Great Ideas For A Baby Shower » baby shower

Baby Shower Thank You Cards – Please Help The Mommy-To-Be

Hendrika — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:55:54 +0000

If you are the one organizing the baby shower, why do you have to think about Baby Shower Thank You Cards? Well, read on to find out!

Have you heard moms complain of “pregnancy brain” or “pregnesia”? Whether it’s physiological or just a case of too much on the brain – many women will tell you that from shortly after learning they are pregnant until the time their children leave the nest – they can get a little forgetful. Others even call it “mommyheimers.”

One area that will help out mom tremendously is setting her up with baby shower thank you cards. As mom is opening the gifts, someone should be making a list of the giver and the item given. This will make it so much easier when it comes time to write thank you cards.

Even better, is to actually supply mom with baby shower thank you cards, and pre-addressed stamped envelopes. When the guests arrive, hand them all an envelope and ask them to address it to themselves. That is not an unheard of practice. Remember, you’re inviting family and friends; you don’t have to be so formal. It’s not like you’re entertaining the Queen.

What about the actual baby shower thank you cards? You can always pick up some cute ones from the store. That works just fine. It’s the sentiment inside that is more important than the actual card. However that doesn’t always suit all people, does it?

Thanks to modern technology, a.k.a. digital camera and color printer, the possibilities are endless. You could have a group photo of all the guests, and then print that onto baby shower thank you cards. You could take a photo of each guest with the mommy-to-be. You could have a profile picture showing mom’s beautiful belly. Or if you’re really creative maybe you can create a before and after side by side shot in one of the graphics programs.

Let’s face it, there are many card recipients who simply read the inside text, say “ah, how sweet” and then throw the card away. Yes, it’s true. Of course there will be other guests who save everything anyone has ever sent them.

The point is making it simple for mom to get her baby shower thank you cards sent out. The memory of those closest to her celebrating the impending birth is far more important than what was on the front of the baby shower thank you card.

Baby Girl Shower Ideas

Hendrika — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:30:44 +0000

Sugar and spice, and everything nice, that’s what little girls are made of. And so should baby girl shower ideas be made of!

Sunshine and rainbows, and ribbons for hair bows, that’s what little girls are made of.
Tea parties, laces and baby doll faces, that’s what little girls are made of. And so will baby girl shower ideas be made of!

Listen to women as they look at baby girl outfits …”Ooooooooh how cute is that?” “That is so adorable.” “How precious” and the like.

Baby girl items seem to come with a natural sweetness. That’s what makes planning a baby girl shower so easy. How about asking each guest to bring a frilly pair of booties or hair bows?

Here’s one of the fun baby girl shower ideas. If you know that the mother to be is going to have a girl, then get her a little girl baby doll. Get the doll the frilliest, laciest outfit you can find (mom will keep all these after the shower). Try to find some little lace tights and hair bows (or the elastic ‘brain squishers’). Make the doll as girlie as you possibly can.

Mom has to care for the “baby” all throughout the shower. Tell the guests ahead of time that anytime mom says “cute, adorable or precious” someone has to cry like a baby – thus causing mom to pick up the baby and check the diaper, see if she might be hungry or maybe just tired and need some rocking.

Carry on the shower festivities as planned, but mom has to do it with baby in tow. It’s fun to see if mom delegates grandma or all the other ‘aunties’ in the room to take care of the baby, or if mom tries to do it all.

Then for one of the games you can play “Baby [or insert baby's name if it has been decided]” is now in puberty” and then “Baby is in high school”. Have all the guests ask hypothetical questions – about how mom will react when … questions related to periods, boyfriends, sex, squabbling best friends, no one asking her to the dance…”

Give mom a dry run what she has to look forward to. It’s guaranteed to be a memorable shower.

So, baby girl shower ideas must be fun and girlie! Go overboard! Make it as frilly as you can. Baby girl shower ideas can still incorporate any other theme as well, just make sure it is frilly and girlie.

Baby Boy Shower Ideas

Hendrika — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:42:43 +0000

Snips and snails, and puppy dog tails, that’s what little boys are made of…. what are baby boy showers made of? I need some baby boy shower ideas please!

So your friend is having a boy -he will be her little buddy, pal, her man, champ, little guy, handsome devil. Don’t you dare call him sweetheart, angel, princess, peanut, honey or baby, right? Heck no. She is adamant he’s going to grow up to be a manly man.

