Baby Shower Ideas
Who should host a baby shower?
Anyone but the expectant mother (and father). A baby shower can be thrown by friends, relatives and/or coworkers. To keep parties small and intimate, coordinate with the mother-to-be’s friends and family and have each group throw her a separate shower.
How far in advance should you host a baby shower?
Typically, you want to hold a baby shower 4 to 6 weeks before the baby’s due date. There’s a good chance that the baby will be born before the due date, and having the shower earlier means it’s easier for the expectant mother to move around and enjoy the party. That said, don’t forget to send out baby shower invitations at least 3 to 4 weeks before the shower so the guests have enough time to RSVP. .
Who should be invited to a baby shower?
Consult the expectant mother and father to find out who to invite. Be sure to ask if they would prefer a single-sex or co-ed shower. If you already have a baby shower location and budget in mind, tell the mom-to-be the maximum number of guests you can accommodate. Or you can ask her to make a list of people she wants to invite, and let that help you determine where to host the baby shower,
Should a baby shower be held only for the first baby?
Traditionally, a baby shower was given for the first baby and for a subsequent baby only if the sex of the child was different from the first. Today’s showers, however, are not just about giving gifts; they’re a day to celebrate the birth of a baby. If you want to throw a baby shower for a second, third or even fourth child, there’s no reason not to.
Decorations
Pastels rule the baby world. Soft pinks and blues, yellows and greens – and animal patterns galore. A soft-colored rose or gerbera daisy in a bud vase at each place setting doubles as a party favor at the end of the party.
Create a baby baby-themed garland using small plastic trinkets like giraffes and elephants, miniature trucks and plush finger puppets. Attach your trinkets to colorful string and affix around the room. Or hang a clothesline and attach onesies to it with clothespins.
Favors
Send guests home with a grown-up but fun party favor. Fill a pretty coffee mug or small, decorative bowl with bejeweled refrigerator photo magnets, votive candles, tea bags, mints and mini chocolates. Wrap the container with sheer cellophane, tulle or tissue paper and tie with a satin ribbon.
Activiies
• printable games for baby shower
• Collect baby photos of your guests before the party, assign a number to each, and see who can match the adults to their younger selves the quickest.
• Buy 15 flavors of baby food, peel off the labels, and test everyone’s taste buds.
• Hand out out small prizes for the winners
Cake – Food and Drinks
Stork Cake
Mix three boxes of cake mix according to the instructions. Then, pour these into two, 4×6-inch bread pans, one, six-inch cake pan, and one, nine-inch cake pan, baking according to the directions. Cool the cakes completely. Next, cut one of the bread cake pans in half, creating two long legs for the stork – set aside.
Cut the other bread cake pan diagonally. Place the large nine-inch cake in the center of a covered board. Then, take one of the diagonal bread pan pieces of cake, placing the widest end flush against the round cake to form the stork’s neck. Now, cut the tip off the corner against the large round cake. Next, place the six-inch cake against the edge, connecting the stork’s head.
Now the widest part of the second diagonal piece will be placed flush against the head to form the beak. Place the legs at the bottom of the body. Once you have all the body parts together, you want to frost the entire cake using your icing of choice.
The best colors are yellow or white. However, the beak and legs will need to be orange or brown. If you want to create wings, use thin black decorator icing. Finally, place a toy wiggle eye in place and enjoy. If you do not want to go through all this work, you can create a regular 13×9-inch cake and then decorate with a stork motif like the one in the photograph.
Baby Rattle Cake
If you want a fun cake that is quick and easy to make but look great, the baby rattle cake is it. To create this cake, you would bake two eight-inch or ten-inch round cakes of your choice. Then, frost the cakes using a pastel color and decorate with baby items or piping.
Food
Keep the baby theme going with baby-size food. Mini quiches, tarts and tea sandwiches are all suitably sized main dishes.
Pair your entree with a fresh salad featuring baby carrots, cherry tomatoes and small, flavor-packed pomegranate seeds. For dessert, serve petits fours and mini cupcakes.
For nibbling throughout the party, put out bowls of tiny snacks like pastel-colored candies, olives, assorted nuts, grapes and raspberries.
Drinks
Virgin Strawberry Margaritas (serves 1)
• juice of 1/2 lime, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• one strawberry (for garnish)
• whipped cream (optional)
Add lime juice, 1/2 cup strawberries and sugar to blender. Blend on high until smooth. Pour into cocktail glass. Garnish with remaining strawberry, and top with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.