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  • Baby | Baby Shower and Gift Giving

  • Baby Gift Baskets ~ A Perfect Way to Show How Much You Care

  • When baby showers abound what can you give to that new mom that will be a unique gift for baby? The choices for baby and infant gift ideas are considerable but one of the best baby gifts that you can give is a gift basket. A gift basket is one present that comes in many varieties, themes and price ranges and can offer great baby shower ideas when it comes to unique baby shower gifts. A vast selection of baskets exists not only for baby and mom but there are even gift baskets for dads, siblings and specific baby shower themes. The diversity offered by gift baskets is never-ending. For baby you can give a diaper gift basket, baby necessities gift basket, baby bath time basket or an everlasting baby time capsule basket. Baskets for the mom-to-be can be made up of maternity clothes, morning sickness remedies, products to pamper her with or even a spa-time basket. Unique baby shower gifts that are helpful, practical and a little luxurious. But let’s not forget about dad either. He’s going to need something to help him cope with that new infant in his life too so how about a daddy diaper tool kit or a new parent survival gift basket? Pregnancy is an exciting time for a woman and her family. Whether you’re giving a gift for a new mom, soon-to-arrive baby or thinking of baby shower ideas, gift baskets make a great present. Baby gift baskets will provide many memorable and practical items for her and baby. With endless choices you too can find that truly magical gift for baby or new mom!
  • Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

  • Facts You Should Know About Baby Shower Etiquette

  • Whether you're hosting a baby shower for the first time or not, chances are you've got some questions regarding the right baby shower etiquette. You want to create a truly special time for the guest of honor without any unintended faux pas. This guide was specially created to help you do exactly that.

  • The Real Basics

    • Take the wishes of the mom-to-be into account at every stage. That includes the games, food, invitation list and all other aspects of the baby shower.
    • You can have baby showers either before or after the baby is born. Generally, they're held 1 or 2 months before due date. But they're also held after baby arrives because of medical or other reasons.
    • These days, it is perfectly ok for a close relative or even the couple themselves to host a shower. Those "rules" about only non-relatives hosting a baby shower are quite dated now.
    • Before deciding on the kind of baby shower you plan to have -- girls-only or coed, theme or no theme and so on -- consult mom-to-be and find out what she prefers.
    • Who can be invited? Generally, anyone the mom-to-be feels she should call. She's the best guide here.
    • Do you always need to send written baby shower invitations? It is usually the better choice. With a written invitation, guests have all details at their fingertips and need not rely on memory. Plus, you can (and usually should) include directions on how to get there.
    • At the same time, it is fine to just inform people on the phone. Do tell them well in advance, though. So they have enough time to buy gifts, arrange for a baby sitter, etc. And leave your contact numbers with them so they can reach you easily if they need any clarifications.
    • Can you hold a surprise shower? Sure. It can be a wonderful feeling for the expectant mother. But do consult someone close to her (mother, sister, etc) to know about her likely preferences in all areas.
  • Here's additional information on baby shower etiquette that'll help you host a truly great party.
    • Send out shower invitations at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance. Send them even earlier for out-of-town guests. Request an RSVP by a date 2 weeks before the baby shower.
    • If you're having a coed shower, you might turn the guys off if you send frilly baby pink invites full of baby talk. Stick to attractive, stylish invitations.
    • If you're planning a formal baby shower, avoid totally goofy games. At coed parties (or even at all-girl events), be wary of playing shower games that focus on expectant mom's tummy -- she may not be comfortable with them. Check with her about choices of games and ice-breaker activities.
    • Greet all guests at the door as they walk in, provide them with name tags (if there are many guests) and introduce them to others to get conversations going.
    • Lots of women have very different food preferences when they're pregnant as opposed to at other times. So do check with the guest of honor while finalizing the menu -- yes, every single item! She may have some ideas of her own about what baby shower food she prefers. Avoid foods are not recommended during pregnancy.
    • It's a real hassle for guests to eat a meal balancing their plate on their lap. Good shower etiquette demands that you provide sufficient tables so everyone can enjoy their meals. That way they don't have to worry about whether they're about to spill food on the floor!
    • Don't skimp on quantities of food. Sometimes a lot more may get consumed than you had bargained for! Same holds for baby shower favors, drinks, ice, etc -- having a little extra buys you peace of mind.
    • Register for gifts at only one place. Even if there are reasons like another store being closer to some guests. Else mom-to-be may end up with duplicate gifts she may have to return. And guests will be disappointed if they find that someone else has chosen the same gift they have.
    • While giving gift suggestions, include items at a variety of price points, not just high-ticket items. And do suggest that guests can get together to purchase higher priced items.
    • If there are older siblings, make sure they receive a gift each. They may already be feeling somewhat left out with a new baby on the way, so this is a great idea.
    • Irrespective of whether it's a coed baby shower or not, buy a gift especially for dad. He should feel that he was remembered too.
    • Record who gave each gift. Essential information when the time comes to send thank you cards! Sending thank you cards is essential baby shower etiquette.
    • Hand gifts to mom-to-be for her to open and take it from her once she's done with it. This will save her the hassle of continually getting up and moving about to pick up gifts.
    • Sometimes, some guests may need to leave early. They'll appreciate it if mom-to-be will open presents while everyone is eating.
    • Start the baby shower on time and keep it fairly short. Don't get bogged down in any one segment like games. Be sensitive to mom-to-be's energy level and any signs of fatigue she may show. End the party if she's beginning to feel run down. Walk guests to the door as they leave and be sure to thank them for coming.
    • Don't expect perfection. No party ever is perfect. There's always the unforeseen -- power goes off just as gifts are being opened, you forgot to dust one corner of the room; the pack of baby shower favors you opened just before the party turns out to be a different color than you ordered and so on. You can't control it all.