Before the newborn boy is shaving and off to college, let’s get through the baby shower first. Some obvious themes or décor for boys include sports – baseball, basketball, football, soccer; or fire trucks; policemen; robots; doggies; cowboys or super heroes.

You won’t have a lot of frilly lace or dainty bows at a shower for a baby boy. You can never go wrong with anything in the color blue – and lots of it.

It’s a horrible experience for new parents to have strangers in the store refer to their little man as a precious girl. Baby boy shower gift giving made easy – give outfits to dress the handsome boy up in blue, blue, and blue. Even if his little sleeper has footballs all over it, the well meaning fan won’t take the time to notice the boyish pattern. Give them bold blue to clue them in.

Back to the shower ideas – generally baby showers are a woman dominated event. Your mother-to-be may not have much experience raising a boy. You could center the games on boy things.

1. Make a list of questions that pertain only to boys:

Perhaps how to change a boy diaper
What will you say when your son comes up to you and tells you …

2. Another idea would be to play:

What not to do to embarrass your son (such as lick your finger then attempt to get the toothpaste off his cheek – in front of his friends.)
Or don’t shout embarrassing honey-pie comments to your son while he’s playing with his friends.

3. Do a football quiz. Mom may need this information some day!

Guests who have sons will be able to help with this one. Raising a boy is not the same as raising a girl. Have fun but make it informative and fun for all shower attendees.

So, take these baby boy shower ideas as a guideline and come up with your own fun baby boy shower ideas!

Inexpensive Baby Shower Favor – Get Favors All Within Your Budget

Hendrika — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:08:13 +0000

Baby shower favors are such fun for the guests, but it can play havoc with your budget! So, it is a good idea to look for an Inexpensive Baby Shower Favor.

I am sure you can still remember going to birthday parties as a little kid? How much fun it was to come home with a goodie bag.

The contents were not that important; as long as it was something small you could take home. Sometimes the most inexpensive baby shower favor is more appreciated than a costly one, especially if you made it yourself!

As adults we still have the idea of bring a present – get a present, only now we call them favors! The word favors sound more dignified and sophisticated than gift or present.

It’s a nice gesture to have something that your guests can take home with them after the festivities are finished. If your shower will be like most, you’ll probably play some silly games. No game would be complete without prizes or favors.

But no one likes to leave empty handed. You should have some small inexpensive baby shower favors for everyone to take home, whether or not they’ve won a game.

Some ideas for an inexpensive baby shower favor:

A little tin candle with a custom label that reads “Your friendship lights my day. Thanks for being part of my special day”?
Little boxes of chocolate that read, “You’re so sweet. Thanks for coming to my baby shower.”
Or a little package of nuts wrapped in tulle, “You’re nuts. But that’s why we’re friends – thank you for coming to my shower.”
Lotion is always a good little favor for women. Be careful not to get something too fragrant – as some people are bothered by strong scents.
Even a small bud vase with dried flowers from your garden.
The truth is that it doesn’t really matter what you offer as a favor. It’s a small token of your appreciation for the time your friends devoted to celebrate the new baby.
I will say this; your favor should be something they can use. When deciding what you’ll have for little inexpensive baby shower favors, try to think, “What is not going to end up in the trash as soon as they leave?”
Perhaps you could give your guests a small gift booklet and inscribe something sweet on the inside cover: “I appreciate your wisdom and support of my new baby.” Or “Thanks for all the times I’ve cried on your shoulder, I appreciate you.” Or, if you don’t feel very sentimental, how about simply: “Thanks for coming to my baby shower. June 1, 200x”

An inexpensive baby shower favor does not have to be anything fancy, just something to show your appreciation. Consider the examples above to give you an idea and come up with something cheap your guests will enjoy.

Baby Showers Centerpieces

Hendrika — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:44:33 +0000

Ah those baby showers centerpieces – they are the main focal point of a baby shower table. If men had baby showers, their centerpiece might consist of a six-pack or a bag of chips. Oh not so for the women. We want something pretty! We want something appropriate. We want a centerpiece that will make your guest comment on how wonderful it is.

When thinking about baby showers centerpieces, I would recommend staying away from open flames. Whenever you get a group of people together, and bearing gifts no doubt, it’s just not a good idea to center your table on something that could potentially start fire.

However, if you had your heart set on pretty little candles, then stick with floating candles. Take a pretty bowl, a deep bowl and fill it with water. Then use the candles that float in the water. You can often find flower shapes ones or you may be able to find some candles in the shape of baby rattles. Check your favorite party supply store.

