While
baby
showers
can
give
a
mom
or
mom-to-be
some
much-needed
provisions
for
her
growing
family,
these
gatherings
are
about
much
more
than
gifts!
They
provide
a
chance
for
her
to
relax
and
enjoy
the
camaraderie
of
close
friends
and
family
who
can
offer
encouragement,
advice,
and
loving
support–marked
by
laughter
and
good
fun.
When
hosting
a
baby
shower
If
you’re
planning
to
host
a
baby
shower
for
a
friend,
make
it
an
inviting,
stress-free
event
for
all
by
keeping
these
tips
in
mind:
•
The
shower
may
be
held
either
before
or
after
the
baby
is
born.
If
it’s
held
before
the
birth,
make
sure
you’ve
got
a
comfortable
chair
for
the
guest
of
honor.
Also,
don’t
let
the
party
go
on
too
long–keep
the
mom-to-be’s
comfort
and
energy
level
in
mind
throughout
the
event.
•
Choose
the
style
of
the
party,
from
simple
to
elaborate,
whatever
best
suits
mom-to-be.
•
Though
our
mothers
and
grandmothers
may
have
thought
it
unheard
of
to
invite
men
to
a
baby
shower,
today’s
parties
can
be
coed.
But
let’s
face
it–generally,
the
men
won’t
be
as
enamored
by
the
Peter
Rabbit
cups,
tiny
rattles,
and
darling
pint-sized
outfits
as
the
women.
Take
your
cue
from
the
mom-to-be’s
wishes.
•
Clear
any
ideas
for
games
or
ice-breakers
with
the
guest
of
honor
or
at
least
with
her
mom
or
sister.
Women’s
comfort
levels
with
playing
party
games
can
vary.
•
With
today’s
less-formal
(and
more
hectic)
lifestyles,
etiquette
allows
the
host
to
replace
written
invitations
with
phone
calls.
With
either
option,
be
sure
to
invite
guests
10
days
to
two
weeks
in
advance,
so
they
have
plenty
of
time
to
buy
a
gift,
hire
a
sitter,
and
otherwise
plan
ahead.
•
Keep
gift
ideas
inexpensive,
or
suggest
that
several
guests
purchase
a
more
expensive
gift
together,
if
they
so
wish.
If
the
guest
of
honor
has
enrolled
in
a
baby
registry,
pass
along
the
name
of
the
store
to
the
other
guests.
When
you’re
the
guest
of
honor
Being
the
guest
of
honor
at
a
baby
shower
offers
you
some
much-needed
pampering
toward
the
end
of
your
pregnancy
(or
during
those
busy
first
few
months
of
your
new
baby’s
life),
so
allow
yourself
to
be
indulged
a
little!
Nevertheless,
the
hostess
will
appreciate
a
little
input
from
you,
and
guests
will
appreciate
an
acknowledgment
of
their
gifts.
Keep
in
mind:
•
If
you
have
specific
items
you
would
like
to
receive,
give
a
wish-list
to
the
shower’s
host
(or
enroll
with
a
baby
registry
at
a
local
store).
Make
sure,
however,
that
the
cost
of
the
items
cover
a
range
of
prices.
Also,
if
you
know
where
the
items
are
available,
pass
that
information
along
as
well.
•
Each
guest
should
be
thanked
at
the
shower,
of
course,
as
well
as
with
a
short
note
as
soon
as
possible
after
the
event.
Personalize
your
note–rather
than
just
saying
"thanks
for
the
sweater,"
let
the
gift-giver
know
how
you
look
forward
to
using
it
to
keep
baby
warm.
•
You
should
also
thank
the
host
of
the
party
with
a
note
and
perhaps
a
small
gift.
|
