Virtual Baby Shower to Honor Adoptive Mother and Guests

Baby showers have come an incredibly long way in the twenty-first century. When it comes to rejoicing the arrival of a new baby, the Internet has provided an excitingly fresh venue to celebrate new mothers and their children. Trailblazing the way for digital baby showers is a mother-owned and operated company called Little Ladybug Designs that has announced the winner of their giveaway contest of gifts, baby products, and other necessities for a newly adopted child.

Adoptive mother, Dawn Vasco, winner of the contest and mother of her new son Steven, will be the guest of honor at Little Ladybug Designs’ shower. Dawn won’t need to worry about baby announcements, clothes, diaper bags, bibs, or towels, among many other baby accessories—and most of hers are personalized or handmade. Little Ladybug Designs’ own website, www.littleladybugdesigns.com, will be hosting the baby shower in the excited mother’s honor. Set to take place March 27th to March 29th, guests can simply visit the website in order to have the chance to play baby name games and test their knowledge of celebrity baby names, among many other amusing activities.
 

Baby Shower Games Can Be Fun And Inexpensive

Are you planning a baby shower? Are you trying to figure out what to do? If so, here are a few fun baby shower game ideas for you.

The key to great baby shower games is to be short and fun. The games will serve as ice breakers if the guests do not know each other, and the themes should always be babies. For a typical baby shower in which no full meals are served, expect to be able to play two or three games.

Icebreaker Games

These games will get your guests interacting.

Who Am I, the Baby Version - In this game, players are each given a piece of paper with the name of a famous person on it. They do not look at the name, but tape it to their forehead. They then must figure out who they are by the reactions of the other guests. In the baby version, consider using only famous celebrity mothers, or perhaps cartoon characters. Be creative!

Who Is That Baby? - Before the party, have guests send you photos of themselves as a baby. Have each guest try to match the baby picture with the correct adult. The person with the most matches wins.

Don’t Say It - When guests arrive, give them each a pacifier on a ribbon which they can wear over their neck. Instruct them that they are not allowed to say “baby” during the party. If another guest catches them at it, the can take their pacifier. At the end of the party, the guest with the most pacifiers wins.

Word Games

Baby Boggle - Come up with a fun sentence about the baby and the mother-to-be. See how many baby related words guests can make in three minutes from the letters. Everyone reads their list, crossing off duplicates, and the person with the most remaining wins. Use a phrase such as “So there’s going to be a new [parents’ last name] in the world!”

Advice Poem - Have someone write down a short piece of advice to the new mother. Then have the next person write down a line to create a poem about advice they have for the new mom. Continue with each guest adding a line, but each time, fold the paper so that the only line visible is the last one that was written. At the end, have someone read the finished poem. It is sure to contain lots of good advice in quite a funny way. This can also be done with guests writing a poem about the mother-to-be. This is especially good at a “Pamper Mommy” themed party.

Time Capsule - Have each guest write a short note to the baby. Seal the notes in a plastic bag and place them in a box for the mother-to-be, telling her she can open them with her child on his or her fifteenth birthday.

Games with Gifts

Assuming everyone is bringing a gift, you can easily create a game around them.

Baby Box - Ask every guest to bring a small item such as a rattle or a pacifier. As they arrive, place the items in a box which has a small hole cut in the side. After all the guests have arrived, give each person 20 seconds to touch as many items as they can (no peeking!), then have them write down what they felt. The person with the most correct wins.

Active Games

These games will get the guests up off the couch.

Diaper Tower - Have guests stack as many diapers as they can without the tower falling over. Of course, the mother-to-be gets to keep the diapers!

Tree Planting - Have guests help plant a tree in honor of the baby. This is especially nice if the mother-to-be recently moved into a new home. (Of course, get her input on the type of tree she would like.)

Dirty Diapers - Buy ten different chocolate candy bars (Snickers, Hershey’s, etc.). Melt the bars and put each into a separate diaper. Hang diapers along a clothesline before the guest arrive. Give each guest a piece of paper and have them smell all the diapers (take lots of pictures!). The winner is the guest who correctly identifies each candy bar.

Other Games

Are You Hungry? - Before dessert is served, bring in a tray of various baby foods, with the labels removed. Number each bottle and have the guests look at each (no tasting or smelling!) and write down what they think it contains. The winner is the person who identifies the most correct foods.

