| The first step to planning and hosting successful baby | | | | host, location, date, directions, phone number for |
| showers is to prepare the guest list. Creating the initial | | | | emergencies, RSVP, where the Mommy-to-Be is |
| guest list will assist in determining how many people will | | | | registered, theme of the baby shower and any other |
| be invited. The number of guests invited to the is | | | | pertinent information |
| usually the biggest factor in developing your budget. It's | | | | Although guests can be invited to the shower by |
| always a good idea to determine if the Mommy-to-Be | | | | phone or e-mail, sending personalized invitations is still |
| is going to have other baby showers given by her | | | | the most preferred way to invite the baby shower |
| family member or friends. | | | | guests. Customized invitations are a great way to set |
| Talk to the Mommy-to-Be's family members and | | | | the theme for the party and also a reminder for the |
| friends about the other dates and list. Other than her | | | | guests to keep on their bulletin board or refrigerator |
| immediate family members, there is no need to invite | | | | door. You can purchase invitations and get the |
| people that are attending the Mommy-to-Be's other | | | | invitations exactly like you want with all your personal |
| baby showers unless you want to. Make sure you | | | | information. |
| have current addresses and phone numbers for | | | | When personalizing your printable invitations, be sure |
| everyone. This will allow you to use the guest list to | | | | and include all the pertinent information: (a) Name of |
| keep track of RSVPs. Plus you can give it to the | | | | Mommy-to-Be and hostess; (b) Location; (c) Date and |
| Mommy-to-Be so she will have everyone's correct | | | | time; (d) Directions; (e) Phone Number in case of |
| address to send personalized baby shower thank you | | | | emergency; (f) RSVP; (g) Where the Mommy-to-Be is |
| cards. | | | | registered and (h) Theme for Baby Shower |
| The hostess is likely have some idea of those the | | | | Invite Men or Not to Invite Men to the Baby Shower - |
| Mommy-to-Be wants to invite to the baby shower, but | | | | Inviting men depends on the type of shower you are |
| it is always a safe bet to run the guest list by the | | | | planning. Guys likely will not be interested in playing |
| Mommy-to-Be to ensure no one has been left off the | | | | traditional games and eating cutesy foods while |
| list. If the it is not for a first born, you might want to | | | | ooohing and aaahing over a Mommy-to-Be's tummy! |
| invite only those close to the Mommy-to-Be or those | | | | Having said that, a babyshower can be a special |
| who have not attended previous showers. | | | | event for Daddy-to-Be's as well as Mommy-to-Be if |
| Here's a quick summary of things to remember when | | | | they're organized with women and men in mind. |
| preparing the guests list:a. Check with the | | | | If the shower is not a surprise, be sure to check with |
| Mommy-to-Be's for the guest list as to who should be | | | | the Mommy-to-Be as to whether the Daddy-to-Be |
| sent baby shower invitationsb. Ensure there are no | | | | (and his friends) would enjoy a celebration. If games |
| schedule conflicts with the significant people attending, | | | | are planned at your babyshower, be sure to make |
| like Mommy-to-Be, her mom, her husband, if it is a | | | | them "men friendly." Have plenty of food available for |
| couples baby shower and best friendsc. Give the | | | | your male guests. And, it would be a nice touch to |
| invited guests enough time to purchase gifts. Custom | | | | include gifts that are special for the Daddy-to-Be like, |
| and personalized invitations should be mailed four to six | | | | an "I love my daddy" bib for the baby, a book on |
| weeks before the date of the showerd. The printed | | | | fathers and children or maybe a frame Dad can take |
| cards should include the name of the Mommy-to-Be, | | | | to the office to display a new picture of his baby! |