A fresh bouquet of flowers always works well as a centerpiece and can always be considered as an idea for baby shower centerpieces. You can arrange one using flowers from your own garden or you could purchase a bouquet of pink or blue carnations. Purple, green and yellow work well if the baby’s gender is unknown.

Another suggestion is to use little Mylar balloons nestled in a large vase, surrounded by tissue paper. That makes a fun, adorable centerpiece, too.

If you are feeling creative you can make large poppy style flowers from tissue paper. Choose colors to match the theme of your shower or of the baby’s nursery.

If you’re really crafty you can make votives roses.

Supplies Needed Include:

Long plastic balloon sticks
The plastic balloon cap (as affixed at the ends of Mylar balloons)
Tulle squares
Green floral tape
Ribbon
Silk leaves
A hot glue gun

How To Make The Roses:

Assemble the balloon cap to the stick.
Glue the bottom of the votive to the balloon cap with the hot glue gun.
Wrap the votive with the tulle square
Starting from the base of the votive, begin wrapping the balloon stick with green floral tape; add a few leaves on your way down the stick.
Finish it with a ribbon bow.
Repeat until you have a nice bouquet of votive roses.

Another of the very good baby shower centerpieces ideas is to bake some sugar cookies with skinny dowels in them. Decorate the cookies and put them all into a vase. You’ll have a memorable, edible cookie bouquet.

Still want a different idea for a centerpiece? OK, you’ll love this one – open up a disposable diaper and fill it with potpourri. That one is sure to get noticed.

Your centerpiece design is limited only by your imagination. Be creative when you are thinking of ideas for baby showers centerpieces, and have fun.

Quick Baby Shower Games Ideas – It Is No Big Deal!

Hendrika — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:59:08 +0000

Every baby shower needs Quick Baby Shower Games. What a pleasure it would be if all the family and friends would RSVP right away because they cannot wait to play the quick baby shower games?

Quick baby shower games – it’s like a rite of passage. A baby shower will just not be the same without these silly quick baby shower games. Ok, admit it, while some may grumble and groan (generally silently while they outwardly smile and play nice) there is guaranteed to be much laughter and memories with baby shower games.

Below are some suggestions for quick baby shower games:

Of course it is always possible to invent your own variations that will make the games not all that quick!

If you have any ideas for baby shower themes, you can alter the games to fit in with your theme. This can easily be done by changing the items you use to fit in with your theme and with your decorating ideas for baby shower.

1. One of my favorite games is the baby food tasting.

Sit mom in a chair, blindfold her and be prepared for some funny faces. The hostess will spoon mom different kinds of food and she’ll have to guess what flavor it is.

Or better yet, blindfold all the guests and have THEM try to guess the flavor. Have them remove their blindfolds (or if on the honor system, open their eyes) so that they can write down their guess – then begin with the next flavor.

2. What about the dirty diaper game?

Along the same lines is to put a dollop of baby food inside a disposable diaper. Jiiigg, yes it is somewhat gross, that’s what makes it such fun. Everyone must sniff and try to determine what kind of baby food is in the diaper.

3. How big is Mommy’s tummy?

Pass a roll of toilet paper around to all the guests. Tell each one to take as many squares as they think will be necessary to fit around mom’s tummy. This also works with string but the toilet paper is funnier because if someone guesses too little, the paper squares break apart. Nothing like making mom feel HUGE.

4. Baby scramble:

Unscramble the words. Write baby related words on pieces of paper – rattle, diaper, teething, colic, bath, ointment, bouncy seat, etc. and then scramble up the letters. Give everyone a few minutes to decipher as many as they can.

5. The baby memory game:

Have a box or a tray with baby related items – wipes, diaper pin, diaper ointment, ear bulb, teething tablets, booties, washcloth, hair bow, etc. The smaller the items are, the better it is.

Put the box or tray in front of everyone for two minutes then remove it. Have guests write down as many items as they can remember. Of course mom gets to keep the box when the game is finished.

Hand in hand with these quick baby shower games are the prizes. Prepare small prizes for the winners of the games. Candles, bath and body items, dish towels, or lip balm work nicely. Think of anything small, and inexpensive, that most women would like.

Don’t dread these quick baby shower games – remember our motto! Relax and have fun with them. Make sure to take lots of photos during all festivities and even a video of the hilarious quick baby shower games.

