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Baby Showers: Wrap It Up, bAbY! On Gift Bags and Goodbyes
by Marni Wynne
Wow, you've made it and your guests begin trickling out the front door on their way home! When guests begin to leave, it can become chaotic for you so let’s have look at the close of the party and the last minute details for the party to go off famously.
On Gift Bags: Who doesn't like the party favors? Do you really need them? OF COURSE You do! But don't let baby shower bling break your bank. Stick to your budget! Gift bags are a way of expressing your appreciation to guests for attending the baby shower. Let’s face it, who hasn't enjoyed unwrapping a special gift just for attending a party--and don't we all look forward to the party favors?
As guests begin leaving, be prepared to get up every time, thank them for coming, hand out gift bags, prizes, coats...purses, etc., etc. Chances are you will repeat this routine several times over, bidding guests farewell, all within a span of 15 minutes or so while remaining guests will linger a tad longer--also requiring your attentiveness. Helping hands are a blessing at this point. Consider assigning key shower players to party-end details such as gift-bag distributors, coat and purse retrievers and miscellaneous other shower - end details.
You will save yourself a ton of grief and hassle if you will have a designated table (with the gift bags and prizes) set up near where guests leave . Having this table ready accessible to guests as they pass by on their way out enables them to grab what they need. Remind guests near the close of the baby shower not to forget their gifts and or prizes on the designated table. Having a list of guests who won what prize will help eliminate the confusion of collecting prizes.
- TFT TIP: Consider having a few extra gift favors on hand for unexpected guests not initially accounted for.
Employing a few extra helpers and allowing everyone to collect their own gift bags and prizes from the table frees you to spend your time thanking guests and distributing coats/purses in a relaxed manner.
- TFT Tip: If room allows, consider keeping coats and purses readily accessible for the guests to retrieve themselves such as an emptied front coat closet or coat tree. Always keep personal items close to the exit and definitely on the same floor as the party. No need to climb the stairs endlessly!
The BIG Wrap-Up: How to get mommy-to-be all her gifts home? Inevitably there will be some fairly bulky items.You will have to figure out how to get shower presents from point A, the baby shower to point B, the baby's nursery. Here's where extra helping hands play a vital role. Unless mommy-to be drives an SUV a volunteer will most likely need to help transport plunder from the baby shower to the expectant mother's home. Someone will need to carry the heavy objects, and spouses are great in that department! Have some muscle arms on stand-by for after party details like transporting bulky gifts.
On clean-up duty, it is best to clean through out the party. Have a trash bag handy for wrapping paper as presents are unwrapped. Take care of food clean-up and storage as all guests relax and visit. Quickly load dishes into the dishwasher or have the trashcan empty and ready to be filled if you are using paper products for dishes and plastic for cutlery and cups. Cleaning as you go will reduce the clean-up time after the party. If the party is really big and the mess is even bigger, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
- TFT TIP: Consider employing younger girls that are children of key shower players to help in this department. A party favor in exchange will delight and you will have much needed peace of mind when it comes to clean-up!
WHEW! The party is over, mommy-to-be has a nice plunder, her guest list complete with addresses and the thank you notes in her hot little hand... your job is OVER! Now go get some chocolate, maybe a glass of wine and run yourself a nice HOT bubble bath! Nicely done!
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