Baby showers are ever- popular and it is a joy for a new mom to have the pleasure and attention a baby shower brings. However, it is a daunting task for those who are planning the baby shower; (invariably, the ones closest to the mommy) to organise the event. Most organisers have a hard time racking their brains as to what fun events they can prepare for the shower; what games can be played, what tricks can be performed, what embarrassing moments can be plotted. Here are a few suggestions for those who would like to plan a baby shower for somebody you care for.
The Master Plan
Make lists of all foodstuff, prizes to buy or make (and thereby materials needed), decorations to be used, background music to be played, Secret Service items from the mommy you intend to confiscate (photos, reports, letters, personal effects).
The Food
Finger foods, buffet style are the easiest to prepare and present. Here are a few examples:
Party pies and mini-pizza's
carrot sticks, celery sticks, tiny florets of brocolli and cauliflower
variety of dips
corn chips
cubed cheeses and deli sausages
cold meats, rolled with toothpicks
olives
stuffed mushrooms
crumbed chicken nuggets
apple pie
cheesecakes
ice cream
punch
The Welcome
On arriving at the party venue, try and welcome each guest as they arrive. Theres nothing so good as to put the guests in the party mood as a warm and cosy welcome! A table, placed near the entrance door relieves the guest of her gift for the new baby/expected baby. The table can be decorated; potpourri or confetti scattered over the table always looks party-ish.
The Decorations
A washing line, spread from one end of the wall to the other, with baby clothes, nappies and receiving blankets, hung with old-fashioned dolly pegs.
Booties hanging over doorways - like mistletoe!
Teddies and dollies sitting on chairs, tables, cupboards
Photo gallery of a baby or toddler mom and dad, (perhaps even mom and dad's siblings and parents) as well as the new baby - or, if the baby has not yet been born - the ultrasound photograph. When these photos are grouped together, it is amazing how the family resemblance shines through!
Tables and cupboard tops decorated with baby shawls
Cot bumpers spread over doorways and archways
The Games
1. The Sticky Lable Game - When all guests have arrived, stick a lable on each of their backs, with a baby apparatus item written on it - such as: high chair, nappy, nappy pin, baby toy, baby bath, stroller, pram, baby bouncer, cot, cradle, play pen, baby swing, baby walker, carry cot, travel cot, change table etc. Each guest has to ask another for clues as to what is on their back. Their partner can only say 'yes' or 'no'. Whoever guesses correctly wins the game.
2. The Photo Album Game - Have each guest bring a photo of themselves as either a baby or toddler. Pin the photos on a board; the 'gallery'. Number each of the photos. Each guest has to guess who is who and write down on a piece of paper who they think is which baby. The guest with the most correct answers wins the game.
3. The Baby Food Game - Several jars of baby food are displayed for guests to guess what the baby food is by tasting it. If, for instance the baby food is titled 'Strawberry-banana Dessert', many guests may taste the banana, but not the strawberry. Therefore, if the majority claim 'banana', and one guesses 'banana-strawberry' - that guest wins the specific food question. Each food jar is labelled with a number. The guests have to write down which food they think corresponds with which number. The guest with the most correct answers wins the game.
4. The Cotton Wool Ball Game - Each guest is invited to smear baby Vaseline on either their forehead, nose or chin. Then, a bowl of cotton wool balls is passed around. Each guest dips their face into the bowl, to see how many cotton wool balls stick to their face. The guest with the most cotton wool balls on their face wins the game. (Tip: the more Vaseline smeared on the face, the more cotton wool balls will stick!)
5. The Smartie Guessing Game - Smarties or M & M's are placed in a jar. The guest who guesses closest to the correct amount of candies wins the game.
6. How Well Do You Know the Mum Game - A list of questions about the new mom or mom to be are compiled by the hostess (presuming the hostess is a family member and knows the answers!) These guests are then asked these questions. They have to write down 'true' or 'false' to each question. Whoever writes down the most correct answers wins the game.
7. Put Dolly's Nappy On Game - Two dolls representing babies, along with baby nappies and nappy pins are used in this game. The guests choose a partner. Each set of partners have to put the nappy on the doll and pin it, as fast as they can. But..... only one hand of each of the guests can be used. Their other hand has to be held behind their back. The first couple to put the nappy on the doll, without the nappy pin coming off, wins the game.
Mommy Time!
This is the time when a sneaky friend or relative can 'Show and Tell' about 'Mommy'. Photographs, notes, pictures, hand-made items, report card comments etc. can all be shown to the guests. Also, stories about the Mommy can be told by one or more of those present; either what Mommy did as a baby (as in the case of the Mommy's mom) or what she did as a young girl, growing up (as in the case of a childhood friend or sister).
Gift Shower Time
Towards the end of the party, the Mommy can be asked to sit in the centre of the room, and open all the gifts for baby, so that the guests can 'ooooooh' and 'aaaaaahhhhh' over them.
The Prizes
With each of the games played, prizes can be handed out to the winning guest. This is optional. The prizes don't have to be expensive; nick-nacks bought at the $1 stores can be wrapped beautifully. The guests won't be fussed about the gift; many of them will probably be so engrossed in the games!
ENJOY!!!