One thing many hostesses take for granted when they are planning a baby shower is the baby shower. Why? They tend to focus more on the planning of the baby shower rather than having fun at the baby shower. You don’t want to miss the fun you created so stop thinking you have to speed over the event to make it worthwhile and memorable. If you stop for a moment and think about what you have to do, you won’t forget anything rather important like certain guests.

Tip One – Planning and Organizing the Baby Shower
It’s important to invite guests to the baby shower. After all, it’s not a baby shower if there are no guests to enjoy it. It’s vital that you know where to start. Start early with the planning. Give yourself at least two to three months of planning. Why? There are many things that can go wrong if you don’t. When you start later, you are often more stressed out and can forget little things or bigger ones such as a guest was not invited that should have been. Remember that planning a party should be fun, not completely stressful.

Tip Two – Inviting Guests (Check It Twice), Create Your Theme and Invitations
Once you have a guest list made out, it’s time to check it once again to be sure no one has been left off that should be at the baby shower with the mother-to-be. It’s possible with everything going on that someone was left off the list.

Now that you have your guest list, it’s time to create your baby shower theme. Baby showers that have a theme are usually more successful and guests know what they need to do.

Once your theme is established, start getting those invitations ready. You’ll also need to get some thank you cards. If you are buying your invitations, make sure you buy those thank you cards at the same time so that the retailer does not run out of that particular theme (It could happen). You don’t want to settle with just any old thank you cards.

Tip Three – Other Ways To Invite Guests
You don’t always have to rely on invitations to get your baby shower message across. You can also rely on the telephone. However, if you have a huge list, this can be quite time consuming and not very reliable. If someone is doesn’t answer their phone, you have to wait for them to return your call once you leave your message. You can also use e-cards to send to a person’s e-mail or you can send a one-on-one email to the person directly. E-cards are good because retailers never run out of them. Some places charge to send e-cards while others have limited choices on free e-cards. The way you decide to get in touch with a potential guest is up to you.

Tip Four – Creating Invitations
Who said you have to purchase those invitations or thank you cards? Why not use your home computer and design them yourself or take them to a company that specializes in special event designs. There are so many choices in design you are bound to find the perfect one that fits your needs and theme.

Tip Five – What To Put On Your Invitations
You should be about ready to send out those invitations. Guests should have invitations sent about a month before the scheduled event. By giving this time frame, they have plenty of time to let you know one way or the other if they are able to show up. However, you don’t need to stamp those envelopes just yet. Why? You have to give guests the information they need to make their decision. What kind of information?

On the invitations, you should have:

- Time
- Date
- Location (Be sure you enclose a map or directions to the location)
- Phone or cell phone number
- Email
- Any gift registries the mother is with
- Baby shower Theme
- Indicate if the event is co-ed or women only
- Make sure you have the proper postage

Don’t forget to include these two bits of information in your invitations.

First, make sure you indicate that you need RSVPs. Give guests options on how they can contact you including email, phone number or by snail mail. Include a stamped envelope and address it for your guest.

Second, it is vital that guests have directions to the party’s location. Remember that giving them your phone number and including a map can help them out too.