Planning the Essential Baby Shower Supplies

If you’re hosting a baby shower, the time you spend planning will ensure that everything at the shower goes smoothly and that everyone has a good time at the event. Check out the following list of supplies you’ll need that are essential for a baby shower.

The first thing you’ll need is a planning checklist. This will help ensure that you can keep track of everything you need. Invitations are the first essential supply. These can be simple fill-in-the-blank invitations you purchase at your local mass market retailer or custom invitations you order from the printer – or anything in between. Along with the invitations, you’ll need envelopes, stamps, addresses and a way to track RSVPs.

You’ll also need supplies for decorating. This can be as simple or elaborate as you choose. At a minimum, you’ll probably want something to mark your home or front door to let guests know they’re at the right place. In most cases, this simply involves tying a group of balloons at the end of your driveway. You may also want to purchase streamers and other baby shower related decorations. If you’re on a budget, there may be items in your house you can re-purpose as decorations. Either way, note those items on your planning checklist, along with a deadline by which they need to be obtained.

And don’t forget about a centerpiece for the table where the food will be served. You can choose to have a cake or other special dessert as your centerpiece or you can use something else, such as flowers, a diaper cake or another type of centerpiece. While it isn’t necessary to purchase special plates, cups, napkins or table coverings to match your theme, these – along with serving pieces – are still supplies you’ll need. Refreshments are essential as well. At a minimum, you’ll need beverages and a dessert for your guests to enjoy. Light appetizers are also a good choice – especially if you’re on a budget. It’s also helpful to have some disposable plates and plastic wrap or some inexpensive storage containers on hand, so that you can give the mother-to-be some cake to take home with her.

You’ll also need to arrange for seating for all of your guests. This may involve rearranging your own furniture, or borrowing or renting additional chairs.

You’ll need to arrange a place for the presents to be placed as the guests arrive. This can be a bare table, but it will certainly add to the ambiance of the event to choose an attractive table cloth or some other form of decoration. Include these decorating items on your planning checklist.

And while it’s far from essential, it’s a good idea to provide the guest of honor with something to indicate her favored status. Many hostesses choose a corsage, button or sash for this purpose.

You’ll also want to have a pad of paper and a pen on hand to make notes of the gifts the mom receives along with the name of the giver. This information will be essential later on to the mother-to-be when she’s writing her thank you notes.

Finally, it’s a good idea to have some form of entertainment for your event. This can be as simple as having some music playing in the background or as complicated as arranging a number of fun baby shower games. If you do decide to play games, don’t forget to buy any necessary gifts and door prizes ahead of time.