OT: In Need of Baby Shower Planning Help

[Amirah95]

I decided to plan my own baby shower because I want it outside of my home and/or anybody's home and that means I'll have to pay for it and plan it all. It's weird, but I'm over it.

1. Anyway, I'm stuck on what to do about the favors. I've been searching around the web for ideas, but the only thing that I like so far are the candy wrappers I can put around Hershey bars. It's not a nicknack and people will eat it so it will be used. Are there any other types of favors I can buy for my guests that they will actually use that is baby shower related?

2. I'm also having trouble with what types of items to put into my raffle gift basket that I'm going to give away at the party. I need help on this one. Men and women will be at the shower so that's why I'm having a hard time with this one.

3. I read this idea on some website yesterday that to enter the raffle you have to submit a box of diapers or wipes in order to participate. Does this sound like a good idea or is it over the top??? I do have a roll of unused raffle tickets on hand to use as well.

4. Anybody have a DJ at their baby shower if they didn't have a party in the home?

 

[cheerbop]

I was just at a baby shower yesterday where they had a naplin folded like a diaper and in it they slid in a small packet of wild flower seeds---to "atch grow like the baby"---I thought that was different.

The raffle thing is different--never heard of that. For items in the basket you could put books, maybe small incriments of gift cards--to like book stores and fast food places/starbucks, etc. , DVDs.hmm...I would have to think on that more myself since it is both men and women.

Also, never heard of a DJ at a baby shower, but I guess if it is a huge one...

 

[SaraMc]

I just hosted a baby shower yesterday. How many people arre coming to your event? Will the baby be there already?
Mine was co-ed as well as right now all my friends are either really pregnant or like me have someone small and need the extra help wrangling them all in. 8 babies all just barely walking--FUN!
We had games that they could win prizes but no raffles. I went to the dollar store and got things for around the house and at the Target Dollar spot too. The ones that were more "manly" were in blue wrapping paper ect ect.
The goofy games the women are used to, the men were a bit weirded out by some of them.

Hope this helps, any questions feel free to PM me

 

[powellrj]

please, I am trying to understand and I am not being snarky, but it sounds like a little over the top for a baby shower. All of the baby showers I have been to are in the afternoon and you play a few games, have cake and punch while the new mom to be opens the gifts. I went to 2 different baby showers last year and thats how both of them were.

I have never heard of anyone hosting a baby shower for themselves, holding a raffle or having a DJ.

 

[tweedlemom]

I did the best, shortest shower game ever at my sister in laws shower. Give everyone an index card and a pen. Set a timer for 30 seconds, have everyone put the index card on top of their head and draw a baby--obviously without looking! It is so funny to see people drawing on their heads, makes for a great picture too! Whichever picture most resmbles a baby wins a prize.
Also, for the men, pair them up and have an "undiaper, powder then rediaper the baby (doll) contest". Have them square off until there is only one man left! It is so funny since men are very competitive, watching them try to outdo one another in the diapering department. (Oh, and they have to be blindfolded!) Lottery tickets are a great unisex raffle prize. For favors, a friend of mine gave away colored loofahs tied to long green sticks (so they looked like stemmed flowers) with a note that said "From Megan's Shower to Yours!" I thought that was cute. Good luck!

 

[chefkellyb]

please, I am trying to understand and I am not being snarky, but it sounds like a little over the top for a baby shower. All of the baby showers I have been to are in the afternoon and you play a few games, have cake and punch while the new mom to be opens the gifts. I went to 2 different baby showers last year and thats how both of them were.

I have never heard of anyone hosting a baby shower for themselves, holding a raffle or having a DJ.

I have to agree. There must be some "story" behind this shower. Every shower that I ever attended was hosted by friends or family members as a nice jesture for the mother-to-be. I'm not sure how I would feel if I were to receive an invitation from someone hosting their own shower. Maybe I'm old-fashioned or things have changed for showers but I have never heard of this.

 

[Amirah95]

I have to agree. There must be some "story" behind this shower. Every shower that I ever attended was hosted by friends or family members as a nice jesture for the mother-to-be. I'm not sure how I would feel if I were to receive an invitation from someone hosting their own shower. Maybe I'm old-fashioned or things have changed for showers but I have never heard of this.

You guys mean a shower at a banquet hall is over the top? I don't want it at home. I don't want anybody to have to cook or clean up afterwards or pay for this party and I only asked about a DJ because it's at a full service hall and we won't be playing any shower games. The banquet manager says his place does baby showers all the time and most people hire DJs. I don't think we'll be needing one, but I think a little nice music playing in the background while mingling would be nice ??? Both men and women are invited so I don't want it to be too girly. My DM and my DMIL are going to help out with everything so they are the hosts and will be inviting the guests.

 

[chefkellyb]

Ok, I get it now. I read your original post as you were hosting and planning your own shower. My apologies.

Not sure if this will help or not. We had our daughter's Christening at a reception hall because it was in the winter and our home was small at the time. We hired a DJ to play background music for everyone to enjoy while they were eating. Everyone ended up asking him to play dance music, so it ended up being a very lively party. I don't think it is weird or over the top to hold it at a hall.

I like the lotter ticket idea. Even gift cards to Starbucks or a Dunkin' Donuts or something like that might be a nice idea. For a larger scale item, put together like a basket full of breakfast goodies and a gift card. Or even give out restaurant gift cards as big raffle items. Everyone likes to eat.

Most of all, it should be your day- try not to stress on the details. Enjoy!

 

[Amirah95]

Ok, I get it now. I read your original post as you were hosting and planning your own shower. My apologies.

Not sure if this will help or not. We had our daughter's Christening at a reception hall because it was in the winter and our home was small at the time. We hired a DJ to play background music for everyone to enjoy while they were eating. Everyone ended up asking him to play dance music, so it ended up being a very lively party. I don't think it is weird or over the top to hold it at a hall.

I like the lotter ticket idea. Even gift cards to Starbucks or a Dunkin' Donuts or something like that might be a nice idea. For a larger scale item, put together like a basket full of breakfast goodies and a gift card. Or even give out restaurant gift cards as big raffle items. Everyone likes to eat.

Most of all, it should be your day- try not to stress on the details. Enjoy!

Thank you!

I made it clear to my DM and DMIL that I would pay for the hall so I chose it. I wasn't supposed to plan my own shower, but my best friend won't be in town the weekend of the shower so I have to come up with the favors and to do the gift basket...figure out the DJ part and that's it. Everything else will be take care of by the mothers and the hall people. I'm not stressed, I'm looking forward to spending a good time with both sides of the family.

 

[WE<3MICKEY]

Here are some baby shower favors that I have made for a few showers and they were ALWAYS a hit. Also, my friend is giving birth in a few days and I am making these for her birth announcements

Not the best pic, but they are chocolate lollipops wrapped up to look like a baby in a blanket

PM me if you like them, I will tell you about them

 

[poohfriend77]

I helped host a co-ed shower last summer, although it was a more traditional cake-and-punch "girly" shower. The guys sat on the deck and drank beer while the women played the silly games, then we all came together for snacks/cake and opening of gifts.

We also did the diaper raffle. We put a separate piece of paper inside the invitation with a picture of a naked baby, and it said "Don't let Baby Smith end up like this one! If you'd like to bring a package of diapers or wipes, you will be entered into a raffle." We also included her registry info. The guests thought it was cute, and we didn't feel like we were "charging admission." Since the guests were men and women of varying ages, our prize was a nice restaurant gift card.