Baby Showers Types and Themes

Deciding what theme to have for a baby shower can be crucial to the entire way the party is planned. See below for a list of different types of baby shower themes.

Baby Shower Types

Just the gals
When planning a baby shower, first consider your options. Do you want a "Girls Only" shower? Girls can "ooh and ahh" over each delicate gift and exchange stories of child bearing and rearing. This gives the new Mom a good idea of what to expect. This type of shower can be held whenever it is convenient for the hostess and guests. It can be a brunch, a luncheon, an afternoon tea, a buffet or a sit down dinner.

Including the men
Do you want to include the father and other husbands or significant others? This is a very nice way to include Dad in the pregnancy and coming birth. The other father's can share their experiences with the new Dad. If you decide on this type of shower, consider having it on a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon. Have a buffet or cookout so the guests can circulate and swap stories.

With the new baby!
You may also choose to hold the shower after the birth of the child. This way the guests can bring the appropriate gift. No guessing! It will also give the new parents a chance to show off their new baby. It might be fun to invite entire families to share this type of shower at a potluck supper. Just remember that both new parents will be tired and you should plan the shower early in the day and keep it short.

Family only
Combine a Family Only shower with a family reunion. If you are hosting a shower for a family member, consider this type of shower. The upcoming birth provides the perfect opportunity for you to get all your family together, no matter where they live. This gives everyone a chance to be part of the celebration and to share events in their lives.

Open showers
Open showers, such as those held after a religious service, are another way to honor the soon to be parents. These are normally announced in a bulletin with an open invitation to all. Simple finger foods are brought by several people and coffee and tea are provided by the place of worship.

Office parties
If you have a close co-worker, you may decide to give her a small shower at work. You can schedule this before her maternity leave or as a welcome back shower. Take a collection for food and gift. Order from the local pizza or deli. Reserve a space at your work place or have the party in a nearby park or at a restaurant.

Baby Shower Themes

Everything Shower
Perfect if the expectant mother has not begun shopping for baby items. She still needs everything so guests have a great deal of flexibility. If she has a special higher ticket item like a crib, car seat, or stroller, you may pool your money together too.

Time of Day Shower
This theme assures that the mother-to-be will get a wide variety of items. Each guest should bring a present that corresponds with a time of the baby's day.

As you assign the guests a time of day, be sure to mention the activity that the baby will be doing then. For example, if you say "Afternoon", you should also include "Naptime".

Nursery Shower
Guests may choose to pool together their money for one large item or a couple medium priced items. Smaller items are given individually.

Gift Basket Shower
Assign a gift basket theme to each guest or let them pick from a list enclosed with the invitation. Each guest then buys smaller items and arranges them in gift basket or cute container.

Coming Out Shower
These parties are lots of fun because everyone gets a chance to OOH and AHH over the new bundle of joy. Parties a few weeks after the birth also make clothing gifts easier to pick out. Great gifts also include a memory book and photo album. As a hostess, you may even decide to begin the scrapbook with first pictures and the local newspaper birth announcement. It might also be fun to include some timely events such as weather, sports, and headlines (the happy ones!).

Second Baby Shower
The parents probably already have most of the higher priced items by this time like a crib, stroller, and changing table. However, if there are new items out on the market since the first baby, they will surely be welcome. Gifts that are disposable and need to be replaced from the first child are always useful. New clothes are another good option, especially if the second baby is a different sex from the first one.

Adopted Shower
Share in the fortunate joy of an adopted child. Check with the mother to see what she needs. If she already has the basic nursery items, consider clothes, learning toys, and stuffed animals. The father may also want to be included in this shower too!

Mommy Shower
This is a great idea for a second or third child when the mother already has all the baby items she needs.

Information courtesy of www.baby-shower.com