When throwing a baby shower it is so easy to get wrapped up in the adorable details and lost in the big picture. Here are a few interesting twists to showers that will wow guests and the parents to be!

1. Get Their Input

It can be tempting to keep a shower all a surprise, however with a little input from the parents to be, you can tailor their celebration to fit their family and their needs. Be sure to ask if there’s a certain theme they’d like. For example if they are designing a woodland themed nursery, they may want to mimic this theme at the shower and use the decor in their nursery. Also ask if there’s a specific item they’d like to be showered with. Maybe the new parents plan to use certain diapers or maybe they’d like a book shower to build a beautiful library for their little one.

2. Make Thank-You Notes a Breeze

Thank you notes are so important, yet can be so daunting especially for working parents or those with other children. Help the parents to be by purchasing a set of thank you cards to match their theme. Print a second set of address labels for all guests invited to the shower. Then during the shower, as gifts are opened you can quickly and discretely address the envelopes. Be sure to bring a pad of post-its as well. As guests ooh and aaah over each darling gift, you can write down the contents on a post-it and stick it into a thank you card. At the end of the shower present the parents to be with the gift of time and ease. They will be able to quickly and easily remember who got what and thank them. Grab your Thank You Notes here and check this item off your list!

3. Less Cards, More Books

A great way to build a lovely baby library is to request a book in lieu of a card. There are many cutesy ways to word the request right in the invitation. Guests won’t mind because usually board books are about the same price as a card, but feel more like you’re adding another piece to your gift. Guests can write a message in their book if they choose as well. New parents will love having sweet, new books for their little one and it’s always fun to see which title each guest chooses. Not sure what book to choose? Try these favorites; The Mitten, The Foot Book, Where’s Spot, Goodnight Moon

4. Include a Wipes or Diapers Raffle

Add a cute little note into the invites letting attendees know they’ll be entered into a raffle if they bring diapers or wipes. This is a great way to stock the parents-to-be up with these basic necessities. Be sure to indicate skin sensitivities or any specific diapers the family plans to use. Don’t forget to grab a great prize such as a coffee gift card, luxurious candle, or a bottle of wine for the raffle winner(s).

5. Meal Train for the Win!

If there’s anything new parents should not be worrying about, it’s what’s for dinner! Setting up a schedule for friends and family to bring dinner and visit the new baby can be a huge life saver. First, ask the parent(s) to be what days/ times work or don’t work for them. They may not want visitors every night so it’s best to work with their schedule ahead of time. Also find out some of the family’s favorite meals as well as any allergies or food they don’t like or can’t eat. Then put out a schedule at the shower for people to sign up for days and meals. This will give the parents to be an idea of who wants to come visit and will help settle well meaning family and friends who can’t wait to see the new bundle of joy. A few things to consider… most babies don’t come on their due date, so plan meals to start after the due date if you use a calendar format for your sign up. Leave a space for those who are very flexible or who would just like to send a meal (have something delivered or provide a gift card). People who live far away or who have different schedules may still want to provide food even if they can’t come visit. Lastly, remind guests when their day is approaching and have a plan for cancellations as things will happen and you don’t want to leave new parents waiting and wondering. Want a super simple way to plan and organize your meal train? Try using mealtrain.com.  

With multiple options and free basic meal train organization, this website makes this step of shower planning a breeze. The best part is that it’s all online so you and the new parents can access and update it on the go.

Thank you for visiting! We’d love to know your favorite baby shower ideas in the comments.