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Baby ShowersUsually, one of the close friends of the mother-to-be hosts the party. However, this is not a rock solid rule, and anyone can throw the shower. In addition, there can be multiple showers, from co-workers, friends, family, etc. Keep in mind that these are gift-giving parties and therefore having a family member or the mother-to-be to host might make some people uncomfortable. Timing of Baby ShowersUsually, the shower might be held some 1-2 months before the calculated time. This way, there’s a reasonable time before the calculated time and the pregnancy in a late enough stage. Some opt to have the shower after the birth, which serves as a nice event for friends and relatives to greet the baby into this world. In fact, this is the standard procedure in some cultures and areas. The guest list should be done in consultation with the mother-to-be. Usually, the guest list includes close family members of both the mother-to-be and father-to-be. Also, female friends of the mother-to-be make a standard addition to the list. How many guests to invite is a personal choice, but the idea is usually to have a relatively intimate event. Using Baby Shower GamesAs showers should also be a relaxed event, many use ice-breakers, such as baby shower games to make people feel comfortable, especially if there are guests that don't know each other at all. There are many great pre-made shower games available. Some of them are free, but you might consider purchasing one of the prepackaged ones. In addition to shower game prizes, you might also want to include shower favors for the guests. Whether to use favors varies very much from region to region, so you should check the correct way to handle the issue in your area. Other activities at the shower usually include opening of the presents and enjoying food together. Baby Shower Presents and ThemesIf you decide to use a theme for the shower, like a nursery decor theme, this is a nice way direct the theme of the gifts as well. Themes also make planning of the shower easier, as there is then a clear framework on how to plan for decorations, games, etc. Internet Resources for Baby ShowersPlanning a shower from a scratch can be a time-consuming task. Luckily, there are resources that make organizing things a bit easier. For planning purposes, among the most popular online resources are the shower planning worksheets at AllAboutShowers. Their free planning package includes
Furthermore, the resource lists a number of free shower games. To find out about AllAboutShowers worksheets and advice for showers, see allaboutshowers.com/baby/planner/.
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