I’m in baby shower mode! This weekend my sweet friends and family are throwing one for me and Joshua. I’m also in the midst of planning one for a dear friend who is expecting her first baby in August. I thought I’d share a few tips for creating an event that is both beautiful and memorable for mommy-to-be. Remember that baby showers don’t have to break the bank. Most of these ideas don’t cost much money, they just take time and planning. I’m sharing these tips along with some photos of the shower I was given before Hope arrived. It’s been so sweet to reflect on the memory of that special day!
1. Create an atmosphere that reflects mom-to-be or her nursery theme. This is perhaps the most important thing. Ask her subtle questions about her wishes or peruse her registry to find out what she is planning for baby. Then find items that reflect her personality and theme. I went completely shabby chic when Hope was born. My friends did a wonderful job recreating that in everything from my invitations to decor to a shower scrap book. All of the items pictured here came from their own homes.
2. Include a special food item that is her personal favorite. For me it was petit fours from a local bakery. I’d bought them several times for other showers I’d thrown. Now it was my turn and I had to have them. My hostesses were tuned in enough to know they meant a lot to me and they delivered! Beautiful and delicious little cakes. Yum! Find out what your mommy-to-be loves. Maybe it’s a cake or another type of treat. Perhaps it’s a finger food item. Whatever it is, try to include it in the menu.
3. Use fresh flowers or other natural elements in arrangements that enhance your decor or theme. Obviously you may not want pink roses on your table scape for a baby boy shower. Get creative. Branches and twigs can be used as well to create a more masculine, natural feel. Find interesting containers or vases and go to town filling them with breathtaking outdoor elements that bring life to your decor.
4. Add personal touches that involve mom-to-be and her spouse. Just because dad-to-be isn’t present, doesn’t mean he can’t be celebrated. My hostesses asked for photos of us for the decor. This particular one is from years ago when we vacationed in London. It was a very special time (pre-kids) and this reminded me of the importance of our relationship in the midst of our baby celebration. If you are throwing a shower for a single mom-to-be, use photos of when she was a baby or ask guests to write (and read) short notes encouraging and exhorting her.
5. Find unique ways to bless and encourage mom-to-be and involve guests. My mom had the amazing idea of asking every guest to bring a book to my shower to build Hope’s library. I was not only blessed with many gifts, I was also blessed with a basket of books that we still read every night to Hope. Perhaps the best part is the personal notes that everyone wrote in the book they gave that we stumble upon each time we open the pages. Some other ideas for showering mom-to-be with extra blessings:
Ask each guest to write a note of encouragement or a new-mom tip on a card and place them in a scrap book for her after the shower.
Buy thank you cards and have each guest write out their name and address on the envelopes. One less thing mom-to-be will have to do. Better yet, make an announcement to guests that you are excusing your guest of honor from having to send thank you cards. Allow her the chance to give a public thank you at the shower and free her up to spend some needed, extra time on herself before little one arrives.
Do you have a special baby shower tip or idea? We’d love to hear about it. Remember above all else to make sure the event you are hosting is unique to the mommy-to-be you are trying to bless. She will be so thankful, not only for the blessing of baby clothes and gear, but for a celebration that reflects her heart as a mother.
Happy Party Planning!
Jessica
I have a post half-written about throwing baby showers too – these are great tips!! And ohmygoodness your shower for Hope was beautiful! Breathtaking.
One thing that a friend of mine did for another was to throw her a mama-shower instead of a baby shower. It was her second pregnancy and she didn’t want any more baby stuff. The whole shower was about mum. People brought pamper stuff and painted each others nails, gave hand massages, did foot soaks, etc. We all contributed ahead of time for the gifts – two nursing tanks and gift certificates for a massage and getting her hair done, nice candles, etc. The mama-to-be was THRILLED with the party. She’s totally into that sort of thing anyway, so it really, really blessed her. Although it’s probably not my ideal shower (for myself) it was for her. And you’re right – that is so key… making it fun for the guest of honor!
I love this idea Adriel! It sometimes seems like too much to have a second shower (especially if the baby is the same sex as the first) but I always want to do something to honor my friends. I’ll definitely be using this idea at some point. Thanks for sharing!