Category: Baby Showers

Is it a boy or a girl? Do you know? When will you find out?

How many times does a pregnant woman hear those questions? To have some fun with your response, try one of these clever ways to announce the news at a gender reveal party.

Games. Add some competitive spice to the gender reveal!
• Silly String Fight – Buy pink or blue Silly String and cover the labels. Give each guest a bottle. When the fight starts, the secret’s out!
• Arm Wrestling – Each parent represents a color – pink or blue – and competes in a pre-planned match. Winner reveals the gender.
• Team Pink vs. Team Blue – Ask your guests to wear the color of their choice. During the party, reveal which team won by picking the right color!

Sweets. You can use a cake for the reveal – it’s a popular option – or try one of these sweet ideas:
• Fortune cookies with the gender listed inside
• Pancake toppings – blueberries or strawberries
• Colored soda

Baby Shower Surprise. This is a fun twist on the gender reveal party … where the guests know the gender before you do! Give the unopened envelope from your ultrasound appointment to the shower planner, who will ask guests to buy gender-specific gifts (and keep the secret until the shower). When the first gift is opened, you will know if you’re having a boy or girl!

Girl or boy? Friends and relatives are sure to enjoy these fun ways to hear the news. And, if you choose not to find out the secret, you’ll all be surprised together when the magical day arrives.

For more tips and advice, sign up for our newsletter — or browse our selection of maternity greeting cards.

Are you hosting a baby shower? It can be a big event for one of life’s biggest milestones. Here’s how to “shower” the mom-to-be with love … all while staying organized.

Set a budget.
Before you buy streamers or invitations, decide how much you’re willing to spend for the entire event. If you’re the only hostess, you can determine your budget fairly easily. If you’re working with others, decide together how much each person will contribute.

Nail down the details.
Once you have a budget, you can decide on the venue, date, and theme. Location often depends on the budget and time of year. A backyard might be a casual and convenient choice for spring or summer. Then again, hotels and restaurants offer all-weather plans and hold more guests. As for dates, most showers are held around the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy, but coordinate this with the expecting mama (surprises are fun but often tricky for baby showers). Many showers these days have creative themes, but it’s not a requirement for fun!

Invite.
Ask the mom-to-be for a guest list. You don’t want to accidentally exclude anyone near and dear to her. Send out invitations about six weeks in advance to allow guests time to mark their calendars and buy a gift.

Choose a menu.
Yum! This is the tastiest part of party planning. Menu selection depends on the theme, venue, and budget. If you’re throwing the party at a restaurant or hall, you may have limited food choices. If the party is in a private home, you may choose catering or DIY and play up your party theme. The menu will also depend on time of day. An afternoon shower typically features tasty appetizers, sweets, and lighter fare. Brunch is a popular option, too.

Create an agenda.
Your guest of honor will love seeing everyone – and opening presents – but you need a timeline. This will ensure the party flows smoothly. Determine the timing for games or other organized activities. Also, designate some folks to help write down gifts, tame the wrapping paper pile, and pack up the car.

Find a fantastic gift.
Even though you’re throwing the shower, don’t forget to buy a present. Oh, and remember to get a card – it’s the most important part!

For more tips and advice, sign up for our newsletter — or browse our selection of maternity greeting cards.