Baby showers are usually created to celebrate the impending arrival of the new baby and have the new mom spend some quality time with friends and family. All that is required is good company, perhaps a small lunch and a good conversation. The new mom is probably so happy about the upcoming bundle of joy; anything beyond a simple get-together will make her happy. You can still surprise her – in the form of a fun event, cute and/or useful gifts and entertainment (a.k.a baby shower games).
Event
Most frequently the shower is hosted at a family or friend’s place. It can be a simple lunch and cake. Invitations can be sent 2-3 weeks prior to the event and a simple RSVP by phone is appropriate. If you know that it is a boy or a girl (or both), let the guests know, in case they want to select specific gifts. Someone should help the new mom write down the gifts, so she can thank everyone later on. Having a special theme makes the event more fun. Consider these ideas:
- Garden Tea Party. This will be a lot of fun if the new mom is expecting a girl. Set up tea and small sandwiches outside, place flowers on the tables and pretend you are a little girl again!
- Spa shower.Unless she is on bed rest, any new mom will get a kick out of a day of pampering at the spa. Everyone can enjoy little spa treats and then celebrate with lunch and gifts.
- Pottery day. All the guests can get together at a pottery shop where you can make your own gifts for the new mom. It is a great environment for chatting and relaxing among friends. A similar idea is a Jewelry making day.
- What will the future hold? Invite a tarot or palm reader and have everyone get readings. This is a great magical theme many will enjoy. You can then ask the guests to write a good wish for the future child and place in a magic box, for the mom and baby to open later on.
- Movie day. Ask the guests and the new mom in advance what their favorite children’s movie is and then select a few to show during the shower. You can serve popcorn and movie-theater sweets. It’s a lot of fun to also show the video of the new mom as a little girl, if you have it (or slides if you have the pictures). Movie-loving moms will really appreciate this event.
There are plenty of other events you may host, and these days husbands (future dads) are frequently included, so it’s a shower for both parents.
Baby Shower Games
Triumphant grandmothers love these games. You really need experience to come up on top of these games, but playing is a lot of fun for everyone. Having been to dozens of baby showers, I can name a few popular ones:
- Guess the Baby Food. Everyone is given 5 baby food jars with the label taken off. You are supposed to guess which baby food is in each jar. Though peas look a lot like green beans and carrots like squash, try your best; winner gets a prize.
- Fill in the blanks. Read a portion of a story from a popular baby book and fill in the missing words. Once the baby arrives, the mom will have turned the pages so many times, she will be able to recite most of the books by heart. Winner gets a baby book.
- Picture perfect. Ask the guests and the new mom in advance to bring a few of their baby pictures. Number them on the back. Then, everyone has to guess who the baby turned out to be.
- What is this toy? If you watch This Old House, they do a similar trick with a mystery tool and they surprise you with the answer. There are plenty of odd baby toys. Find 3-5 and have your guests guess what they are and how you use them.
- Guess the waist. Some new moms may not enjoy this one, but it can generate plenty of laughs. Have everyone guess the length of the new mom’s waist. The winning number (or closest number) gets the prize.
- New Mom’s history day. This one goes well with the Future Party day. Prepare a list of questions about the new mom and see who gets it right. From her childhood to college days, these questions will help everyone learn more about the new mom.
- Can you multi-task with a baby? Well, this is a rhetorical question. This is a game where each player is given 2 distractions (for example, a phone and a baby bottle) and tries to diaper a baby (doll) while holding both of these.
Most Useful Gift Ideas
Most first-time moms will register for baby gifts they are mostly likely to need. If one of these is on the list, get it, or surprise her – these gifts are true favorites! (In no particular order). You can also never go wrong with onesies, baby blankets and small toys.
1. Bouncer. It’s good for occasional naps, helps colicky babies and may be a way for you to get 15 minutes of rest.
2. Baby Gym. At first, it’s a way for baby to learn new shapes and toys, later on – a fun tactile place to roll around and pull on things. Plenty of entertainment abound.
3. Sleepsacks. It’s a good idea to give a few of these – a warmer one for the colder season and a thinner cotton one for the warmer season. Plus, it’s good to have extras to change it if one gets wet. Always put the baby to sleep on her back, and sleepsacks are very helpful in this.
4. Baby Monitor. Knowing that your baby is peacefully asleep is a relief and monitors will let you know without having to get up and check yourself. This is a sound investment.
5. Healthcare kit. Something that includes a couple of thermometers, a nail file, a nasal aspirator, medicine dropper, etc. is a must for a new mom.
6. Baby tub. While many will be able to wash the little pumpkin in the sink for a number of weeks or even months, having a tub is very useful. Pick one with a non-slid bottom and a nice but high enough recline. The tubs that are able to fold are more practical.
7. Stroller. There are so many choices on the market today! You can find any kind of stroller for any activity and budget. My advice for moms is to think ahead to see how you plan to use it most. If you are an avid runner, Bob strollers are incredible. If you are always running a lot of errands, pick one with good storage. If you are expecting twins, find a double stroller. Also think about how it fits in your car and how easy it is to fold it with one hand (you will be doing that maneuver frequently). MacLaren, Bob and Graco are the three brands I seem to see the most on playgrounds. Car seat is a definite necessity but I would suggest either getting a combination stroller/car seat, so they match and work together, or leave it to the future parents.
