-
Welcome Period:
Have a baby shower sign in sheet where guests
can sign a pre-made cute board/book or something creative a baby shower
guest has made. This is great for those memories to look back on to see
who attended the shower. It is also great to leave room and ask for a
remark or advice as it is fun to read. Have someone who knows the most
guests at the front to greet.
-
Ice Breakers and Mingling:
The beginning of the baby shower
is great for people to get to know one another, especially if you have
different groups of friends and family. Have a pre-designated spot for
baby shower gifts. Have some finger foods and drinks as people feel more
comfortable with food and drink as they meet and greet.
-
MC
(Mother of Ceremony) and Organizers Welcome:
Have everyone
sit down (unless you are at a restaurant with everyone already sitting)
and have a little speech made to introduce the mother-to-be as well as
thanking everyone from coming. The mother to be may want to say
something which is great. It is fun to let everyone know to take
pictures, sign the welcome book/board if they have not and to get food.
More time to socialize and for the mother to be to walk around is fun.
-
Game Time:
While people are finishing eating, it is fun to
start the baby shower games and have those baby shower guests that want
to play get involved while the others can watch or socialize. Some games
are great to play as a group so no one feels like they have to
participate if they just want to be an active spectator.
-
Dessert Time:
After playing the baby shower games, it is
great to serve the desserts. Whether you have them on a table or are at
a restaurant and are each served, this is a great time for speeches for
anyone that wants to speak and give their funny or sentimental thoughts
about the mother and father to be.
-
Gift Giving:
It is customary to give the host(s) and
planner(s) who throws the baby shower a gift for helping. This gift can
be more sentimental than expensive and is a little thank you and
memento. This is the time the mommy-to-be usually thanks everyone and
especially those that helped plan the party as well as her mom and
mother-in-law.
-
Present Opening:
It is customary at the end of the baby
shower to open the baby shower gifts for those who want to stay. Many
like to watch what the mommy-to-be gets as gifts. The end time is always
nice as no-one is committed to have to stay for the entire gift opening.
It is also a time for social conversation for those who want to sit in
the back and talk. It is very helpful for someone to take notes for the
mommy-to-be on what she gets from whom so she can later write the thank
you cards. Even better, it is a major gift to help write out the thank
you envelopes and beginning of each card as a gift for the mommy-to-be
which she will appreciate.
-
End of the Party:
As the party winds down, it is usually the
time that people say their goodbyes and eat the last of the dessert. It
is helpful for someone to help the mommy-to-be with the clean up (if at
a house) and to get the gifts into the car (if driving).
