Baby Shower Checklist

Baby Shower Checklist

Hosting a successful baby shower comes down to planning and organization. The following time-line and step-by-step planning guide will help you organize and prepare a successful baby shower, stay in control during the baby shower party and ensure the mommy-to-be has the time of her life.

Two months before the Baby Shower
* Create the baby shower guest list (Things to Consider: Will you invite women only, or couples?)
* Determine a budget for the baby shower
* Set the date of the baby shower
* Decide on the baby shower location (Things to Consider: Will you have the shower at your home, in a restaurant, a church hall or community hall, or a hotel reception room?)
* Book any special vendors, entertainment or other surprises, if applicable.

One month before the Baby Shower
* Decide on the baby shower theme, the style, formality, and mood of the shower. (Things to Consider: Formal or casual, elegant or whimsical?
* Select and mail the baby shower invitations – include directions (Things to Consider: Will you purchase invitations or make your own? Will you use fill in the blank cards, or custom order them pre-printed?)
* Plan for the baby shower menu (Things to Consider: Will it be a sit down meal, a buffet, pot luck, finger foods, coffee and dainties, wine and cheese, afternoon tea? Who will provide the food? Caterers, restaurant, do-it-yourself?)

Three weeks before the Baby Shower
* Order a the baby shower cake
* Order balloons and flowers if there are decorations
* Order tables and chairs if hosting the baby shower at home
* Order any other special entertainment or surprises
* Order / Book any party rental supplies you may require, if applicable (tables, chairs, linens, outdoor tent, dishware, serving accessories, theme decorations...)
* Purchase your gift for the guest of honor, or the group gift for the guest of honor if you have opted for one large gift from all guests.
* Purchase a guest book or memory album for guests to sign (or make a memory album)

Two weeks before the Baby Shower
* Decide whether you will include party games, and if so, decide on which games
* Buy baby shower decorations, game prizes and party favors
* Buy plates, cups, eating utensils, tablecloths, etc. if you’re hosting the baby shower at home
* Finalize the baby shower menu with the Caterer or Restaurant
* Plan which baby shower games you want guest to play

One week before the Baby Shower
* Establish a final count on your baby shower guest list, particularly if a sit down meal will be served.
* Call invited guests who have not RSVP’d to the baby shower
* Wrap baby shower game prizes and party favors
* Buy film and batteries for camera and video recorder
* If hosting the baby shower at home, begin to clean the home
* Prepare a printed baby shower menu, table assignments and name tags (if desired)
* Buy your baby shower gift for mommy-to-be
* Select background music and make sure you have any equipment you require.
* Order a corsage from a florist for the guest of honor

The day before the Baby Shower
* Begin decorating if you’re hosting the baby shower at home
* Set up tables, chairs, food table, drink table, etc. if you’re hosting the baby shower at home
* Buy baby shower drinks if you’re hosting the baby shower at home
* Purchase food and prepare platters and/or pick up any special food platters ordered.
* Make telephone calls to confirm with all vendors, if applicable.
* Have cash on hand to tip vendors, if applicable.
* If you’re cooking anything for the baby shower, do whatever you can today
* If you are baking the baby shower cake, today is the day
* Make sure camera and / or video camera are ready to go, complete with film, batteries, and any other necessary accessories like a power cord, tripod, etc.
* Wrap gifts/ prizes for game winners and get the baby shower games ready – make sure you have plenty of pencils
* Prepare a time-line for the day of the baby shower so that you stay on schedule. - The time-line should include last minute tasks before the baby shower begins and a schedule to keep the party on track (baby showers are generally 4 to 6 hours)
* Double-check that every item on the checklist before “The Day of the Baby Shower” is done
* Buy flowers if applicable.
* Pick up cake if applicable
* Prepare street signs leading to the party, if necessary.
* Pick up any party rentals that are not being delivered.
* Pick up the corsage for the guest of honor if its not being delivered
* Tidy up house and party area(s).

The Day of the Baby Shower!
* Follow your baby shower time-line to stay organized and calm
* Pick up balloons, flowers and/or other centerpieces if you have ordered them
* Pick up the baby shower cake if you are not baking it yourself
* Finish setting up baby shower decorations and put party favors out on a table
* Set up the gift table.
* Set up the guest book on a table near the door so guests can sign it upon arrival
* Buy plenty of ice for drinks and setup up drinks and cups
* Set out food on tables if you’re hosting the baby shower at home
* Designate certain guests to take pictures and video of the baby shower
* When mommy-to-be is opening baby shower gifts, keep trash bags close by
* Write down the baby shower gifts and who they were given by – use the Invite/RSVP
list to make sending thank you cards easy for mommy-to-be
* Have fun and rest assured that you have planned a wonderful day for mommy-to-be!