Baby Shower Favor Ideas, Creative Baby Shower Gifts

A baby shower is a type of party that celebrates the expectancy of a new baby, and the journey of the mom-to-be into motherhood. At a baby shower, the parents receive gifts from their close friends and relatives. The party usually includes playing games, enjoying good food, taking lots of pictures together, and opening tons of gifts.


When someone is having a baby shower, somebody close to the new mom (best friend, sister, cousin, aunt, etc.) usually hosts the party. And some parties have more than one host. In order to prevent being overwhelmed with all the planning, a lot of people use a checklist. The checklist basically outlines everything you need to do, and when you need to do it.

Below is an example of a baby shower checklist. It includes every step of planning a successful celebration, and tells you how far in advance each task should be done.

If possible, you should start planning the shower about 8 weeks before the event.

8 weeks before the shower:
Choose a theme. Some people use cartoon characters, central ideas (royal theme, safari theme, etc.), or they just use colors. Choose a theme that the new mom will be comfortable with. For instance, if she’s into sports, choose a theme related to that. Or, if she’s really trendy, use the “mod mom” theme. If you’re using a color scheme, you can use the basic pink & white for girls or blue & white for boys, or just use two or three of the mom’s favorite colors (pink/blue and brown for example).

6 to 7 weeks before:
Create a baby registry so that your guests will know what you need/want for the new baby. Start by making a list of everything you need. Then choose your favorite store that carries baby items (Target, Babies r Us, etc.) Either visit their website or go to the store in person, and you will get instructions on creating a registry. Guests don’t have to purchase your gift from the registry, but most people will, since they know you selected these gifts yourself.

At this point, you’ll also want to decide the date, time and place for the party. Of course, make sure the mom-to-be is available for the date of the party. Make sure she has not already made plans that she cannot change, or that she does not have to work on that day. As for the time, most showers take place on the weekends during the afternoon hours. Saturdays are usually a good day for everyone. Next, decide on a place. Will you be having the party at someone’s home, a restaurant, park, etc.? Make sure if you decide on a public place that you get all the rental information you need. You probably do not have to pay to have a party at a park or on the beach, but restaurants may have rental fees for private rooms.

5 to 6 weeks before:

Select and mail your invitations. You can purchase invitations at a store or online, or you can make your own if you are crafty. Some people even use evites, which is an electronic invitation sent via e-mail. This option is a lot cheaper. Nowadays, some people use social networking too, such as sending invites via Facebook. If you decide to go this route, it may be a good idea to follow this up with an email or traditional invitation. Some of your guests may not utilize their social networks on a daily basis.
Be sure to keep a list of everyone that you invite in order to check names off as they RSVP. Give your guests enough time to receive the invitations and to respond to it. The guests should receive theme about 1 month before the shower, so send them out about 6 weeks before. Delivery time will probably be less than 2 weeks, but remember to play it safe. Be sure to include a registry card and directions to the location.

4 to 5 weeks before:
Start getting the decorations. By this time you should already know your theme. So the decorations should not be that hard. You will need tableware, streamers, balloons, a banner, and whatever else suits your fancy. Party stores are a great place to shop for decorations because everything is either color or theme coordinated. You can also find plenty of websites that offer personalized baby shower decorations.

4 weeks before:
Start keeping track of your RSVPs. As your guests confirm whether they are coming or not, check them off on your invitation list. You will need this list to plan your menu, games and favors. You should have a good idea of how many people are coming about 2 weeks before the celebration. For your guests who do not plan to come, can still send them a birth announcement when the baby arrives. Or, if they mail a gift to you, send them a thank you card.

3 weeks before:
a. Plan some games. This step may not take long at all, but it’s best to do it now so that you won’t forget about it. Select about 5 definite and 3 tentative games. Here are some suggestions:

*Guess the candy

*How big is mommy’s tummy?

