Baby Shower Preparation: A Complete Guide

Why is a Baby Shower Arranged?

A baby shower function is celebrated to herald the arrival of the little one into the world. It is a special day for the mom-to-be, as the entire day is about her. She receives blessings from the elders in her family and wishes from her friends on this beautiful day. This is a day when the positive vibes from religious rituals, blessings and wishes from everyone reach the mother and prepare her for a healthy delivery.

Some families follow the Indian culture while hosting this function, whereas others follow the Western theme. Irrespective of the theme, the priority of the function should always be the future mom’s comfort and happiness.

How is it Celebrated?

Tis depends on the type of culture followed in the function. In the Indian culture, the mom-to-be sits comfortably in a chair. Her hair is oiled, and she wears a new saree and jewellery. In South India, all the elderly women apply sandalwood and kumkum paste on the future mom’s face and make her wear glass bangles in different colours. In other regions, as per the Godh Bharai meaning, the future mom’s lap is filled with gifts like sweets, fruits, and more for the prosperity of the unborn child.

When to celebrate it?

The baby shower function is usually celebrated when a woman shifts into her third trimester. Usually, the function is held in the 7th, 8th, or 9th month of pregnancy, depending on the circumstances and customs followed in certain regions.

Baby Shower Preparation Checklist

You should decide on the date of the baby shower function at least a month in advance so you can plan well for the same. Once you have set the date, get your family members together to finalise the guest list. This is very important, as you can only plan for food and accommodation arrangements when this list is finalised.

You can also brainstorm and come up with different ideas on the theme of the function – Indian culture, western culture, or a blend of both. Plan for games to keep the mom-to-be and guests comfortable and entertained. Select a venue with enough place for these games and religious rituals (if you have planned for them). Finalise the food menu, and you are good to go!

Tips to Make it Enjoyable

Here are some tips to ensure your baby shower function keeps everyone entertained and engaged —

• Focus on the future mom’s comfort always. She should take enough rest before, during, and after the ceremony to prevent any health risks.

• Choose an airy venue and ensure that the mom-to-be has a seat placed next to her so she can rest if she cannot stand for too long.

• Ensure that the mom-to-be dresses up in comfortable attire, irrespective of the function’s theme. Choose a lightweight saree with simple designs so she can carry it well throughout the day. In the case of Western-style celebrations, choose a flowy gown that doesn’t hold too tightly at the waist.

• The decorations should be pleasing and not over-the-top.

• Include personal titbits from the future mom’s childhood when planning for games to make the function memorable for her.

• Ensure that the food menu contains many healthy options in the form of fruits, salads, fresh juices, and more.

• Plan for interesting return gifts, like a rose sapling, for guests to bring a creative touch to the function.