Decorating Ideas For Baby Shower – Relax Its Easier Than You Think!

Hendrika — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:28:41 +0000

Sometimes you think of Decorating Ideas For Baby Shower too late. I Know, all shower hostesses run around like mad, cleaning the house before the guests arrive. I know people whose houses are spotless all the time, but most of our houses only get a thorough clean when we expect guests!

OK, so now the house is spotless, but the real trill come when the guests walk in and they go all “aaah, how sweet” when they see the cute decorations. Then you know that your Decorating Ideas For Baby Shower is a success.

I know; pressure, pressure, pressure. Don’t worry. Keep our motto in mind: relax and enjoy! Decorating for a baby shower doesn’t need to be a big deal. If you know the baby’s gender then blue or pink will be the color du jour. If you don’t know, then pretty pastels work well too.

1. Decorating Ideas For Baby Shower: Without Ideas For Baby Shower Themes

Take a trip to your favorite party supply store and you’ll have no problem coming up with decoration ideas for baby shower. Crepe paper, balloons cardboard cut-outs abound in these types of stores.

You can never go wrong with streamers and balloons. You don’t even need to tape balloons to anything – just merely have them spread across the floor for a festive look.

2. Decorating Ideas For Baby Shower: With Ideas For Baby Shower Themes

If you decide on a particular theme, that will make decorating easy… just follow suit, get your decorating ideas for baby shower from your theme.

3. Decorating Ideas For Baby Shower: A Simple Baby Theme Never Fails

If the theme is simply baby, always a hit no matter what you may think, then you have many choices. You can make or buy banners to hang either inside or outside. Hang balloons from the mailbox to make it easier for guests to find the party place.

Don’t’ forget party plates, napkins and cups. Cake tastes so much better on cute little baby themed plates rather than on your fine china or paper plates, don’t you agree? While you’re at it, don’t forget a table cloth. Not only does it tie the whole look together, it makes for easy clean up.

4. Decorating Ideas For Baby Shower: With Ideas For Baby Shower Themes are limitless

Get a good Baby Shower Themes book and take it from there. Most are easy with supplies readily available in party stores.

5. Decorating Ideas For Baby Shower: Make The Mommy-To-Be A Throne

You may want to decorate a “throne” for mom. Take your biggest, most comfortable chair (but one that she can get out of relatively easily.) and decorate it with streamers and balloons. For an added touch give her a crown to wear.

Sure you want your guests to walk into a beautifully decorated room, but more importantly they will be walking into a room full of love and cheerfulness. If you met in a field with folding lawn chairs they would be just as happy.

Throw in a few Homemade Baby Shower Games, inexpensive baby shower favors and you are on a roll.

So, please do not too hung up on Decorating Ideas For Baby Shower, relax and have fun. If you are enjoying yourself it will rub off on your guests and they will enjoy the shower no matter what your decorating ideas for baby shower are!

Baby Shower Invitation Wording – Where Do I Start, What Do I Include?

Hendrika — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:04:39 +0000

our friend is a mommy-to-be! You are throwing her a baby shower, but goodness! What about the Baby Shower Invitation Wording? Remember our motto? Relax and enjoy! Keep this in mind with the baby shower invitation

wording as well.

Oh! How do we all love presents? Opening a present is magical and a pleasure none of us ever get used to. Why not make your mommy-to-be a Princess for a day with an amazing baby shower? You have to start with the right Baby Shower Invitation Wording.

New moms, especially first time moms, want everything to be just right. Everything about baby should be well coordinated and matching. Wait until you have two or three kids and then see how you feel. Just kidding … mostly.

One fun part of having a baby is registering for gifts. Some stores will give mom a laser ‘gun’ and tell her to scan anything and everything she wants. How fun is that? “I want one of these and one of these and oh I should have one of these…”

Also about the time she is deciding which baby wipe warmer she would like to have, she passes the stationery department. Oooooooh, look at the adorable wrapping paper and little bows and how cute are these little shower invitations.

“Oh my goodness… I haven’t even considered shower invitations, let alone thinking about the Baby Shower Invitation wording!” laments mom. Relax; generally the shower hostess will take care of those little details. That is, unless mom wants to be in on all the details.

Shower invitations are nothing more than information to tell the when and where details of the baby shower. So, keep the baby shower invitation wording short and to the point, this way you make sure there are no misunderstandings!