Pacifier Pass - Have everyone put a pen or pencil (or chopstick) in their mouth. Place a pacifier on the end of one of the pencils. Guests must pass the pacifier around the circle without using their hands. If a guest drops the pacifier, they are out. The winner is the last person still in the circle.

Bottle Race - Time guests drinking juice from a bottle - the fastest time wins! This is best done as a race, with white grape juice or something else that won’t stain. And once again, the mother-to-be keeps the bottles.

Gifts for the Winners

Gifts for the winners of the baby shower games can vary, but something inexpensive like shower gel or coffee will do nicely. Or guests can rack up points for each game they play (100 to the winner, 90 to second place, etc.) and at the end of the night the grand prize winner can take home something a little nicer, such as a restaurant gift certificate or bottle of wine.

While you can buy baby shower games from most party stores, the games that are the most fun are those you create with the mother-to-be specifically in mind. A new mother will also appreciate it if any of the games result in baby items she can keep, and the guests will love a door prize. One way to get something every mother needs: tell guests that there is going to be a raffle, and the cost of entry is a pack of diapers. They can enter as many times as they would like. Then either buy or make a gift basket. For instance, the prize could be a bottle of wine, pasta, sauce, parmesan cheese, and some yummy cookies in a basket. It could also be a gift certificate to a restaurant or spa. This will keep the new mother in diapers for quite awhile!

Jennifer Barnett is a successful party planner providing valuable tips and advice on planning a baby shower that is inexpensive, fun for the guests with baby shower games, and choosing the perfect baby shower gift.

 

Ideas For Baby Shower Games

Baby shower games are a must when you’re planning to have a baby shower and want to entertain your guests. A good baby shower game needs to be fun yet appropriate for the entire family and those who attend.

When planning a baby shower (or any party for that matter) you need to keep in mind the different characters of your guests. You can’t please everyone, but you can make the theme enjoyable to most. For example, baby shower bingo games are pretty popular but do you think those in attendance will appreciate it?

There are plenty of ideas for baby shower games. Unless you’re so inclined, you don’t need to spend hours creating your own baby shower games. Finding the right shower party games can be a little challenging but there are a few places where you can find help.

For instance, you can search the internet for printable activities that can be used to fill up the dead space of time between presents, cake, and snack. There’re great resources online that offer free printable baby shower games.

One of my neighbors who was planning a baby shower told me she found a site that offers over one-hundred different printable activities for party guests. You can find a variety of cool free baby shower games that you can download and print. Some require you to have Adobe Reader in order to print the stuff.

If your party is going to last for hours, it would be a good idea to include some active baby shower games for your guess just to add a little variety, and so they don’t get bored.

If you’re religious, you may want to add some religious element to the celebration by including some baby shower games that educate, inform, and entertain at the same time.

Selecting the menu and party decorations, as well as deciding the right date for the event and sending the invitations may overwhelm you, but just imagine the joy and excitement of the mom-to-be on the day of the party. Although finding the right baby shower games can be a bit challenging, it’s comforting to know that you have a selection of baby shower games and ideas available online, and many of them are free.

Thanks to Cool Info Lounge

Having a Baby Shower? It's As Easy As 1-2-3

Get everything you need to help you plan the baby shower that you are going to have for Mommy-to-Be and get everything for free!

This Baby Shower Party Planning Package includes:

Pre-printed baby shower invitations that you can personalize, or the instructions and templates you can use for making your own, including matching mailing and return address labels

Pre-printed baby shower guest book pages, and options for putting together a baby shower guest book that can also be used by Mommy-to-Be for doing her thank-you cards

A baby shower table decoration idea that is easy to make following the illustrated instructions provided and matches the motif of the invitations and guest book

Pre-printed thank-you cards that Mommy-to-Be can use that also match the baby shower invitations and guest book

Baby shower games

More free printable baby shower clipart that you can use to make your own invitations, guest book pages, table decoration, banners, and thank you cards following the instructions that accompany the pre-printed versions!

Baby shower cupcake treats that you can decorate with the same motif as the entire package.

You don't need anything special, and everything can be made using plain computer paper (although there are options for using card stock or postcard stock).

Read more about this on Jan's Free content.

