Baby Showers can be held either before or after the birth of a baby. This is a totally independent choice on the part of the Hostess. Some “moms to be” are superstitious and prefer to have their shower after the birth of the baby but this is rare. Check with the “Dad to be.” In past times, it was considered bad luck to have a shower prior to the birth of a baby, but this superstition is hardly healthy thinking and times have changed!

If you are planning to have a baby shower, consider the points below in your planning.

• Anyone can hold a baby shower for the mom to be, including family members.

• Plan the baby shower approximately 6 weeks prior to the birth of the baby. The ‘mom to be” will surely be nesting and setting up the baby’s room and this is an uncomfortable time for her as she groooows! The distraction will be good for her!
• Due to the expense of a couple having their first baby, a baby shower prior to the birth is most helpful to the expectant parents. Family and friends may wish to get together to buy a more expensive necessity such as a crib or a stroller or car seat.
• Do include a gift receipt with the baby gift in the event that the parents receive duplicate gifts.
• Do encourage the parents to be to set up a gift registry at a store that is convenient for everyone to get to. Some people will use it and others will not and this is great as some guests may wish to be more creative in their gifts.
• In this day and age, the parents may have chosen to ask the sex of their baby through an Ultrasound. Shopping for that special gift is certainly much easier, but remember that Ultrasounds have been misread! Include a gift receipt.
• Gift cards are certainly acceptable gifts and can be wrapped in receiving blankets or small gift boxes with a decorative baby rattle or baby washcloth on top of the parcel. Most parents are thrilled to receive a gift card to buy necessities they may not receive.
• At some showers, diapers are requested as well as the baby gift, so that you can be entered into a draw for a prize. This is acceptable, but guests should never feel forced to “enter the draw”. It is simply a way to include a game into the shower fun as well as to provide new parents with a known necessity. DO include a gift receipt with the diapers as babies outgrow sizes quickly should you participate.   
• When the sex of the baby is not known, sleepers, clothes etc may all be white, mint green or yellow. This is a good time to look at unisex clothing such as jean jackets, unisex jeans, the color red or the gift of a toy. Gift cards again fit the need in this case as do many baby needs such as lotions, creams, towels and blankets.
• If the baby shower is held after the birth of baby, it is fun and a free for all! The baby is also present at the shower which is fun!
• A baby shower is not usually held for a second baby, but that is entirely up to the hostess. If the sex of the baby is different than the sex of the first, it can be a fun time and a chance for the guests to see the new infant once Mom is feeling well.
• A Shower lasting 2-3 hrs on a weekend with tasty snacks and non alcoholic beverages is perfect. Wine can be offered should you wish. Don’t forget the cake!