Baby shower ideas :)

I am about to start planning my baby shower and I'm looking for some ideas. A friend of mine is organising most of it for me, but I would like to help too. I just want it to be casual, nothing too fancy. We are having possibly a light lunch and cakes (decorative cupcakes!) I am not big on cheesy games or a schedule of events or anything like that.

Oh and also, I am going to make a list of suggestions for presents because i don't want a registry for baby bunting (far too expensive) and I already have a bit of stuff. But seeing as this is my first I have no clue about all the things I will even need! So any suggestions on what I will need would be great :)

Just subbing to steal some ideas for mine too :)

Whatever you do, make sure you open the presents at the party... I went to a shower recently where the girl got up after two hours and said she was going to open the presents later with her DH of we didn't mind... The silence was telling..... If DH wants to be involved in the unwrapping he needs to stay at the party.... The whole point is to see the presents :)

and I'd be hesitant about being too prescriptive on what people should buy, if you leave it open a bit you might get some lovely things you didn't know about or know you would need. And If you put suggestions you might end up with lots of the same thing.... But totally your call of course....!

The corny games might be more fun than you think btw :)

Been to some great parties with awesome baby themed food which is always a winner :)

Yeah you gotta have at least one baby shower with cheesy games!! Also I reckon those invites that suggest a present are a little off putting and come across as rude.

Will the RSVPs be to your friend? If so maybe give her the list of suggestions and then when someone RSVPs and asks her what you might like, she'd have a list to go off and she can tell each person that asks one or two different things on the list.

Not sure what you already have but I'd suggest getting a swing if you don't already have one. Both my bubs have loved the swing :) They can be exxy though so that's not something I'd put on the list.

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Will the RSVPs be to your friend? If so maybe give her the list of suggestions and then when someone RSVPs and asks her what you might like, she'd have a list to go off and she can tell each person that asks one or two different things on the list.

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This is sort of what we have done. My sister and I hand made some lovely invited with mums phone number for regrets only. She knows the small things that I still need for bub so when people ask she can just suggest those things. It's things like singlets, burping cloths, change table supplies etc just little things so people don't feel put out.
We also aren't having games. I have been to baby showers and although it's great to see the mum to be having a fun time, it's not my thing. So we are just having a food and wine afternoon with family and about 2 friends. We are also doing a little lolly bag equivalent for everyone since there is no games to win a little something. It will probably just have some chocolate and a nice hand lotion or something similar and a little thankyou poem.

Thanks for your suggestions ladies :)
I am only putting present ideas because everyone is asking me what i want/need. But I don't even know! :lol: I have all the big stuff, just need small things I guess.

Then it doesn't matter what you get, so tell people "I just need little stuff, so get whatever you like!!" :) Don't feel pressure to give people an answer. I always think when people ask "what do you want?" It puts so much pressure, cause its like asking for a present!! And while I guess a baby shower is exactly that.... It's even more about celebrating this new life, without having the little one there to steal all the glory :)

I always view a baby shower as an opportunity to buy a gift that's a bit special - not that you'd perhaps justify spending money on yourself as the mum- rather than practical presents. Like an more expensive little outfit, baby shes or fancy organic baby products, etc. So I am saying that why....uh yeah, because I'd rather not have a list but like to pick something special myself.
To me, baby showers are about fun, not about getting stuff you need necessarily (not saying you are either btw)!

But back to your question,I think great baby themed food is AWESOME!!

With my first I gave my mum some suggestions and if someone asked her then she could give them some ideas which was helpful.

With food I got a platter from Leonard's chicken shop. And then had nibblies and a friend made baby cupcake's

OOOh pinterest! So many cute ideas on there!!! Unless you specifically want something I wouldn't worry about giving people an idea of what to get - I wanted a Grobag and got 2 of those from family but everything else was what people wanted to get us! Was much more fun not knowing what they were getting!

Other game things that you could do that are not too silly or gimmicky is a little tips for mum book where people write little handy hints for you and also have seen printed out slips with things like Dreams for Baby and they write things like I hope you get.. I hope you love... I hope you never forget... etc. they are cute and can be kept and bound for bub in a memory box.
Have fun planning!

I think it is more that people don't want to double up on presents. I have been given boxes and boxes of clothes, so many clothes! I am meeting with a friend to organise it this week. I would be happy to have ALL cakes :lol: it's all I have been eating!! Oh the shame.
Tanstar I did see that game on a website last night, thought it was a great idea.

Let the planning begin :)

I went to a baby shower recently where a specific list of items was included with the invite (including a baby monitor!). I did find it a bit off putting, I would have rather a comment along the lines of "contact x for present ideas". I got her something that wasn't on the list.

On the day she ended up with some doubles. She even went and bought some of the things on the list already herself prior to the shower so I thought that was odd. Anyway I digress - all for present suggestions but maybe not an actual list in the invite. And as mentioned many people may want to get you something special anyway that you may not have thought of.

Enjoy your shower!

Books is a great suggestion to give. You will really appreciate them as your little one gets older, you can read to them from birth, and it is great for friends to think of what their favourite books were as kids.

Some great ideas :)
I have just been googling and I think I am more excited about the food ideas than anything else! So far i have:

Fancy ribbon sandwiches
Rainbow fruit skewers (pic looked amazing!)
Cupcakes (oh, the possibilities)
Some kind of pastry filo like spinach and ricotta

Oh yum I'm so hungry right now...