If all the guests have online access, it’s not unheard of to use evites – electronic invitations; it saves on postage. But some people think that is tacky. It’s a personal preference.

All the guests who are invited, to the baby shower, will already know that there is an impending birth; so that won’t be news. They really just need to know what time and where to show up with a gift. Make sure to include a map or directions to the location – not everyone will be familiar with the party place.

It’s also a good idea to include the name(s) of the stores where the mommy-to-be is registered. If mom has selected a particular theme (Pooh, fish, fire trucks, etc.) you may want to include that info in the invitation. You may choose to use invitations that fall in with your ideas for baby shower themes – assuming there is a theme.

Lastly if there is something special you would like guests to bring, be sure to include that in the invitation. Some hostesses ask that guests bring baby pictures of the guest of honor, or favorite memories or some even request that everyone bring a package of diapers or a container of wipes.

Basically the baby shower invitation wording needs to state when, where, what to bring and where to RSVP. It’s that simple! Keep it that simple, remember our motto, relax and enjoy! Make the Baby Shower Invitation Wording part of this motto.

Ideas For Baby Shower Themes – Do They Help Or Not?

Hendrika — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:02:49 +0000

Do Ideas For Baby Shower Themes help or do they make things even more difficult? It is true that sometimes, when you have a theme, it can help with the planning of the decorating ideas for baby shower and the baby shower menu ideas.

Your Ideas For Baby Shower Themes can even help you decide on quick baby shower games. If the theme makes it possible to play quick and easy baby shower games, so much the better.

On the other hand, if the theme is difficult, it can only make matters worse!

When you have a theme you can make the baby shower invitation wording fit in with it.

These ideas for baby shower themes can also help you with inexpensive baby shower favors, baby shower centerpiece ideas, baby boy shower ideas, baby girl shower ideas and it can even help you with preparing baby shower thank you cards for the guest of honor!

So, if you choose a theme, make sure it will be easy to execute, otherwise you are simply making a lot of unnecessary work for yourself. Remember our motto, relax and enjoy.

Of course the reason for the shower is the baby and the ideas for baby shower themes should not replace that, but you can also decide to have a particular theme.

Here are a few ideas for baby shower themes.

1. Have a fall harvest theme:

With this baby shower theme you could decorate in orange, brown and gold colors. Serve pumpkin pie, cider, spiced chai tea and apples. Make some soups and warm dips; and burn cinnamon candles.

Having a fall theme is just another added dimension to the baby shower. It in no way distracts from the main focus of celebrating baby.

2. Have a pool party theme:

If it is summer time perhaps you’d like to have a pool party theme. Suggest everyone bring their bathing suits and a towel. Host the shower outside. Serve lemonade and popsicles.

The seasons of the year offer wonderful ideas on themes. A spring baby shower theme could include lots of flowers. Favors could be a little package of bulbs. Stress the new birth that comes with spring and tie it in with the new birth of the baby.

3. You could do a “pamper-me” theme:

Let everyone take their shoes off and dip their feet in the foot massager. Then rub peppermint lotion on your feet. This would be a fun get together – all the while making mom and baby the focus. It will be enjoyable and memorable for the shower guests too.

OK, someone else will have to rub the lotion on the mommy-to-be as she will not be able to reach her feet!

This is one of the ideas for baby shower themes that can really make for a lot of fun. You can make it as elaborate or as easy as you wish. I’ll go for the latter when keeping our motto of relax and enjoy in mind.

4. What about a cookie exchange?

Have all the guests bring 2 dozen cookies and swap them out. Chances are your guest of honor will have fun too. Of course a baby shower is all about mom, but sometimes there are only so many baby festivities to do in one afternoon.

What about a luau theme complete with grass skirts, leis and coconuts:

Well, here is another one of the ideas for baby shower themes. Make your shower FUN, remember our motto, relax and enjoy!

It doesn’t have to be about tea and crumpets while sitting quietly in a chair. If your guest of honor was fun before she was pregnant, she’ll still be fun. (Give her one last hoorah before baby settles her down.)

These are only a few ideas for baby shower themes to show you that you do not have to go with the traditional baby shower themes. Often the Barney and more kind of themes turn out expensive and stressful. Keep it simple and relax and enjoy the occasion!

These Baby Shower Themes can even help you with the choice of your Baby Shower Games!

I hope these ideas for baby shower themes will inspire you to have fun.