A baby shower is a time to celebrate a mom-to-be and the little one on the way. The party is a joyous event and should be free from drama.
As an expectant mother, you may have questions about your role in the shower. Should you plan the event yourself? What should you do during the party? Thankfully, you don't have to find answers to your questions because experts have already done it.
Who Should You Invite to the Shower?
Traditional baby showers included only the women in the mom-to-be's life, but times change. It is now perfectly acceptable and even encouraged to invite women, men, and children to parties. Essentially, the invite list is up to the mom-to-be and no one else.
While some women prefer a traditional event, others don't mind making it a family affair. The people you invite to your baby shower depend on your desired vibe. You can do that if you want a more intimate experience with other mothers. Celebrating it the way you want without guilt is your day.
Who Should Throw Your Shower & When?
Traditionally, you nor your partner will throw your baby shower. The purpose of a shower is for friends and relatives to show support and enthusiasm for your pregnancy.
Usually, a friend or an immediate family member will throw the bash and foot the bill. It is also very common for multiple people to plan and pay for the event.
The shower usually occurs during the third trimester, between four and eight weeks from the due date. An earlier shower will allow expecting parents time to incorporate shower gifts into the nursery. Also, it gives the parents time to purchase other items they may not have gotten in the gifts.
Fun Ideas to do During the Shower
A typical baby shower is about two hours long. Guests will eat, chat, play games, and watch the mom-to-be open presents during the event. You do not have to play games; food can be finger foods, snacks, or something other than a meal.
You can do many things to keep the party fun and light. Some of the better ideas include the following:
- Onesie decorating
- Headband-making station
- Baby bib decorating
- Motherly advice (keep it positive and practical)
- Raffle
The critical thing to remember is that baby showers should be carefree and enjoyable. Stay away from controversial topics and focus on showing love and support.
Things You Should Have on Your Registry
As you put together your baby registry, you want to ensure that various items and price points are covered. The good news is you are never at a loss for potential registry ideas. Some lower-priced things you might add to your list are diapers, spoons, swaddles, etc. However, don't limit yourself to only inexpensive items. You should also include a few big-ticket items like a stroller, car seat, crib mattress, and more.
You can also include other essentials like baby vitamins and supplements. A popular bundle for expectant mothers is the Wellements Oh Baby! Bundle; it includes supplements for newborns up to three-month-olds.
What You Should Avoid Putting on Your Registry
Some everyday baby registry items are not worth the investment. When you put together your registry, avoid including the following:
- Wipe warmer
- Changing table
- Sterilizer
- Bottle warmer
- Diaper genie
As an expectant mother, your baby shower experience should be fun and stress-free. You should have little to do with the planning of the event. Your primary job is to create a registry and invite list, but other than that, sit back and enjoy.