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Baby Shower :: Fine Tune, It's In The Details
The baby shower theme, the baby shower invites, the menu ...
by Marni Wynne
You've got the date and time, you've got the guest list .... Now let's get to the nitty-gritty :: The theme (all fun parties have a theme), the baby shower invites and the menu.
Two MAJOR points need to be discussed at this juncture: Your timeline and your budget. The rest of your baby shower planning process hinges on these two items.
Your Timeline: On good advice, it is best to have a detailed timeline written out to keep you and other major party players on track. Don't let this freak you out; Talk For Tots has put together a Baby Shower Timeline that feautures important details and will make your party planning a breeze.
Giving yourself 8 weeks to plan will give you ample time, especially in the final planning phases. With 8 weeks planning time, when the unexpected happens wiggle room is a blessing! For your peace of mind, download our FREE Baby Shower Timeline.
On Baby Shower Budgeting: It’s time to consider your budget. Throwing mommy-to-be is a wonderful gift. Give yourself a gift by realistically setting a budget so that you do not overspend! You should start by looking at what you can afford and the type of budget you have to play with. Are you footing the bill yourself? Are other family members contributing funds to the baby shower? How much will you have to pull off a nice baby shower?
Having a group of people together to support and pamper the mommy-to-be is the most important part of a baby shower! So don't break your bank! There are ways to reduce costs without skimping and bargains are plentiful! When calculating your budget, you will need to consider the party’s duration, your menu, beverages, and how many prizes/party favors you will have. Budget about $15 at a minimum per guest. A party with 10 -15 guests will run you somewhere around $150 - $225. More elaborate baby showers with longer guests can reach into the $300 - $375 range. Budgeting is a must and a must-have is our FREE Budget A Baby Shower Worksheet.
You've sketched the timeline to keep you on track, you've set your budget ... Now let's make it a party!
The Theme: To Theme, or not to theme? That is a good question!
- Party Planning Note: Going beyond the basics of blue or pink, yellow or green is entirely up to you and your budget. It is acceptable to go the minimal theme route, especially for less creative people. Baby showers are a gift to the expectant mother ;)
Baby Showers are parties with a theme by default. So let's spend some time on creating a theme. Here are some basic tips to theme based baby showers:
Purchase everything at the same time, including your baby shower invitations. If you have used our FREE Budget A Baby Shower Worksheet, purchasing all these items at the same time will lessen the blow of the bill. You know exactly how much to spend and where to stop.
Invitations and thank you notes should be purchased together and will excite guests when they are theme based. Talk For Tots has a wide selection of baby shower invitations and matching thank you notes to choose from that will fit with just about any theme.
Next, purchase decorations that reflect your theme. Balloons with matching streamers and centerpieces are great ways to set the ambiance of your baby shower. Browse these sites window shop and start your creative juices flowing:
The Menu: Presentation is everything and food is no exception! Every party-goer loves a nice spread and when the menu is as presentable as it is delectable, your baby bash will be the talk of the town for weeks to come. The menu is as big of a production as the baby shower itself so be sure to download our FREE Baby Shower Menu Manager and then consider the following items when you plan the baby shower menu.
First things first. Consult with mommy-to-be about her current likes/dislikes. What a travesty to plan a menu that just doesn't sit well with the expectant mom or is comprised of foods she simply can't have at this time. Once you have discussed the menu with her, you can refer to your budget and begin planning the menu.
Themes will change you choice of menu items. For instance, a brunch might consist of finger sandwhiches, light beverages and dainty deserts while an evening baby shower may include hors d’oeuvres, a main course and delectable dessert. A late afternoon lunch with a baseball theme will be different -- you might do finger foods like doggies in a blanket, mixed roasted nuts, potato chips and good old fashioned ice cream and cake. Narrowing the meal plan and foods that reflect your theme will help you decide the menu plan or even whether you hire with a caterer.
- TFT Tip: Consider the time of year that you are having your baby shower. Choosing foods that are in season will help keep you on track with your budget and could alter your menu plans. The time of day will also dictate whether finger foods are most appropriate or if a sit down dinner is the route to take. Download our FREE Baby Shower Menu Manager to make sure you stay within budget and that your menu planning is a breeze.
Should you prepare the food yourself or have the party catered?
Consider these questions when deciding to prepare food yourself:
- How much time will you have to prepare the food?
- Do you have others who will help prepare food / set up or are you going it alone?
Consider these points when hiring a caterer:
- Budgeted allowance
- Caterer's willingness to accommodate special allowances and requests
TFT Quick Menu Tips For A Successful Baby Shower Party:
- Beverages: Variety is the key here. Everything from water to light juices to sodas. Plan to offer teas and coffee as well and don't forget to have sugar and cream available. Co-ed baby showers that are more relaxed might offer light cocktails, beer and wine, but typically, this is not the arena that alcoholic beverages are served. To avoid the stress of this, it is best to just keep the focus on mommy-to-be abd the new little life on the way ;)
- Hors d’oeuvres: Better known as apetizers :) these are a great little tool to keep your menu costs at a minimum believe it or not, especially if you prepare them yourself. They can be a great party ice-breaker and conversational piece and can play a tummy filler role before the main course is served :) Try to offer 3 to 5 appetizers, ready available for guests at the start of the baby shower. Also, consider offering a bowl of mixed nuts, a plate of traditional mint candies, snack-sized pretzels, and maybe a variety of chips strategically placed at your shower for people to snack at will. Veggie trays can be fairly inexpensive if you prepare them yourself in advance.
- The Main Course: Your baby shower can be successful without a main course, especially if you offer many snacking options. If however, your baby shower is a sit-down dinner, the main course is the main part of your meal, or your buffet, when everyone dines together. Structure the main course with only one or two choices of meat, veggies, potato and a bun. At a buffet scenario, you'll want to offer 2 or 3 choices of each. Hiring a caterer can take much of the stress away from these decisions as they usually have a couple different options of a menu plan to choose from.But again, be mindful of your budget because this type of a shower can get pretty spendy!
- Desserts: Rule of thumb: bring out and offer desserts 20 minutes after the meal is finished. This is a perfect opening for a baby shower game or for mommy-to-be to open her gifts. Guests can let their stomachs settle and you can direct the coffee and tea service to begin. Coffee and tea go best with desserts so offer them at the same time--be sure to offer caffiene free tea and coffee for those guests who prefer decaffinated beverages. The dessert phase is a great way to stay on task with your baby shower so having extra helping hands during this time is best.
Don't forget download and print our FREE Baby Shower Menu Manager before you begin planning your menu. Happy Baby Shower Menu Planning!
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