Throwing a baby shower is a celebration of friendship, parenting advice and the precious incoming new baby. Etiquette dictates that you don’t throw your own baby shower, a friend or family member should throw it for you. As that friend or family of the Mom-to-Be, the last thing you’ll want to do is throw an embarrassing party. It’s a special event that will not only help introduce friends and family to one another but also provide the new mom with some starter items that they will need once the baby arrives.

Hosting a Great Baby Shower

However, you might not have any clue how to throw a party–especially if this is the first child of the Mom-to-Be. The following should help you structure a baby shower that not only isn’t boring, but will be worth remembering forever!

Set the Date

The baby shower is typically held during the last two months of pregnancy. However, some couples will wait until the Guest of Honor is born and can be present. When planning a party, ask the special couple what time frame works best for them.

Make It Coed and Family Friendly

This doesn’t mean the ladies you invite will have to bring their boyfriend/husband/partner/kids but parties tend to be a lot more fun for individuals if they have co-pilot so they aren’t stuck potentially making small talk the whole time. This also helps parents come celebrate without needing to find a babysitter for the afternoon.

Supply Food, Drink & Booze

It’s not a good idea to serve your guests only cheese and some stale crackers. It’s a party, so treat your guests and yourself to a great time. Hungry party guests are not happy party guests. While there are plenty of cute and themed ideas for the baby shower food spread, you can always just supply finger sandwiches, bowls of pasta salad, fruits and veggies, if you aren’t feeling creative.

Just because the Mom-to-Be can’t drink doesn’t mean you should shy away from supplying booze at the party. Most Moms won’t be offended if guests can share a few laughs over mimosas or a glass of wine. Many moms even encourage people to drink during the shower to make sure everyone is loosened up and feeling fun!

Don’t Play Boring Games!

If you’ve ever been to a baby shower before, you have likely experienced lame games. Nobody wants to watch a grown adult in a diaper or baby bonnet trying to guess how big the Mom-to-Be has gotten. This has been done a million times and was never actually fun or funny.

Don’t make your party guests cringe, there are plenty of great shower games to play that won’t take cheap pot shots at the Mom-to-Be.

Don’t Wrap the Gifts

Unless it is a small shower with only a few people attending, don’t wrap the gifts. The process of opening all the gifts, pretending to be wowed by every single one so that your friends and family don’t feel bad that you now have three of the same baby blanket can take forever. Instead of the gift opening being the “main event” of the shower, set unwrapped presents on a table where everyone can admire them. That way everyone can see the beautiful diaper cake you bought for the Mom-to-Be without feeling like they are a hostage until the gift giving ceremony is complete.

Following the above tips is going to make sure that you have the best time possible. It will be an event that the new parents will remember and cherish forever.

Do you have any experience throwing a baby shower?