Baby Shower Planning Timeline
A baby shower is a time for celebration. To make sure the baby shower
you host is one that guests talk about for a long time (in a positive
way) do yourself a favor and follow this baby shower planning timeline.
If you're planning to have a baby shower for the mother-to-be before
her scheduled delivery, it's best to select a shower date that's at
least 6 weeks before the baby is scheduled to arrive. That allows time
for the unexpected, such as when the baby wants to come into this world
sooner than the doctor planned. If Mom is having any complications, then
it may be best to plan the shower for a couple of weeks after the
planned delivery date.
Here is the suggested baby shower planning timeline:
6 to 8 Weeks Prior to Baby Shower
With or without the expectant mother begin working on the guest
list and decide a date and time for the shower, whether there will
be a theme, and
where the shower will be held
Reserve the shower location and corresponding details, if
necessary
Order/purchase
baby
shower invitations
Arrange for photographer
Put together food and beverage list
4 to 6 Weeks Prior to Baby Shower
Finalize guest list, address and mail invitations
Coordinate
shower games including prizes
Shop for
shower favors
Shop for
decorations and coordinating paper goods (streamers,
centerpieces, signage, flags, etc.) If you want to shop online, here
are some places that have baby shower supplies:
Finalize/coordinate the menu details
3 Weeks Prior to Baby Shower
Confirm reservation for shower if being held somewhere other than
home
If holding shower at home, begin gathering ample tables, chairs,
serving utensils, platters and bowls to accommodate all guests and
food
1 Week Prior to Baby Shower
Outline baby shower schedule of activities –
games, food, gift
opening, and entertainment
Contact guests who did not RSVP so you can finalize guest count
If baby shower will be held at home, start cleaning
Order cake
Order
flowers/floral arrangements
Begin shopping for food ingredients
Prepare foods that can be frozen
Coordinate transportation to and from location for mother-to-be
(remember she'll leave with much more than she arrived with!)
2 Days Prior to Baby Shower
Rearrange furniture to accommodate guests' table and chairs
Decorate
Reconfirm cake order
Reconfirm shower location details (if applicable)
Identify and decorate a gift table
Begin prep work for food
1 Day Before Baby Shower
Finish preparing food
Finish cleaning house
Select a comfortable chair for mother-to-be and position it
prominently
Get cameras ready or verify photographer
Order balloons to mark the party location
Put out garbage receptacles/bags for wrappings and other trash
Day of Baby Shower
If shower is being held somewhere other than home, arrive before
shower begins to decorate and to check on food, drinks, cake, and
other details.
Otherwise...
Arrange food and beverages on designated tables
Pick up flowers/floral arrangements
Pick up balloon bouquets
Pick up cake
Greet guests upon arrival
Stick to the schedule of activities
Try to relax and have fun too!
Day After Baby Shower
Upload digital photos to
printing site or album site
More Baby Shower articles |