  • Special situations

  • You might have a friend or relative who just lost a baby, or is infertile despite all treatments. Should you call her for your baby shower? Attending may be a challenge for her. Being confronted with another's pregnancy may be difficult for her to bear. The rule in such situations is -- ask. Check with her and find out if she is up to attending the baby shower. Don't just send an invitation in the mail. On the other hand, don't presume that she can't come and not call her at all. If she's close to the mom-to-be, she may well want to come. Or at least, she may send her good wishes and a gift. But if she tells you that she can't make it, accept the situation with grace. Never hold it against her in any manner. Even if she said she would come and later backed out. Remember, it is probably one of the most difficult times she's ever had, so be generous and supportive. Once you've understood these simple baby shower etiquette guidelines, you'll be far more confident about hosting a baby shower. Have fun, and create a special time that will live on in everyone's memories!
  • Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

  • How to Host a Baby Shower

  • Are you ready to host the best baby shower ever but don't know where to start? Baby showers are fun, but planning one can be tedious. In this article we'll cover the basics to get you started. So who should host the baby shower? Traditionally, non-relatives are to host a baby shower -- co-workers, church groups, etc.; however, it has become more common and acceptable for mothers and sisters to host showers too. The important thing is that someone take the initiative to host the shower -- what a wonderful display of caring for a growing family and a special way to help welcome a new life into the world. It is also perfectly acceptable for more than one person to host a baby shower. It can be fun for a group of friends to share the responsibilities and excitement of planning and hosting this special event. When it comes to inviting guests, you likely have some idea of those you want to invite to the shower, but it is always a safe bet to run the guest list by the mom-to-be to ensure you haven't left anyone out. You can invite guests via a phone call or an e-mail (be sure they check their mail regularly!), but the written invitation is still the most preferable way to kick off a shower. You can even find baby shower ecard invitations online. Just do a simple search online and I'm sure you'll find one. No matter what type of invitation you use, be sure to include pertinent information -- whether it regards a theme, a note of where the mom-to-be has registered a map or written directions to the shower, or any special item you want the guests to bring for the mom. Showers are normally given a month or two before the mom's due date. It's a good idea to give the mom enough time following the shower to shop for items she didn't receive, yet wants to have before the baby arrives. And of course you don't want to hold the shower too close to baby's due date in case he or she makes an early arrival! Baby showers are normally held in the home of the hostess. If desired though, you can certainly host a shower at a church fellowship area, a favorite restaurant, or even at a banquet hall -- it really all depends on what atmosphere you are looking for and how much money you want to spend. If the shower will be held in a restaurant, make reservations at least two weeks prior to the date. At one- week prior, one of the organizers should speak with the manager to confirm the details. The shower should last around one and a half to two hours. Things may wind down early or they may likely continue on as guests chat together. There are many variations on showers, but we have devised a general "schedule" for baby showers. You can add/remove any part and re-order it to your liking.
    • Greet Guests - serve light appetizers
    • After all or almost all guests have arrived, go around the room and have each guest introduce themselves and identify how they know the mother-to-be.
    • Play 2-4 Shower Games. It is good to play games at the beginning as ice-breakers. Remember some guests may not know *anyone* but the mother-to-be.
    • Let everyone go get whatever food may be available and then once everyone has been served, the mother-to-be can begin to open her gifts. Be sure to have someone write down each gift and who it is from. It will make sending thank-you notes a lot easier.
    • People chat and usually leave a few at a time. Make sure the mother-to-be gets to say goodbye to everyone and the hostess thanks the person for attending. If the hostess has shower favors, they should give this to the guest now.
  • Article Source: http://www.SorryDarling.comBy D Williams

