One of your good friends is having a baby and you want her to have a baby shower she will always remember. Do you throw her one, or is someone else supposed to receive that honor? And if you are involved with the planning, who should you invite? Birthday in a Box is here to answer these questions and more.

Who Should Give the Baby Shower?
Baby showers are typically hosted by a good friend of the mom-to-be; however, it is now also common for a member of the mom-to-be’s family to throw her a shower (even though this was considered inappropriate in the past). So, whether you are the friend, sister, mother, or aunt of the future new mom, feel free to plan her a shower she will never forget!

What if This is the Second or Third Child for the Expectant Mother?
In the past, the mom-to-be only received a baby shower for her first child, but that is not the case in today’s world. It is common now for a mother expecting her second or third child to enjoy a baby shower where she will receive a few keepsakes, diapers, clothes, and other essentials – especially if she is expecting a child of the opposite gender, or expecting multiples.

Adopted children should be welcomed as warmly as any other child, and a shower is a great way to do this. Or, with older adopted children, it might be nice to have a welcoming party similar to a birthday party.

When Should the Shower Take Place?
A good rule of thumb is to hold the shower after the sixth month of pregnancy, or 1-3 months before the due date. However, some expectant mothers might prefer to have the shower after their baby is born so that everyone can meet the baby. So, unless the shower is a surprise, make sure to involve the guest of honor in the planning.

With adopted children, it is best to allow at least several weeks for the new family to get adjusted before holding a shower or welcoming party.

What Locations are Good for a Baby Shower?
The hostess will usually hold the party at her own home. If that is not an option, other locations to consider are a tea room, church social hall, spa, hotel conference room, or the mom-to-be’s favorite restaurant.

Who Should be Invited?
A typical baby shower guest list includes between six and 25 of the mom- and dad-to be’s family and friends. If the shower is a surprise, ask the dad-to-be for a list of names, phone numbers and addresses of close friends and family members who he thinks should be invited. If you see the guest list is getting too long, consider having two showers – one for family and one for friends.

Are Baby Shower Games Necessary?
Including baby shower games is really dependent on the personality of the mom-to-be. If she is more casual, light-hearted, or old-school, she may enjoy a few games. If she is more chic and formal, she may not want them included in her shower. Use your best judgment, and if you decide to include some fun shower games, take a look at Birthday in a Box’s baby shower planning guide for ideas!

As you can see, most baby shower traditions have been thrown by the wayside. So feel free to think outside the box, have some fun, and tweak your planning for the unique personality of the mom-to-be! Visit www.birthdayinabox.com for more baby shower tips and tricks.

Guest blog written by my friend Heather from Birthday In A Box.

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