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The Guest List for a Baby Shower
by Marni Wynne
Guest Lists can get sticky when planning a social event such as a baby shower. The guest list is the one item that can make or break the baby shower. Negotiating social pitfalls such as less than amicable friendships to warring in-laws can be daunting and this is one area that should require your attention upfront. Even without the usual social relationship issues, your guest list needs to be well thought out. Remember, this is a joyous occasion and you want your baby shower to be pleasantly memorable.
You have already decided whether or not your baby shower is a couple’s party or if it is for women only and what type of baby shower you are having. Now you need to compile the guest list and guest addresses. There are a number of ways to go about this task along with a few courtesies that you should extend, especially consulting with mommy-to-be!
Start discussing the guest list with mommy-to-be and any other people assisting you with the bulk of the shower planning process around 8 weeks in advance of the baby shower. This gives other planners and mommy-to-be plenty of time to compile their lists. It also gives you time to chase lists down without feeling more stress than necessary. Be sure to let list compilers know to include first and last names of the guests as well as complete addresses including zip or postal codes, phone numbers and their email addresses, if available. This will make your life loads simpler when the time comes to hunt down missing and overlooked RSVP’s that haven’t been returned.
- TFT Tip: Download & print our FREE Guest List Manager. Give copies out to those who will be helping you compile the guest list. Simplify ;)
When the expectant mom is actively involved in the guest list process, the baby shower is easier to plan. Mommy-to be can get you the list of who she wants to invite, and you don’t have to go fishing around for that all importnat list from daddy-to-be (who incidentally will more likely than not be less attentive to the social issues of the guest list). Don’t forget to collaborate with the grandmommies-to-be. They will most definitely want to include their own lists of special people to invite. Extending this courtesy to grandmommies-to-be will help make them feel involved and earn you the hostess with the mostess badge ;)
Confirm if anyone else is having a baby shower for the expectant mom as you compile the guest list. Other friends or family members may be hosting a baby shower as well. Mommy-to-be's place of work will often play host to an "office" shower with co-workers attending. Since most people will only attend one or perhaps two of the showers, you might be able to trim the size of the guest list., thus cutting your expense on baby shower invitations and other party expenses.
Once you have everyone's guest lists, you will need to sort through them looking for any missing contact information. Run down any missing information and transfer them to your Guest List Manager . Consider a simple three ring binder for holding all baby shower planning items like your Guest List Manager. When you are ready to send out the invitations, just pull out your Guest List manager.
After sending out invitations, use your Guest List Manager to mark which guests have sent back an RSVP. Phone any of the missing guests.
- TFT Tip: Take into consideration any social pitfalls in the way of old grudges and feuds when using your Guest Lists Manager for seat planning.
- TFT Tip: Your handy Guest List Manager will DEFINTIELY come in handy to the expectant mother when she goes to send out thank you notes for all the wonderful gifts received at the baby shower ;)
Guest lists are a breeze when you collaborate and communicate with everyone involved in the baby shower planning process.Happy Baby Shower Planning!
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