Baby shower planner

Baby Shower Planner

Baby shower planner and guide continued. Again, this is planning101, don’t be afraid to condense when necessary…

Go back one page to get weeks 8-5

Be sure to follow the link at the bottom of this page so you can download and print free planning sheets.

Baby Shower Planner:FOUR Weeks to go…

FOUR WEEKS IN ADVANCE:
MAIL your invitations! If you are not catering your event, or only catering part of the event, start planning the menu.

Appetizers, salads, finger foods, and desserts are the way to go if you are serving more than 10 guests.

A buffet style is a good idea if, you want to serve a meal. Not sure what to do? Consider the time of day: A party with a start time between 11:30 and 12:30– you’re on the hook for a lunch. This does not mean you need to serve 25 guests a full course sit down lunch.

However, you need to have more than snacks and cake. Sandwiches, fruit, and salads, along with dessert and refreshments are usually just fine.

The same rule applies to the breakfast hour: between 8:00 and 10:00 (start time). Breakfast is usually served as a brunch.

Dinner hour between: 5:00 and 6:00 (start time). Brunch or dinner can be served buffet style. With both meals, try to offer, one or two hot food choices. This will require hot plates or warmers to keep food warm/hot.

If your baby shower starts anytime between 1:00 and 4:30 in the afternoon, finger foods should be fine.

Keep in mind, you’re guest of honor is pregnant. Even though you’re not serving a full course, don’t skimp on the food.

Baby Shower Planner:THREE WEEKS IN ADVANCE:

Order the cake or cupcakes from the bakery.
Assign or hire a photographer for the party.
Choose games and activities if you plan to have any (1 to 2 games or activities).
Purchase or finish any decorations, party favors, or party gifts you will need.
Purchase plates, napkins, cups, etc.
If you are using your own serving pieces, locate items and prepare them.
Iron linens and polish silver.

Are you planning games for your party, or need other baby shower supplies?

Winnie the Pooh: book of baby shower games

If you still need serving platters, serving utensils,
thermoses,punch bowls, chafing dishes etc.; purchase required items or
make some phone calls to either borrow or rent the items.
Select any music you may wish to have at the shower. This
could be back ground music or music that will be used for activities or
games.
Arrange childcare or a sitter if, there will be young children at the shower.

Baby Shower Planner:TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE:

Make a list for the grocery store and keep adding to it as the party approaches.
Continue to do any DE cluttering or polishing around the house.
Check on all other orders placed in the last 2 weeks
Deliver or mail any necessary deposits to outside vendors
Double check and compare notes with your other hosts, or co-hosts
Contact people who have not sent their RSVP response
Call the catering company, hotel, restaurant, or any other vendor that may need a final head count.
Shop for, purchase, or make your baby shower gift for mom-to-be.
Double check any food aversions or preferences mom-to-be may have before you finalize your grocery list.

The following is a list of foods pregnant women are recommended to AVOID. This is not medical advise. Any questions or concerns should be directed to a medical expert.

This doesn’t mean you can’t serve a certain food from the list. Just
make sure mom-to-be has her favorite menu items to choose from.

It’s also a good idea to label food items (you never know who has food allergies).

Mom-to-be and foods to avoid

Fish: including, but not limited to, shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tile fish, bluefish, tuna steak, striped bass, freshwater fish and canned tuna.
No sushi or caviar.
Unpasteurized cheeses, soft or fresh cheeses such as Brie,
Deli meats (deli meat can be served hot), hot dogs, undercooked
eggs
rare to medium-well meats
unpasteurized juices.
Artificial sweeteners and of course, any amount of alcohol

*Source: What to Expect When You’re Expecting, 2010

Baby Shower Planner : ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE

Do your grocery shopping and buy what you can. Fresh salads,fruits and veggies should be purchased one day before the baby shower.
Order fresh flowers if, needed
Finish party favors or anything else you are making for the party
Cook, bake or prepare any foods that can be put in the freezer
Finalize games and activities.
Wrap gift for mom-to-be and any game prizes
Make arrangements for your guest-of-honor to get her gifts home.

Organize the flow of the party (a general schedule is fine)!

Example:

Socialize and refreshments: assign 10 minutes
Play games/activities assign: 35 minutes
Eat and serve cake: 30-40 minutes
Gift Opening: 35 plus minutes
Exit guests (thank guests for coming) 10-15 minutes

Baby Shower Planner: ONE day to go…

Clean the house and put out fresh towels, check to see there is enough tissue in the bathroom(s)
Decorate gift table, guest table or any other areas designated for the baby shower.
Decorate or reserve a seat where mom-to-be will open gifts. You can use a sash or corsage to do this.
Place a pen and tablet in the seat next to mom. This is for the guest who will be recording gifts.

TIP: Place a manila envelope out as well. This is very handy for preventing the loss of gift receipts and gift cards.

A trash bag (for gift wrap and scraps), extra pens, and scissors can be placed out of the way.

Double check your list and touch base with your co-host.
Finish any cooking or prep food that can be refrigerated over-night.
Make sure you have all the serving pieces and equipment needed.

Baby Shower Planner: Party Day!

(It’s here! Time for all the hard work too pay off…)

Finish any cooking that needs to be done
Pick up cake, flowers, balloons, or pre-ordered party trays

TIP: As you greet guests, ask them to write their name and address on the envelopes that are included with your thank you cards (envelopes can be set out next to the sign-in book, advice cards, name tags, etc). Voila! Pre-addressed envelopes! This will save mom-to-be, lots of time!

Set up food table or buffet table
Organize place settings and place cards if you are serving a full course
Make sure your camera has batteries
Put Fido or Felix in another room or kennel (if you have pets)
Ask a friend/guest to be the gift-recorder for gift opening.

TIP: Record gifts right on the back of the greeting card that came with the gift (with approval from the guest of honor of course).

NOW THAT THE PARTY HAS STARTED:

Be a polite, attentive host and have fun!
As the party is winding down, be sure you and the guest of honor thank everyone for coming.
After the party is over, help mom-to-be pack her car (she’ll probably have lots of new gifts).
Make sure she has the addresses of all the guests so she can send thank-you notes (should be mailed 5-10 days post party).

*She’ll probably also want to send birth announcements to her guests after the baby is born.

Baby Shower Planner: What’s next…?

Clean up the important stuff and put away perishable food. Hopefully, you have lots of clean-up help from the other host(s).
After that, you can keep cleaning… or open a bottle of wine, soak in warm bubble bath… and finish cleaning tomorrow! I know what I would do!!