Baby showers typically include games that centre around pregnancy, birth or babies, and guests bring baby shower gifts for the mum-to-be and her baby. Baby showers often include afternoon tea, which often includes baby themed food.
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.
The main features of a baby shower are: food & drinks (as with any party!) cake / cupcake / dessert baby shower games (especially if all guests don't know each other. it helps break the ice and makes the party actually fun). opening of the gifts (every guest brings a gift for the mom-to-be)
At a baby shower, people celebrate the pregnancy and soon-to-be arrival of the baby. The venue is decorated, drinks and food is served and games are played.
Here are some fun ideas for baby shower games and activities: guess the baby food, play pin the pacifier on the baby (blindfolded for kids), create a baby using mini Play-Doh, play bingo, have a diaper and wipe raffle, play The Price is Right, and guess how big mama's belly is.
Who Pays for a Baby Shower? The cost of a baby shower is usually covered by the person (or group) organising it. That might be a close friend, a sibling, a cousin, or a small group who all pitch in.
7 Etiquette Tips for Modern Baby Showers
Traditionally, the mother-to-be is the guest of honor at the baby shower. That said, if you're hosting a couples' shower, then you should list both parents as the guests of honor.
On average, baby showers tend to cost about $500, though that total cost goes down when using a free venue like the home of a friend or family member and can go up if you're hosting a shower at a restaurant or venue with an hourly fee. Traditionally, the host of the baby shower will pick up the tab.
It's totally up to the parent-to-be's preferences. It may also depend on the number of guests. If there are many guests, the gift-opening session could take a significant amount of time. It can also depend on the type of gifts requested by the parents-to-be.
While traditionally baby showers have been female-only events, it's becoming more common to include the dad-to-be and other men. Co-ed baby showers or “sip and see” events are gaining popularity, where both men and women celebrate together.
Quick Baby Shower Snack Ideas: Affordable and Easy Bites
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.
Games are a great way to help keep guests entertained. Get the party together to play baby shower games like the Celebrity Baby Game, Baby Stroller Olympics, or crowd-favorites like Baby Bingo that guests can play while the mom-to-be is opening her gifts.
It is customary to bring a gift to a baby shower, but not mandatory, so if you're unable to bring a gift for whatever reason, simply offering your well wishes will usually be kindly appreciated.
You can invite however many people you want to your shower! Just check the venues limits and remember not everyone shows so if you're comfortable going over a little it'll probably be fine it's a wonderful celebration! I hope your shower is amazing! I invited about 100, and have 75ish showing up!
Essential baby items like cozy blankets, bibs, bottles, and diapers make great gifts that are sure to be used on a daily basis. These luxury baby gifts and items are especially helpful to new parents that are welcoming their first baby and will help them be prepared for the little one's arrival.
Most often, the host pays for the baby shower.
Once you're at the event, good baby shower etiquette includes keeping conversation encouraging and lighthearted! Avoid making comments about how big her third-trimester belly is or bringing up controversial topics like parenting styles, birth methods, discipline, or breastfeeding!
In general, I would say that by the age of 8 or 9 years-10 at the latest-most children have developed enough of a sense of personal boundaries and body space that they no longer want to shower with a parent or bathe with a sibling of the opposite sex.
The Guest List Can Include Anyone. Most of us have heard the classic baby shower rule that only women should attend a baby shower, but more and more expecting parents are having co-ed baby showers so they can celebrate with all their family and friends (not to mention the dad-to-be!).
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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.