As host, you'll be busy keeping an eye on the food and mingling with guests. Assign the gift-list job beforehand to a friend or family member of the mom-to-be. They'll jump into action when the time comes, and you'll remain free to be an “I've got everything handled” party host.
A typical baby shower lasts about 2-3 hours. As guests arrive, they are offered food and drinks and they mingle. Once all of the guests have arrived and had a chance to enjoy food and drink, about 30-45 minutes into the shower, the games begin. There are usually 3-5 different games lasting for another 30-45 minutes.
Who Hosts a Baby Shower? Most baby showers should be hosted by a sister, mother, mother-in-law, or close friend. Baby showers were traditionally thrown by family members who weren't close with the parents-to-be, to avoid the assumption that close family members wanted to collect gifts for themselves.
But, typically, a shower includes yummy food, a couple of games (or crafts, but more on that later), and opening gifts. And, of course, plenty of time to sit and chat! Speaking of gifts, if you're the expecting mom, make sure there are enough items on your registry before the shower invitations go out.
As with any party, there should be a yummy cake on offer to mark the occasion. As stated, it might be an extra special gender reveal cake, with a pink or blue sponge to wow the crowd. Or with boy/girl specific decorations like our Blue Baby Shoe cake.
Who Traditionally Pays for a Baby Shower? The hostess traditionally pays for the baby shower and its associated costs. However, the hostess can divide up the responsibility and costs by asking a few close family members or friends to co-host.
Traditionally the host will pay but this will depend on many factors. This includes the venue, budget, size of the guest list, and how extravagant it may be. For instance, you can't expect your best friend to throw a huge baby shower and pay for it all herself.
From parents to college roommates, and anyone else who plays an important role in the parents-to-be's lives. It's safe to say that those who weren't included in the initial guest list are the people you shouldn't invite.
Should you open gifts at the baby shower? Tradition would have you open all the gifts in front of the guests. But, times have changed and it's more common not to.
The classic time to host a baby shower is lunchtime, but recently tradition has given way to several different options. Some women prefer a slightly earlier time to celebrate and enjoy hosting a brunch. Others loved hosting a 'happy hour' shower with plenty of baby-themed mocktails at sunset.
While a hostess gift is not a necessity, but it is certainly a very kind gesture. Even though a baby shower is given out of the goodness of one's heart, a baby shower hostess gift just says, "Thank you."
How Many Baby Shower Games You Should Have? A typical baby shower lasts about 3 hours, so you can expect to play about 5 games at most. You will want to have enough games to keep everyone occupied but not so many that you are rushing people through each game.
Baby showers last on average 2-3 hours, depending on what's planned for the celebration. Plan for enough time to enjoy all of the baby shower games and activities you have planned for the day. Factor in things like the opening of gifts, snacking on hors d'oeuvres and cake, and catching up with friends and family.
For coworkers or acquaintances, people tend to spend around $30 to $50. For friends or distant relatives, many people spend between $50 and $100. For close friends or family members, most people spend between $100 and $200 or more.
Men are allowed at baby showers — especially if the father's in attendance. It's rare for a mom to have a co-ed or Jack&Jill baby shower and not invite any of her and the father's male friends and family members.
Just as we celebrate birthdays and weddings with a ritual of cake-cutting, it's appropriate to provide an edible cake for a baby shower and to take some time during the baby shower event to gather around the guest of honour as she cuts the cake and perhaps makes a short speech.
While traditional baby showers consist of women only, co-ed baby showers are becoming more and more common. However, if you're looking to throw a traditional baby shower and still have the dad-to-be attend, this is completely acceptable and appropriate as most dad-to-be's will want to thank guests before they leave.
Most baby showers offer some food. You will usually come up with a menu based on a couple of factors including time of day and length the baby shower, the location, and the budget. Another important thing to consider is how the mother-to-be feels.
5 Second Game Baby Shower consist of 25 rounds where you have just five seconds to guess three answers in a random baby related category. This is a hilarious game of speed and fast thinking. Perfect for any baby shower party or virtual baby shower.
A diaper raffle is a baby shower activity where instead of a gift registry, guests are invited to participate in a game where they exchange packs of eco friendly diapers for a chance to win a prize. When guests arrive, they will be awarded a raffle ticket for each pack of diapers they bring to the shower.
Sweet Baby Shower Toast
When you were young, the greatest love you ever knew came from your parents. As you grew, the greatest love you ever knew came from your husband. Today, the greatest love you'll ever know is for your baby. Cheers to all your greatest loves, now together as one big family.