View video: Welcome a new addition with a memorable baby shower
Luckily, baby showers never go out of style. Instead of hosting a plain old party, here's a guide to throwing a baby shower the family won't forget. It all starts with a creative theme...
Welcome to the Family Tree Baby Shower
Host a shower for the soon-to-be newest family member and welcome him or her to the family tree.
Invitations
Draw or photocopy a picture of the family tree. Cut out a leaf for the new baby and write the party details on it, then stick it to the tree. Ask guests to dress in "Family" or "Friend" T-shirts, with the name of the family lineage on the back. On the front, write the baby's name (or last name), and the connection each family member or friend has to the baby, such as "Baby's Aunt Susan" or "Baby's Cousin."
Decorations
Using a Balloon Time Helium Balloon Kit, fill the party room with helium balloons to match the gender of the baby - pink for a girl, blue for a boy - or both if you don't know the gender. Set out photos of family and friends and have everyone bring family albums to share. Showcase any family crests or heirlooms. At the table, set out place markers and draw lines on the paper tablecloth linking the relatives by their connections. Collect long-loved teddy bears from everyone and arrange them in a basket as a centerpiece - with a new one for the new baby. Tie a single helium balloon to the baby's new bear.
Games and Activities
First Best Friends
Have the new mom guess which teddy bear or stuffed animal belongs to each friend or family member.
Beautiful Babies
Ask players to bring their baby pictures, and then have the mother-to-be try to guess who's who.
The Family Tree
Sit in a circle and have the first player state how she is related to the new baby. The second player must repeat how the first player is related - however she wants to state it, as long as it's accurate - then add her relationship. The third player does the same, and so on around the circle. For example, you might hear, "Jodie is the baby's second cousin, Kathy is engaged to the baby's mother's brother's son, and I'm the baby's maternal grandmother." When the game reaches the new mom, she must repeat all of the relationships mentioned before. By the end of the game, she'll know her baby's relationship to everyone at the party - or be totally confused!
Black Sheep
On index cards, write down interesting facts about family members. For example, "Uncle Bill became governor of South Carolina," "Great Grandma was a silent movie star," and "Nephew Luke was a romance writer." Then make up a few stories that aren't true, such as, "Greatgreat Uncle Bob used to be a rodeo clown" or "Aunt Jean was once a dancer." Have the new mom guess which ones are true and which are false.
Refreshments
Have everyone bring a favorite family dish, along with the recipe and some of the ingredients. Ask each person to talk about the history of the dish, where it came from, how it's been passed along, and so on. For a centerpiece cake, draw the family tree on a sheet cake using tubes of frosting, with the new baby leaf featured prominently.
Favors, Prizes, and Gifts
Send guests home with new group photos and decorative frames. For gift ideas, suggest something from the family heritage, such as a blanket, photograph or saved baby toy.
Got a Baby Shower coming up? Try this idea for a party family and friends won't forget:
Baby Shower: Welcome to the Family Tree
-
For invitations, draw the family tree, add the new baby's leaf, and mail to guests.
-
Ask them to wear T-shirts with the family name on the back, and their connection to the new baby on the front.
-
Use a Balloon Time Helium Balloon Kit to decorate the room according to the gender of the baby, if known. Tie bouquets of blue or pink helium balloons here and there, and set out family heirlooms. Ask guests to bring their well-loved teddy bears and tie them to helium balloons.
-
Ask guests to bring their baby pictures, and then have everyone try to guess who's who.
-
Serve favorite family dishes and give the mother-to-be the recipes. Decorate a sheet cake to look like a tree, and then add guests' names, with the new baby's name in the center.
-
Take family pictures and send them home with frames for guests.
Penny Warner has more than 25 years of experience as an author and party planner. She has published more than 50 books, including 16 specific to parties. Additionally, Warner writes a weekly newspaper column on family life, penned a column for Sesame Street Parents magazine and has appeared on several regional and national TV morning programs. Her latest book, HOW TO HOST A KILLER PARTY, debuted in February 2010 from NAL/Penguin.
Balloon Time is the leading brand of consumer helium balloon kits in North America. Balloon Time kits feature a helium-filled tank, latex or foil balloons and ribbon, and are available at national retail chains, party goods and grocery stores nationwide.