Baby Shower
Baby shower cakes
The baby shower is a party where friends and family come together to celebrate the soon-to-be birth of a new baby. New babies require huge amounts of stuff which can be quite expensive, especially if it is the couple’s first baby. For subsequent babies, much of the stuff can be recycled. The baby shower can take some of the financial pressure off the expectant parents as the baby shower guests will bring baby-related gifts.
The timing of the baby shower is discretionary; however, it is usually held later on in the pregnancy, often around four to six weeks before the baby is born. Later in the pregnancy is preferable because by then the mother will likely know the gender of her baby and gifts can be tailored to this. If the parents don’t wish to know or reveal the gender of their baby it is better to buy gender-neutral gifts. Also, by then the parents will know what they still haven’t bought for their new baby and gifts can be coordinated with this.
The baby shower is usually given by a friend or family member of the expectant mother, though they can plan the baby shower themselves. Or, if no friend or family member has offered to arrange the baby shower, the expectant mum can ask someone to do it. It is best if the person planning the baby shower puts together a list of baby items that the mother hasn’t yet purchased so the guests know what she needs and they can choose the items off the list that they would like to provide for the baby.
The guests invited to the baby shower are usually female friends and family of the expectant parents. The baby shower planner should always check the guest list with the expectant mother before sending out the invitations, there may be people on the list she would rather not invite. Traditionally the baby shower was an all-female event, however, recently babies’ fathers have become more involved and often men are invited to the baby shower. Again, this is one to check with the parents.
The choice of venue for the baby shower will depend on how many guests are invited. For smaller, more informal gatherings, a home setting is often the best option. It can be in the planner’s house or the expectant parent’s house. But if it is held in the expectant parent’s house it is important for the planner to arrange for some of the guests to stay behind and help clear up after the party has finished. For a larger number of guests, a venue may be preferable as they will provide the catering and there won’t be any clearing up to do at the end. If the weather is good and party games are planned a local park may be a fun choice for holding the baby shower. If you choose to hold the baby shower in a park setting the planner can provide the picnic or each guest can be asked to bring some food.
A cake is an essential part of the baby shower celebration. It can be a simple vanilla sponge cake or something more elaborate, a shaped cake or a tiered cake with different flavoured tiers. Cakes are essential for every celebration including wedding cakes, birthday cakes, engagement cakes, anniversary cakes, christening cakes etc.
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