*Baby animals

*Guess the celebrity baby

*Onesie decoration game

*The classic Baby Bingo

b. Start planning your menu. Again, you’ll want all of your guests to like the food, but try to center the menu around things that the new mom likes. Plan your menu according to the time of day you’re having the shower (for example, dinner foods for an evening party). And remember, it’s best to have too much food instead of not enough. Do not start buying the food too early, but definitely start preparing a menu and shopping list now. Remember to put disposable baking pans, serving utensils, condiments, etc on your list.
If you plan to have a baby shower cake, start planning that now too. Visit a few bakeries and the supermarket to compare. Make sure you select a cake that’s big enough to feed everyone. Consider some alternatives to cake such as cookie trays, cupcakes, and petit fours.
c. Start shopping around for party favors. The best and most affordable place to find tons of party favors is your local dollar store. But also check department stores and party websites. Party websites are best if you want personalized favors. Compare prices to find the best deals. You don’t necessarily have to purchase the favors at this point, but definitely start coming up with some ideas.

2 weeks before:
Double-check the following:

a. your guest list – by this time, your guest list should be complete. If you have not heard from someone whom you expected to RSVP, give them a follow-up call or email reminder.
b. Your decorations – You should wait until the day before or the day of for some things like, the balloons and edible cake. But your tableware, streamers, banners, centerpieces, etc. should be good to go.
c. Games – You need to finalize your game selections at this point. If some of your games will require the guests to write, make sure you buy paper and pencils, and whatever else you think you may need.
d. Party favors and game prizes – Make sure you have at least one party favor for everyone on your list. And it’s best to have a few extra on hand just in case. As for your game prizes, have at least one prize for each game. And again, have extra in case you have multiple winners.

1 week before:
a. Food shopping list – You can now start buying some of the non-perishables on your list, but it’s not a must at this time. You shouldn’t start cooking this early, but it’s not too early to start the shopping. And be sure to check things off your list as you buy them. Whether or not you start shopping at this point, the menu and shopping list should be completed by now.
If you ordered a cake, follow up on your order with the bakery. Make sure they have the order correct, and that it will be ready for you to pick up on the day of or the day before the party. If you have decided to bake a cake yourself, do that the day before the shower.
b. Get a camera. If you have a digital camera or camcorder, make sure you have batteries for lots and lots of pictures. If you are using a disposable camera, buy two or three to have at hand during the party.

The day before:
a. Start cooking your food. Some dishes can be cooked the day before and re-heated just before serving time. Others can be prepared and refrigerated the day before and cooked on the day of. If you have foods that fit into these categories, get them out of the way today. Save your easy stuff like salads and punch for the day of the event. If you’ve ordered an edible cake or party platters, you can pick those up today or wait until tomorrow. Make sure you have serving dishes, utensils, large trash bags, and take-home platters.
b. Start decorating the room. While your food is cooking, start hanging the streamers and decorating the tables. You definitely want to have the head table and buffet table done today, but the guest tables could wait until the morning. Wait until the day of the shower to blow up the balloons. Important note: If you have little children that will be running though the house, you may want to do all of your decorating on the day of the shower. You know how kids can be!

The day of the baby shower:
a. Prepare the rest of your food, and everything should be done about 2 hours before your guests start to arrive (just in case some people show up a little early). If your decorations are complete, then prepare your buffet table. The table should already be decorated, so now you can start placing the food.
b. Make sure your decorations, party favors, games and prizes are all good to go. You don’t want to have to look for anything once the party starts. So make sure you know exactly where everything is.
c. Do one final check about 2 hours before the shower starts. Go over your checklist one last time to make sure everything is ready.
d. Last, but not certainly no least, when the guests start to arrive, enjoy yourself and have fun!

After the baby shower:
About a week or so after the shower, send everyone a thank you card with a personal note from the mom-to-be. If you want, you can wait until the baby is born and include a picture with your card (your guests would love that!)

This checklist may need to be altered, depending on your personal needs. For instance, you are having a party after the baby is born, then some of the information may not apply. Or, if you’re having a “baby sprinkle”, which is a party for children after the first born, your party might not be as elaborate, so some things can be left out. But overall, the above outline is the basic way to go about planning a baby shower. Remember, using a checklist makes the planning a lot easier, and will result in a flawless baby shower celebration.

For more baby shower planning ideas, visit baby shower decorations.

