When you are a hostess throwing a baby shower, how successful the event is depends on how well you plan and organize it. If you want to be sure that the day of the baby shower is one of relaxation and fun, then it’s important to utilize several simple tips to pull off “your” successful baby shower party and give everyone the time of their life include the mother-to-be.

Successful Baby Shower Tip One – Guest List
Above all else, you have to have a guest list. What is a party without guests? There isn’t one. Be sure to compile one together with help from the expectant mother. It’s a given that the woman’s relatives are there to share in the day. Find out whom else she would like to invite. You also want to make sure that she is okay with inviting men to her shower. Some women rather go for the traditional look. When you know how many people may be coming, you can set a budget for the party items including food, gifts, door prizes, invitations, etc.

Successful Baby Shower Tip Two – Other Baby Showers
There may be times that expectant mothers will have more than one baby shower to attend. If you are planning one for an expectant mother, make sure you find out when they are being held and who has been invited. Family members should always be invited to a baby shower, regardless of how many times they have been invited to other showers. Be sure you get contact information for each guest. Keep this information nearby to thank those who attended and to send thank you notes out later.

Successful Baby Shower Tip Three – Set Up a Budget and Stick To It
No sooner than you take on the role of hostess and have your guest list, set up a budget. When you have a budget, you know exactly what you have to spend on food, decorations, invitations, etc. Should your budget be low, you can still have a great baby shower.

Successful Baby Shower Tip Four – Where to Hold the Baby Shower
If the baby shower is going to be a small event, consider holding it at your home or another guest’s home. Small parties don’t usually require an outside venue. Still, if the party seems to be too big for the home, then consider a restaurant and ask someone to co-host the event with you. If money is a problem, ask relatives of the mother-to-be to chip in. Don’t ask someone you know doesn’t have money to chip in with money.

Successful Baby Shower Tip Five – Baby Shower Theme
Having a theme for a baby shower helps to hostesses decide what kind of food, party gifts and decorations will be used. If you have problems trying to come up with themes, use the Internet to help you out. One easy theme hostesses can use is pink or blue decorations. Of course, this only works the gender of the baby is known. If you plan for something different, make sure it is something you know the guest of honor will like.

Successful Baby Shower Tip Six – Setting A Date
When should baby showers be held? Baby showers should be held about one to two months before the mother’s due date. Holding it any closer may cause some unexpected surprises such as a mother going into labor before the event or at the event. As you are choosing the date to have the baby shower, remember those important guests and find out their schedule. Make sure you get a location for the party. If you are holding the baby shower at a restaurant, get the go ahead from all invited. Reserve the restaurant and set up the theme you decided to go with.

Successful Baby Shower Tip Seven – Invitations
Invitations should be sent about a month and half before the event takes place. This gives guests the chance to redo schedules. If you haven’t heard from some of the guests make sure you follow up with phone calls. Be sure to clearly state the date of the baby shower, the time it begins, have directions and/or map included in the invitations as well as your home or cell phone number.

Successful Baby Shower Tip Eight – Baby Shower Food
You have many options when it comes to food. You can serve a meal for your guests, provide them with light snack with refreshments or ask your guests to bring with them one dish to serve like a potluck. If you plan to have the baby shower at a restaurant, always look at the menu ahead of time. If you can, you want to match the food with the baby shower theme. If you don’t feel like preparing everything for yourself and have the money, then have someone cater the baby shower. Don’t forget the necessary eating utensils.

Successful Baby Shower Tip Nine – Baby Shower Decorations
Once you have your baby shower theme, you can start looking for decorations that will compliment it. If you choose to hold the baby shower at a restaurant, make sure this is okay to put up before you purchase them.

Successful Baby Shower Tip Ten – Baby Shower Games
No party is a success when you don’t have games for guest to play. If you are having trouble coming up with games that you and your guests can enjoy, then look to the Internet. There are plenty of articles/websites that can give you ideas on the kind of games available. You don’t even have to spend a lot of money to play the games. Make sure you have enough prizes to award the winners of these games.

Successful Baby Shower Tip Eleven – Party Favors
Find party favors that match the theme of your baby shower. For instance, you can stuff baby bottles full of candies and other little goodies. Need help? Search the Internet for more ideas.

When you are putting together a baby shower, you can be unique or traditional. If you want, make the baby shower a co-ed event. This includes the father-to-be as well.