Getting Ready for Baby - Planning the Perfect Shower

Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting, terrifying, exhilarating times in a woman's life. Even a pregnancy that has been welcomed and planned for can be a cause for "pre-natal nerves". Just as it falls to the bridesmaids or matron-of-honor to plan at least one bridal shower, it now falls to the best girl-friend to plan at least one baby shower - a party that will celebrate all the wonderful things about bringing a new life into the world.

Planning the perfect shower can take some time and effort. For one thing, it helps to know the honoree quite well, or at least, to have some idea of her likes and dislikes with regard to the wonderful world of babies. Does she have her nursery colors picked out? Have they picked out any names yet? Do they know, or want to know the sex of their impending bundle of joy? These are a few of the questions that can help you get started planning.

If your mommy-to-be has already picked out her color scheme, or at least has some ideas about furnishings, then you could have a jumping off point for the party theme.

Many department stores and specialty shops offer a baby registry, so you can always get some great gift ideas from that.

But what about the actual party?

One of the most fun ways to theme the party can be to use whatever your prospective mommy has selected for a decor theme.

It's always nice to have some sense of intention, or design order in baby's new room, and selecting decor items that reflect or complement the chosen theme can really promote the overall feel of the completed room.

If the new mommy is a big fan of pastels and prints, try to stick with things you know she'll like. Party favors in her color choices with matching decorations can set the tone for the whole affair. Encourage party goers to choose gifts that reflect her taste and color choices, as well.

Gifting her with a layette in red, white, and blue nautical prints is a fun idea if the baby's due in July. You may think it would be cute and patriotic, but this may not be your best choice - well, only if the whole set is terminally cute!

Seriously, though, mommy will be far more likely to use it and love it if you stick to the softer Laura Ashley shades and prints.

Decorations that reflect whatever has been chosen for baby's new room is always a sure new mommy-pleaser. As well, it is fairly easy to pull off as balloons can be ordered in almost any shade under the sun nowadays, although if she's a fan of aubergine, you may have a long hunt on your hands.

Colored streamers and clusters of balloons are festive, but can also be limited to a lovely, beribboned cascade behind the guest of honor's chair. The ribbons should co-ordinate with your color scheme as well.

Party favors can range from those oh-so-cute china booties, and over-sized pacifiers, to rather ribald "insemination aids", so be sure you know your honoree's taste before indulging. If she is easily embarrassed, best to leave the raunchier items for another lucky mommy-to-be.

Sites abound that specialize in helping you find exactly the right favors and decorations to suit your very special occasion.

As well, the games you play will largely depend on your audience, so make sure you "know your girls". One of the best-intentioned disasters I ever attended was thrown by a college classmate for another of our classmates.

Her mother's rather formal home was beautifully decorated in soft pastel shades, from the streamers to the balloons, and the beautifully appointed table, laden with fine china and crystal, was graced with a large pink swan, carved from ice and filled with pink fruit punch.

The food was equally dainty and delightful, but the whole affair nearly died a terrible death from over-formality. The guest of honor took it well, but we all felt a bit uncomfortable when the games began.

Each of us had been charged with devising a game for the evening. A few of our classmates could be pretty rowdy given the chance, so we had a few misgivings about their plans. As our classmate's mother and aunt were there - to meet her friends and help with the refreshments - we were grateful when, with rare tact and discretion, our exuberant buddies, pleading the pressures of over-due reports, affected to not have prepared any games.

It was a very nice evening, and so generous of our friend to have opened her home, but when we compared notes after the fact, we felt, almost to a woman, as if we'd been parachuted into Grandmother's parlor. Our little group of out-door gals would have been better served with cheese and crackers, pizza, and a chick-flick or two.

Unfortunately, we never did get to play "And Whose Little Sperm Are You?" nor "Pin the DNA on the Penis".

© 2010, Text by Elle Fredine, All rights reserved