  • Baby Shower Themes for Your Special Baby Shower

  • Do you want to provide a baby shower that is great fun for guests, inviting and welcoming and also really relaxing for the mom-to-be? Read on about selecting and delivering a baby shower theme with confidence. The big question is should your baby shower have a theme at all? And this is really up to you as the host and to the mom-to-be. You may find creating a theme too much work or not the style of the mom-to-be, but having one can make the party seem more organized and more enjoyable for the guests. The use of a theme tends to improve your overall shower and adds a memorable touch for the guests. A theme will help focus attention on the event and provide a unifying factor which will pull the whole event together. Themes help set the general tone for the baby shower. The shower theme can have implications on the decorations you use, gifts given to the mom-to-be, and invitations sent out. Not all showers have themes, but they can be a lot of fun and especially great if there will be multiple showers or if this isn't the first baby. Information about the shower's theme should be included on the invitation and indeed shower themes are often based around the invitations. If you know that your shower is going to feature baby bottles, for example, you can look for bottle-shaped invitations and bottles to use for beverages or to fill with candy for game prizes. Even if the theme is as simple as a color scheme (for instance, blue and white if the parents already know it's a boy), it's a unifying element that can simplify your job. A theme can be carried from invitations through to decorations and guests will love it. An easy way to choose a theme is to shop for the party favors and essentials such as paper goods, plates and napkins first. You can then build a theme around the picture or print on the plates and so forth. This will always give your event a link back to the coordinating decorations. There are so many sources from which you can draw when choosing a theme for the baby shower. You may want to use an occupation, movie, cartoon character, hobby, romantic place, sport, song, poem, book title, historical era or decade, foreign country, childhood memory or brainstorm your own ideas. So as you can see it doesn’t necessarily have to be the traditional colors of pink or blue. Here are some theme recommendations from experienced baby shower planners and guests for ideas you might like to consider:

  • Nursery Colors

  • Use colors from the nursery for your theme. This option gives the flexibility to use any type of tableware, napkins, and decorations for the party. Because of this, it is the least expensive route. You don't need to buy decorations all in the same patterns. Why not decorate the shower with a touch of whimsy? Whether you adorn the shower with banners and yard signs, or have an elegant afternoon affair, pick ideas out of our hat of baby shower tricks and traditions.

  • Around the Clock Baby Shower Decorations

  • - The new baby will be nothing but the sun, moon, and stars to the new mom! Celebrate with celestial decorations. Cut giant moons and stars out of construction paper. If you can’t get silver paper, then cut out shapes on plain card and cover with silver kitchen foil. Punch holes in the top and hang from the ceiling with lengths of string at different levels to make the stars shine down on the guests.

  • Diaper Shower

  • For a second baby, consider a diaper shower. Ask each guest to bring only a package of diapers as a gift. Some guests may bring other gifts also, but Mom will end up with a mountain of diapers … something she'll really need! Items could also include anything associated with diapering such as wipes, ointment, powder, etc. A great gift idea is a diaper cake, which can be purchased at Seasons and Sentiments. Not only can it be used as a great gift, but it’s also useful and makes an adorable centerpiece!

  • Noah's Ark

  • Not only is the Noah's Ark theme prevalent in many nursery designs, but it is great for mothers expecting twins! Have your guests bring two of each gift and ensure that everything at the shower comes in pairs.

  • Shapes

  • Some parents may decide on shapes or even objects such as lemons, fish, cubes, circles and triangles to decorate their baby's nursery. Again, finding decorations and accessories for the shower that match this theme should prove beneficial and inexpensive. Guests could also be asked to bring gifts in keeping with the shape that is selected.
  • Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Seasons and Sentiments carries a large variety of personalized/engraved jewelry and gifts, as well as gift baskets for all seasons and sentiments throughout the year.

Our website features an online pictorial catalog as well as gift etiquette information.

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