When it comes time to have your baby shower, save some money and print baby shower invitations from your own computer. There are sites online that offer free printable baby shower invitations. I have created a list of some sites for you to save you time from searching.

Creative Baby Shower Ideas – This site offers 8 different free baby shower invitations you can print.

Plan The Perfect Baby Shower – This site offers 28+ different free printable baby shower invitations. They have some really cute ones too!

Family Shopping Bag – Here is another site with a ton of free printable baby shower invitations. They also have some signs you can print.

Rusty Bumper – This site offers some very modern and stylish free printable baby shower invitations.

Enjoy
Stefani

Book Shower – Have each guest purchase and give a copy of their favorite childhood book. You may also suggest they bring parenting books they used and liked. These will be great for the baby, as well as the parents.

Diaper Shower – For a second (or more) baby, consider a diaper shower. Ask each guest to bring only a package of diapers as a gift. Some guests may bring other gifts also, but Mom will end up with a mountain of diapers … something she’ll really need! Items could also include anything associated with diapering such as wipes, ointment, powder, etc.

Casserole Shower – For the mother who has everything already, how about a Casserole Shower? Have each guest bring a casserole or other ready-to-cook meal that can be frozen or stored until after the baby is born. Be sure to have the containers clearly labeled with contents and any cooking instructions. How helpful that will be when Mom and Baby come home!

Of course, you can have a general themed shower, and have guests bring whatever they feel will benefit the new family. Here are some suggestions:

-A few guests can get together and get a big laundry basket. Place in it a long clothes line with outfits, diapers, bibs, etc. It can also be used as a room decoration. It has a bit of everything and something to carry it in!

-Baby Quilt – here’s a great gift from those that love to sew and quilt. Find an alphabet quilt pattern. Each square has a letter of the alphabet on it and a picture of an object that started with that letter. It can have numbers too. Each guest can be given/sent a square before the shower and can embroider, quilt, or embellish it according to her own taste. If the quilt is meant to be a wall hanging, guests can also attach little items like rattles and toys. Be sure that everyone signs their own block in some way and have the blocks returned by a certain date in order to have it put together. This can also be used as a decoration at the shower.

-Make a scrapbook album. Take blank scrapbook pages and have everyone write down their well wishes (without Mom knowing it) for the new baby. This can be done at or before the shower and can be given at the shower or to Mom while she is in the hospital. If given after the shower, it can include photos taken there.

Pass out sheets of heavy paper decorated with baby related stamps, stickers, or pictures several lines drawn on. Have the guests write their name on the paper and then write down some baby/parenting advice. Once everyone is finished, collect them, add a cover, punch holes in it, and tie it together with some ribbon. Then hand it to Mom to read aloud. This will be entertaining as well as touching and is a nice keepsake. There is tons of room for creativity on this one.

Have each guest bring an small gift for Daddy-to-be and the host of the shower will then place them in large gift bag to present to him at the close of the party (usually after the main gifts are opened). He opens this with Mommy-to-be at home or in presence of close family or friends.

Good luck with your baby shower!

Article by:

Adriana Copaceanu is a work at home mom of 2, and the publisher of Baby’s First Year Companion, an online resource for new parents. www.babys-first-year.com

Normally if you are hosting a baby shower you have already compiled the guest list before you are ready to pick the invitations. Basic information that should be included on your invitations are who the shower is for, what type of shower, the date of the baby shower, and where the party is planned to be held. Don’t forget to put your RSVP information on the card so you will be able to determine how many guests are planning to actually come. I like to ask for guests to call with regrets only so I have fewer phone calls.

Invitations should be mailed three to four weeks before the date of the baby shower. This will give guests plenty of time to mark their calendars and plan to attend the baby shower. There is nothing more annoying than getting an invitation late and having only a few days to shop for that special gift. You want to be able to get that special bundle of joy the perfect gift.

The invitations should complement the theme you have chosen for the baby shower. The colors should be similar to the nursery theme or the decorations you plan to use at the baby shower. You should buy the “Thank You” cards at the same time you purchase the invitations so they match in theme and color. A neat idea I have implemented, is to leave a stack of envelopes at the guest sign in table for guests to address with their information so that the mother-to-be will have a pre-addressed envelope ready to mail the “Thank You” cards in. This will cut down on the amount of time spent by the new mom when writing her appreciation remarks.

Places where the new mom has registered for gifts need to be listed on the invitations as well. This will help the guests purchase items that are in need by the mother-to-be. This also makes the shopping alot easier for friends and family.

Invitations can be made by phone call, but are more formal if printed and mailed to guests. The invitation itself will help serve as a reminder for the guest to come to the baby shower when planned.

Article by:

Kim is the owner of Mom’s World Online, an online site which provides unique baby shower gifts and favors as well as personalized children’s storybooks. Visit her at www.momsworldonline.com

Always ask the mother-to-be for a guest list. Do not invite your friends. Remember this is for the guest of honor, not the hostess. Be sure to get this list from the mother at least six weeks before the date of the shower. You will need to know how many people you are inviting to budget and plan accordingly.

Family members, close friends, and co-workers are usually who are invited to the baby shower. The main objective of a baby shower is to shower the parent-to-be with love and support by attending the function and bringing an appropriate gift to help the parents out. This is one of the biggest events in a person’s life and close friends and family should be a part of it.

Couple showers are becoming increasingly popular these days. Both the mom and dad participate and can enjoy the festivities with friends and family. Men are warming up to the idea of attending baby showers and want to play a more active role in the pregnancy. Be sure to plan the shower appropriately if you are hosting a couples shower. Be sure the games and favors are geared toward both parents to make Dad feel welcome also.

Surprise showers are also alot of fun. These make the guest list a lot harder to compile though, since you cannot ask the mother-to-be for a list. The best thing to do in this situation is to ask close relatives and co-workers to compile the list for you. Make sure you note on the invitations that the baby shower is a surprise!

When compiling the guest list, make sure to get all important information needed for mailing invitations. Get the guests’ name, address, phone number and email address if possible. The more information you obtain the better.

Article by:

Kim is the owner of Mom’s World Online, an online site which provides unique baby shower gifts and favors as well as personalized children’s storybooks. Visit her at www.momsworldonline.com

Tradition is out the window, and anytime anywhere parties are in! Traditionally, baby showers are held about six weeks prior to the due date of the baby. Many mothers today however, are electing to have their baby showers after the birth of the baby. The most important task is to ask the mother when she would like to have it.

Baby showers given after the birth of the baby allow friends and family to see the newborn at one time. This may cut down on the amount of visits, which can be very tiring for the new parents. Belated baby showers also allow the guests to buy the appropriate clothing (color and size) for the newborn. This takes the guesswork out of boy or girl, big or small baby issues.

You should start the planning phase of a baby shower at least six weeks before the shower date. When you know how many guests will be invited, you can start to make arrangements for where and what time the shower should be held. Be careful to make sure there is adequate space for the number of guests anticipated. It is important for all guests and especially the mom to be comfortable and at ease. This will ensure a successful party.

The shower can be held during the week or weekends. Generally speaking, weekends are the more popular alternative. Most guests have full time jobs and will be able to more likely make an appearance if the shower is on the weekend when their work schedule is not as hectic. Saturday is the most common day that showers are held. Showers can be held on Sunday, but need to take into consideration times that guests will be at church services. The goal is to set a time that is convenient for the mother and for guests so that you will have a good attendance.

Article by:

Kim is the owner of Mom’s World Online, an online site which provides unique baby shower gifts and favors as well as personalized children’s storybooks. Visit her at www.momsworldonline.com