One of the best ways for friends to share in the excitement of a pregnancy is a baby shower.  There are as many different ways to host showers, as there are expectant mothers, so use this freedom to be creative.  Decide how formal you wish the occasion to be, whether or not you would like to have games, and if children will be included in the festivities.  Remember that you are planning the party for the mother-to-be, so incorporate her tastes, the gender of the baby and any nursery themes she has chosen into the party.

Rules governing baby shower invitations are similar to those for other occasions.  If this will not be a surprise party, speak to the guest of honor about a guest list.  Make sure to include her immediate family and in-laws, as well as any colleagues or friends to whom she feels close.  Now is the time to discuss whether this party will be adult women only, or if children should be included in the invitations.  Though it is not traditional, more and more women are including husbands, both their own and their friends’, in the festivities.  Guest lists should be made and invitations mailed at least six weeks before the event.  This will give people time to clear their calendars and find sitters if children will not be included.  If you are hosting a formal event, engraved invitations are an elegant choice.  For a more informal gathering, consult your local party supply store for fun options that will fit the theme.  The registry should be established by the time the invitations are set, but registry information should never be included on the invitation itself.

There are so many sources for great baby shower ideas, so take some time in the planning stages to consult others who have attended or planned a shower.  Depending on the size, consider whether you would like to reserve a restaurant or event space or if you would like to host the party in your home.  Though holding the event at an outside venue will add expense, catering services may be provided as part of the cost, which can alleviate some of the stress of hosting.  When you have chosen your space, think of ways to decorate in accordance with the theme of the shower.  Streamers in pink or blue are often used.  If a meal will be served, creative baby themed centerpieces can be made or ordered.  Rattles or pacifiers can be incorporated into floral arrangements.  Tea candles will add a note of elegance to an afternoon event.

When planning the menu, make a list of the guest of honor’s favorite foods.  Baby showers are typically held in the afternoon, so creating a menu with foods that are part of a tea service is a popular option.  Finger sandwiches and bite-sized pastries are beautiful, delicious and can be eaten while socializing away from a table.  If you would like to serve a full meal, a buffet can be a cost effective alternative to a plated dinner and the unstructured feel will take away some of the stress that comes with a tight timetable.  Cakes are traditionally served.  Supply your local bakery with pictures of the baby shower decorations and have them create a custom, matching cake that can be displayed throughout the shower on the gift table.

 Baby shower games are a great icebreaker at parties where not all the guests know one another.  There are so many shower games to choose from, but keep in mind while choosing games that the more straightforward they are the better.  One simple and fun option is to encourage your guests to bring baby pictures of themselves to place on a board near the entrance to the party.  Assign each picture a number and have them match the guest to a baby picture.  If the shower is large, have each guest fill out a nametag before starting the game.

 The Clothespin Game can be played throughout the shower, and is a great way to involve people who may not be interested in playing a more structured game.  Give every guest five clothespins when they arrive.  Each time they use the word “baby” in a conversation, they lose one.  The person at the end of the shower with the most clothespins is the winner.

Thank guests for coming by distributing baby shower favors to everyone in attendance.  Candy and mints make great favors, and they can be custom decorated with the baby’s name and due date.  Decorate the individual packages with tiny novelty pacifiers or storks in colors that match the decorations.  Make sure to collect the contact information of everyone who attended the baby shower to send thank you notes and birth announcements when the baby arrives.

A video of an interview with experts about baby showers.