As with any special event there is a special type of etiquette for baby showers that is polite to follow not only for the one hosting the baby shower but also for the mom to be. If you are not sure what to do or say in regards to a baby shower here are some tips for proper baby shower etiquette to follow.

First of all if you are the one hosting the baby shower you should send out invitations to all the guests that you think the mom to be would like to invite to her shower. If the shower is a surprise see if you can get with her spouse or a close family member or friend to get the phone numbers and addresses you will need to send out the invitation. You will want to send out invitations at least two weeks before the shower. If you are the one receiving a baby shower invitation you should always RSVP to the phone number mentioned in the invitation so that the host knows exactly what they will need to buy for the shower. Even if an emergency pops up that prevents you from going be sure to call and let them know you cannot make it.

Next be prepared to spend at least a couple of hours at the shower. Baby showers generally last between 2-3 hours if not more. If you do not think you can stay that long but still want to make an appearance be sure to tell the host and mom to be you would love to stay longer but unfortunately you have pressing matters at hand that you have to get to. If you are the hostess be sure to expect the unexpected. While it is a good idea to just go with the flow it is okay to have a general schedule of the shower as well so that way you are still in a good time frame.

Always go up and recognize the mom to be. It is a very special day for her and one she will remember for always. It is polite to ask her how she is feeling and let her know how excited you are for her. If you are the host or hostess be sure to take plenty of pictures for her as she will want them for the baby book and for mementos.

As a host or hostess you should at least serve snacks and a baby shower cake. Some choose to go all out and have a lunch or dinner planned but you should at least have some appetizers for people to snack on during the festivities. This does not have to be fancy but just some general items as well as some punch, water, iced tea or soda to offer the guests and the mom to be.

Next and this is for everyone, have a good time! It is a party so you should talk, laugh, exchange stories and even play some baby shower games! If there are gifts brought to the expectant mom be sure to watch her unwrap them and ooh and ahhh over them with her. If you are a guest you can go the extra mile and offer to stay behind and help clean up afterwards. Doing these things help make the baby shower a special day for the expectant mom that she will look on with fond memories later on down the road!

Organizing a baby shower for a friend is both a lot of fun and a lot of responsibility. It’s helpful to have a collection of simple baby shower ideas to get the planning process off to a successful start.

One of the most important ingredients in creating a fun baby shower is finding the right cake. When choosing a cake it’s best to consider the tastes of the mother-to-be. For instance, if she’s a chocolate lover a layer cake with a rich chocolate frosting would work nicely. A fun option for a baby due in October is a cake decorated with a light-hearted Halloween theme. If your guest of honor prefers homemade pie, find a traditional pie recipe and put your culinary skills to work.

A delicious gathering of refreshments is also a significant part of a successful baby shower. Once again, think about the types of foods that the mother-to-be enjoys. A selection of finger foods is one idea. Finger foods range from potato chips to miniature homemade cucumber sandwiches. If the expectant mother likes picnic fare, offer baked beans, potato salad, hot dogs, and coleslaw. A mixture of vegetables and fruits will also add color to your refreshment table.

Any party organizer knows it is helpful to establish a theme for a baby shower. For example, if the baby shower has a football theme, the cake, the decorations, the invitations, and even the games will all carry that motif. In fact, figuring out the theme of a baby shower is one of the most creative elements in the process. Depending on the personality of the mother-to-be, a baby shower theme might reflect her interest in a particular movie, band, sports team, book, hobby, or holiday. Once the baby shower’s theme is set, an organizer’s imagination can take over.

Music is an entertaining addition to the atmosphere of any baby shower. A CD of lullabies is a popular choice for background music. If the expectant mother has a beloved collection of songs she listens to, try playing that during the shower. If the baby shower has a Halloween theme, find a CD of silly or spooky haunted house sound effects to play. A gathering of sappy love songs would be perfect for a baby shower with a Valentine’s Day theme. Make it a point to choose music that somehow fits with the theme of the baby shower.

Finally, another baby shower idea is a round of games is a common feature of any baby shower. Bingo, word scrambles, and word find games are all traditional favorites. A collection of games that directly relates to the mother-to-be and her life are especially entertaining. For instance, a trivia game might involve questions about the expectant mother’s interests, pregnancy food cravings, or even how she met her husband. Another game might involve giving the guests one minute to list all of the names she considered for her baby. Baby shower games with a personal touch let the mother-to-be know she is loved and appreciated by her friends.