- Choose the date with the mother-to-be -- or someone close to her if it's a surprise --at least eight weeks in advance. Find a venue and book it if it is not at your own home before sending out invites. Email or posted invitations should go out six weeks in advance of the shower to give guests time to RSVP and buy a gift.
- Set a budget after you set the date. A baby shower has so many small details, including hostess gifts, game prizes, food and decorations that it's easy to go over budget. Becky Long, author of "Themed Baby Showers," suggests that finding "a co-host or two... potentially [cuts] your costs by a half or a third."
- A large majority of showers are theme-based, which means the decor takes on the theme. Themes may be a simple color scheme, such as yellow and white, or more open for interpretation, such as the "vintage toys" theme. Aside from decor, the menu is where you may spend the most time and money, so choose dishes that don't tax your culinary skills or budget such as finger foods or light hors d'ouevres.
previous post