Read vital things to know about the topic of how to be a good parent – please go through this site. The time has come when concise information is really at your fingertips, use this chance.

Technorati Tags: baby shower

Baby Shower Items baby shower

Most of us are having to tighten our belts these days and, as much as we would like, can not throw caution to the wind and buy a trendy and high price tag infant car seat and to be honest I really don’t think that a seven month old baby could care two hoots as to whether the car seat, he or she is regularly sick on, matches the car interior or not! With this in mind aren’t we glad that there are cheaper alternatives that, although cheaper, still achieve the highest security and safety standards. Manufacturers, Baby Trend, have done just this with their Flex-Loc Child Car Seat. This seat comes with all the safety features that are important for your child but with a much lower price tag.

The Flex-Loc Child Car Seat From Baby Trend is rear facing and has a five point harness arrangement that assists in providing baby with maximum safety. This car seat has been tested in all car crash situations and the foam that protects the head area exceeds legal safety requirements so you, as parent or guardian, can feel assured that any child traveling in the Baby Trend car seat, travels in as much safety as possible. It can be used with or without the base and by using the vehicle seat belt. One feature of this car seat is the level indicator this ensures that the seat is fitted at the optimum angle both for safety and baby’s comfort. Because this car seat has a weight range of 5 lbs to 22 lbs it doesn’t have the same longevity as some of the more expensive seats that can carry up to 30lbs, however, “you pays your money and takes your choice” as they say.


There are a few little issues with this seat as compared to some of its more expensive counter parts, for example, the arm rests are a little awkward to make adjustments to and the belts are somewhat narrow and have a tendency to tangle a little more easily than some other higher price tag car seats. This seat is also a tad heavier than some, however, the Flex-Loc Child Car Seat From Baby Trend represents such great value for money I think the downsides are a little picky. As safety is not compromised in any shape or form this car seat represents great value for parents.

This child’s car seat is manufactured from soft, high quality and easy clean materials and is designed not only to give your child supreme safety but a comfortable journey also, in fact, we have had reports from many parents claiming that their off-spring drops of to sleep very quickly while in this seat thus making any journey pleasant and stress free for both parent and child. This Baby Trend car seat is very simple to install into your car and just as simple to remove whether changing vehicles or taking the seat into your house.

The Flex-Loc Child Car Seat From Baby Trend will suit most budgets and will be available in a vast amount of online stores for less than $100. Target.com, for example, retails this seat for $90, another store, ToyRus, is selling them for $99.99. This low price tag is welcomed by many parents or guardians that are juggling their finances and, quite frankly, can not afford to lash out on more trendy and expensive car seats yet they appreciate the necessity of the high standards of safety features that form part of the Flex-Loc Child Car Seat From Baby Trend.

Find practical recommendations about N1Way Guide – please make sure to read this site. The time has come when proper info is really within one click, use this opportunity.

Technorati Tags: Infant Car Seat

Baby Shower Items Infant Car Seat

The new Graco SafeSeat is the best available for protecting your infant while in your car. The Safeseat infant car seat has been tested under car crash conditions and exceeds the USA’s safety standards and will offer protection to children as heavy as 30lbs and 32″ tall. The seat dimensions measure 26.5 inches x 18.3 inches x 16.5 inches.

This new offering from Graco is one of the few rear facing car seats that can accommodate an infant weighing 30lbs and 32″ in height which is the maximum permitted and just about every child up to 12 months old will be able to use it so in the long term the SafeSeat will save you money particularly as it is a legal requirement that a baby is to be in a rear facing car seat until they are 12 months of age and weighing less than 20lbs. So it can be seen that this Graco car seat is over and above the legal requirement so will accommodate your growing child for longer than other seats.

The Graco SafeSeat is in two sections, the specially designed, “easy stay in”, base and the car seat that locks into it. This arrangement makes it easy to transport your child to and from your car without having to remove him or her from the seat or having to remove the complete carrier from your vehicle. There is also a convenient carrying handle built into the design making it comfortable for the parent or guardian. The “one hand” adjustment feature of this Graco design is a great aid to ensuring the SafeSeat is set at the correct angle for your child’s safety and comfort.