Eco Baby Shower

One of the mainstream parenting magazines recently ran an article on having an earth-friendly shower. But honestly, it was just more consumerism in disguise (like all the supplies you’d have to go out and buy to make the “craft project” instead of doing typical shower games). The article suggested that it would be environmentally friendly to use durable plates and cutlery (Yes!), but included another project where you wrap up the cutlery in yards of ribbon and little baby washcloths to look like flowers (No!). I guess you can give the washclothes to the mom-to-be, but the amount of ribbon that would be required would not only be expensive but well, a big pile of ribbon, left over at the end.

Thanks to Maternal Journey for sharing this with our readers.
 

Learn the tips on planning a baby shower

What comes to mind after hearing the four magic words, “We’re having a baby?” A baby shower, certainly. Arranging a party with the hopeful parents’ closest friends and family members is the ideal way of expressing “Congratulations,” or “We’re happy for you,” or “Best wishes.” Aimed at further boosting the parents-to-be’s exhilaration for the future member of their family, the baby shower is regularly hosted by a close friend or relative, at any time through the last months of the pregnancy.

Just like any other party, a baby shower requires cautious planning to make sure that it will go as easily as possible, and be outstanding for everyone. Even though there are no rules cast in stone in preparing for a baby shower, there are various helpful tips to follow to help the host organize every aspect of the event.

1. Decide on the location.

The majority baby showers are held at the parent-to-be’s house, since the hopeful mother’s health needs to be considered. It is optional for small, intimate parties, with only the closest friends and family members. Guests also tend to be more contented if the party’s setting is at home. If the expectant parents love the outdoors, a barbecue party at their garden or a local park may also be an option. Naturally, the weather must be considered – baby shower does not exactly mean soaking the guests in the rain.

For less complication, the host may set aside a secluded area in a restaurant or bar. It may be more expensive, but at least the decoration, food and drinks, as well as the post-party cleanup will already be taken care of.

2. Choose the party’s theme.

For easier decoration ideas, a theme may be decided upon. Mull over the expectant parents’ favorite movies or hangouts. A further option is to adorn the party site by re-creating the place where they had their honeymoon, such as a cruise ship, or Paris-inspired café. As the party will also be a celebration of the future baby, a childish atmosphere may also be measured. Select cartoon characters, bright colors, and other designs depending on the baby’s gender.

3. Finalize the menu.

The party’s menu will depend upon the time of the event. In the majority baby showers, the host serves finger food, pastries and other baked goods for convenience. Though, if the event will be held during lunch or dinner time, heavier meals will logically be served. Alcoholic drinks may also be prepared, depending on the guests’ preference.

4. Design a fun program.

Contrary to what most people consider, a baby shower is not only limited to mingling around, gift giving, eating and drinking. Fun games may also be integrated, such as charades, or those which will bring back the guests’ childhood memories. Memorize that the main point is to make sure everybody will have a good time, and various games will surely liven up the event.

5. Create the guest list and send out invitations.

Arrange a list of the expectant parents’ closest friends and family members. Ensure to seek their consent before sending out invitations, to shun any embarrassing mistakes later. Memorize that it’s the parents’ event, and not the host’s, so their selection of people should matter the most.

Convenient baby shower invitations are eagerly available in gift shops and craft stores. Conversely, homemade invitations may also be used to provide the host’s personal touch.

Send out invitations out two to four weeks before the party to give time for the guests to fix their list. Baby shower invitations chase the same format as any other invitation, it indicates the date, time, place, attire preferred, gift registry, if any, the host’s contact numbers for RSVP. Just to be prepared, arrange a final list of attendees a few days before the baby shower.

thanks to www.showerer.com for these very helpful tips.

Throwing Your First Baby Shower

Most people in their life time have attended a baby shower. Many of us, including myself, have been fortunate to have one thrown for us. However, there is a big difference between going to one or being the women of the hour and throwing one. This is an article to cover the basics for anyone who is about to throw one and has no idea where to start.

The first question that comes to mind is who should throw the shower. Now traditionalists say that only friends of the mother to be should throw the party and that it is inappropriate for a family member to do so. If you are looking to be proper a family member should not throw the shower because some people may feel that action sends the message that the family is trying to illicit gifts. However, this is usually not the case and in today’s world it is just as common for a parent or sibling to throw the party as it is for a close friend.

