to use a matching theme as the parents are using for nursery decor for the event and invitations. I also recommend 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 event, then make a note to the adults that children are not only invited, but are encouraged to be present. I also encourage that the host/hostess of the event offer to keep a gift registry of which guest plans to purchase what gift. This small gesture will be most appreciated by the new mom and dad. Also when several guests cannot decide on what to give, you will have the opportunity to advise gifts or encourage one or two guests combine their funds. Invitations should be sent out at least 45-30 days prior to the event date. Request RSVP's should be returned no later than 30 days before the event.
Decorations for the event will be typically decided by whether the party is inside or outdoors. Inside, you can use balloons, streamers and banners, as well has tablecloths and matching napkins and paper plate themes. Outside, you will probably want to keep the balloons, streamers, banners and tablecloths to a minimum in case it gets windy. However, a lot of scotch tape can help keep things in place.
One way to give a very functional present yet have a charming centerpiece is to use either a diaper cake or a baby gift basket as your central decoration. Once the party is finished, the diaper cake or gift basket is a completely functional gift for the new mother and father. Diaper cakes and baby gift baskets are a charming way to decorate as well as give as gifts. New parents are keen on getting all the surprises each holds.
So now you have a fully designed, low-budget shower that will be an event that your friends and family will talk about for years to come. Good Luck!
Article Source: http://www.parentingarticlelibrary.com
Author: Kathy Barto, owner of www.FairyliciousDiaperCakes.com, where you can find amazing custom made diaper cakes and matching baby gift baskets in many Baby Shower themes at affordable prices.
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