Hosting a baby shower is a big responsibility. After all, the mom-to-be is depending on you (even is the shower is a surprise and she doesn’t yet know she’s depending on you) to throw a successful shower.

 

Start by creating a guest list. Call on the mom-to-be or on other family and friends of the mom-to-be to be sure that you create a comprehensive list. Send out invitations well ahead of time – at least a couple of weeks – and follow up with phone calls or e-mails as reminders a few days ahead of the event.

 

Plan food that is mom-friendly. If the mom has had gestational diabetes, go sugar-free. If there are other diet requirements, make your menu reflect that. Mom is, after all, the guest of honor at this party.

 

Go practical with the decorations. Use cloth diapers folded and rolled to form a cake and then decorate with rattles, thermometers and other necessities for mom and baby. Use baby socks for the mom’s corsage and challenge those attending to use this idea for making bows for the gifts.

 

Make a list of items that have already been purchased for guests so that doubling up is at a minimum.

 

Plan some activities for the baby shower. You can challenge guests to give the baby names for various animals (a cow’s baby is a calf, as is a baby whale) or have guests offer up the most ridiculous baby names they can think of.

 

With a little planning, anyone can host a great baby shower. Just take time to plan and start your preparations well ahead of the date set aside for the event.