Now that we established that just about anyone close to the mother to be can throw the shower the next question is who should be invited. Unless this is a surprise shower, at some point the guest of honor should be consulted. When this is done the guest list should be something that is discussed. If the guest wants a more traditional shower which allows her to spend quality time with all the guests the list should be trimmed to fewer than 25 people. However, sometimes this is not feasible. What needs to be decided is who is invited. The type of people needs to be divided into groups. For instance family and close friends should make the list as well as the father’s family and friends. However it needs to be decided if neighbors or co-workers will be included. This depends on the relationship as well as how large or small the shower will be. The mother to be should also be consulted on the final list as they may notice someone you forgot to include or a conflict on inviting two people to the same event that do not get along and may make her day less than relaxing.

In the ever changing world of baby showers one thing that might need to be considered is throwing a modern co-ed shower. This would allow both the men and the women to celebrate together in one place. If this is the way you want to go you may want to reconsider the decorations, the food or the activities to best suit everyone’s tastes.

If the couple wants something modern but the woman still wants her own shower you may want to consider having a shower for the women and a party for the men, this would allow both partners to celebrate the upcoming birth in their own way.

Now that we know what type of party is being thrown, who is throwing it and who is being invited it is time to decide when it will be. An ideal time for a baby shower is near the end of the sixth month through the beginning of the eighth month. This will ensure that the mother to be will have a small chance of going into labor before the party. This will also help the expecting parents know what they do and do not have in time to finish shopping and to put all the baby’s new things in place before the arrival.

Now it is time to choose the invitations. The invitations can be of any design, but if the parents have chosen a theme for the nursery the invitations should follow that theme. The invitations should be sent out with the guest of honor’s name, the hostesses name and number, the location, date, and time of the party, a date to RSVP by, a map to the shower as well as a list of any of the stores the parents may be registered at.

Now that all preparations have been completed it is time to look forward to the shower. A baby shower can run anywhere from 2-4 hours, but should not be any longer. The beginning is usually when the hostess and the guest of honor will thank each guest for coming. During the period of everyone’s arrival is usually time for people to mingle. After everyone is there some sort of food is usually served, either a sit down meal like a brunch or a variety of finger foods and desserts. After the food you may choose to play a couple of games, but of course this is not mandatory. Finally, the guest of honor gets to open her presents. As the hostess besides providing the party and the food, you may also want to buy door prizes, prizes for the baby shower games and party favors.

There you have it, the basics of throwing a successful shower.

Thanks to Pamela Kazmierczak for this very informative info.

Baby Shower Games

Baby Shower Games

Say the words, "Baby Shower", and you will often be greeted with rolling eyes and heavy sighing. Some people really hate the idea of sitting around and playing the games that are associated with these events. However, there are new twists that can be added to old games to liven up your party and get your guests involved.

* Guess the baby food: Buy a couple jars of baby food, remove the labels and put numbers next to the jars. Hand out spoons so people can try it and then they guess what it is.

* Cotton ball game: We were blindfolded and given a large spoon and a bowl. We had to try and pick up as many cotton balls off the floor as we could in 30 seconds. (better if it's on a hard surface and not carpet)

* Guess how big mommy's belly is: You can use streamers or toilet paper and have them tear off the amount they think is closest to the mommy's size.

* Name that song: Guests write down as many song titles as they can think of with the word baby in it.

* Baby bottle drinking contest: Depending on our crowd, you can add whatever you want to the bottles for the contest. If you're having a coed party, we suggest letting the men play this game. It's fun to see how competitive they can become.

* Forbidden words: At the beginning of the party, everyone gets about 4 or 5 beaded necklaces. Pick about 4 words that cannot be said throughout the entire party i.e. baby, shower, bottle, mother (anything you want). No one can say those words throughout the party. If someone says "baby" and another person realizes this, they get to take a beaded necklace from the person who said "baby." And so on and so forth. This goes on the whole party until the end. Whoever has the most necklaces wins a prize.

* Baby Pictionary: Before the shower, place words relating to baby activities and items on index cards. At the shower, get teams together and give each team a pad of paper and pencil. Let one member of the team see a card, then tell them to draw that word or phrase for their partner to guess. Use a timer or just play until someone guesses. This is similar to the "All Play" option of the Pictionary game.

* How well do you know the couple (or mommy/daddy): List 10 questions about you and the guests have to write down their answers. Whoever gets the most correct wins. Make sure you have plenty of pens ready.

Great prizes include: candles, lotions, bottles of wine, gift certificates, spa/aromatherapy kits, baked goods and movie tickets.

thanks showers!