This version of the Graco SafeSeat car seat is actually the first of three in the series of steps, this is followed by step 2 and finally the Graco Turbo Booster completes the range. Previous Graco car seats have only been able to carry the statuary minimum ie. a child weighing 22lbs and 29 inches in height, however, the SafeSeat will hold 30lbs and 32 inches in height thus accommodating the growing child.

The fact that the Graco Safeseat is able to accommodate 97% of children up to 12 months old, and able to carry the maximum legal weight limits, makes this seat unique amongst its competitors and it is pretty much the most universal child car seat on the market. Graco has the parent or guardian in mind also with its one button height adjustment, the SafeSeat is one of the few around that has this feature making its use simplicity its self for the family on the move.

Transportation using the Graco SafeSeat car seat is astonishingly uncomplicated, its built in ergonomic carrying handle makes it a joy to use when carrying infants up to 30 lbs. Another feature of the SafeSeat is a belt lock mechanism that is designed to maintain the seat belt in one position during the car seat’s set up procedure. Graco is committed to the progression of its seat designs and the simplicity of operation without safety compromise. The SafeSeat looks the part too and it is sure to match your car interior and give your child the luxury they deserve.

Find useful info in the sphere of how to be a good parent – please study this web site. The time has come when proper info is truly at your fingertips, use this chance.

Technorati Tags: Infant Graco Car Seats

Baby Shower Items Infant Graco Car Seats

If you want to give a wonderful baby gift to welcome an upcoming child, then a baby gift basket is usually the best suggestion. Baby gift baskets are generous gift choices for newborns, as they typically supply numerous baby essentials babies. When making or shopping for a baby gift basket, it’s vital to give correct care and attention so that it will mirror that it had been made from the heart. One of the most essential things that you need to contemplate when making a gift basket is to opt for the perfect baby gifts that will serve as the fillers of the gift basket.

Now you need to make a decision what fashionable and fabulous, yet practical, baby items to include in the basket, you will also want to mirror your own personal taste. If you wish to travel beyond traditional, then feel free to do so. Keep in mind, the more artistic and unique is the basket, the more it can be appreciated.

Selecting Baby Gifts

Before choosing something for the gift basket, you may first need to decide what theme to follow. Baby baskets also come in numerous themes, and the preferred is the gender-related theme; pink for girls and blue for boys. However, if you are not sure about the sex of the kid, following a gender-neutral theme is a safe manner to consider. Other than gender, in fact, you’ll also follow a cartoon-themed, fairytale-themed, sporty-themed, jungle-themed and other fun and adorable themes when making a baby gift basket.


Tucked within the basket will be anything connected to babies. You’ll be able to arrange baby toys, mobiles and rattles, baby skin care products, bathing products, feeding bottles and baby dishes, baby books, baby toys and nursery rhymes, infant sleepwear, photo albums and image frames and so on to make a distinctive baby gift basket. If you want to incorporate further touches, you’ll be able to add gourmet goodies like cheese, chocolates, cookies, coffee or tea that the mom-to-be will positively enjoy. Alternatively, contemplate spa supplies for her to be pampered.

Customized Baby Things

Personalized baby baskets are among the most fashionable baby gift baskets these days. Clearly, they are extraordinary, with name or initials of the baby, date of birth and even a private message from the giver. You may choose a customized baby gift basket that include customized baby items, like customized newborn clothing, engraved baby jewelry, engraved image frames, customized baby books, embroidered baby blankets, engraved memento boxes, personalised stuffed animals and the likes. As a lot of because the mom appreciate the name or initial of her baby included on every item, when the kid gets older, he/she would undoubtedly cherish such customized keepsakes from you. Personalized baby items are widely available online. Browse the Internet and try your favorite online store. and find the most effective gift items that you can personalize. Moreover, personalize the complete gift package by using a personalised wrapper as well as customized ribbons. Such embellishments are sometimes obtainable at your local craft stores.

Shortcut to helpful advice in the sphere of how to be a good parent – read this publication. The times have come when proper information is truly only one click away, use this possibility.

Technorati Tags: baby gifts

Baby Shower Items baby gifts