Baby Shower Hosting 101
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, only 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 appetizersAfter 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.For more information on hosting baby showers, visit http://www.danasgiftbasketexpress.com or send a blank email to babydiapercakes@sendfree.com for a Free Guide to Hosting the Perfect Baby Shower..
Dana Williams is the owner of Dana's Gift Basket Express, an online gift shop specializing in unique baby shower gifts for baby and mother. Need more baby shower hosting tips and ideas? Learn how to make your own baby shower favors, go to http://www.danasgiftbasketexpress.com .5 Ways To Get Back On Track With Your New Year's Resolutions
1. Keep your eyes on the prize. Don't focus on how hard it is to change or improve. Keep a laser-beam focus on how your life will be better once you achieve the desired change.2. Ask yourself, "What do I need to do differently?" It will help you identify obstacles much more quickly than asking, "What's wrong with me?" 3.
Mix it up. Do resolutions at different times of the year, not just New Year's. Your birthday and key anniversary dates are good times to examine your life to see which areas need extra attention.4. Don't give up. Too many people call it quits far too soon.
There are thousands of hours left in the year -- more than enough time to make terrific progress.5. Have fun with them. What could be more enjoyable than making positive changes in your life? Remember: resolutions are a gift you give yourself to achieve the life you want.6. Work with a success partner. Find a friend or relative who is working on a goal of their own.
Call or email each other once...
5 Ways To Get Back On Track With Your New Year's Resolutions
Birthday invitations > 5 Ways To Get Back On Track With Your New Year's Resolutions
Volunteers - Tips to Motivate Them
"Volunteers, like employees (and children), need proper guidance and training in order for them to be a success in their job." Heidi Richards Recruiting volunteers is only half the challenge in any endeavor. You must properly train them so they will work out to be true assets. As we help volunteers recognize the rewards of their service, we must also acknowledge that there may be a downside. Volunteering takes time away from the family or personal pursuits. Good leaders" tell it like it is," being careful not to understate what is expected.
Let your volunteers know up front exactly what is involved in their tasks and what is expected of them, and they will appreciate you for it. Personal contact is the key to more effective recruiting. While volunteers will respond to public invitations such as media announcements and ads, they respond more easily to personal invitations to become involved. Be careful that the persons being recruited are the right fit and not just saying yes to...
Volunteers - Tips to Motivate Them
Birthday invitations > Volunteers - Tips to Motivate Them
Fun & Easy Halloween Party Themes and Ideas
Halloween is the day of the year that has the most parties thrown in its honor. Everyone loves to dress up and attend Halloween parties with their friends. Most people end up getting several invitations to different Halloween parties that are often on the same night. If you are planning to throw your own Halloween party, how can you get all your friends to head to your shindig and not someone else's? You need to come up with some unique and fun ideas that will get everyone on your list so excited about your party they won't even consider going anywhere else.Not Just Any Old ThemeMany people don't bother thinking of a theme for their Halloween party since it seems to be somewhat of a theme already. But rather than just putting up some Happy Halloween banners and fake cobwebs, why not come up with a great theme party idea? You can do anything from a haunted house or graveyard to a monster mash or horror movie bash.
Once you've chosen your theme apply it to everything from your invitations...
Fun & Easy Halloween Party Themes and Ideas
Birthday invitations > Fun & Easy Halloween Party Themes and Ideas
Fun & Easy Halloween Party Themes and Ideas
Halloween is the day of the year that has the most parties thrown in its honor. Everyone loves to dress up and attend Halloween parties with their friends. Most people end up getting several invitations to different Halloween parties that are often on the same night. If you are planning to throw your own Halloween party, how can you get all your friends to head to your shindig and not someone else's? You need to come up with some unique and fun ideas that will get everyone on your list so excited about your party they won't even consider going anywhere else.Not Just Any Old ThemeMany people don't bother thinking of a theme for their Halloween party since it seems to be somewhat of a theme already. But rather than just putting up some Happy Halloween banners and fake cobwebs, why not come up with a great theme party idea? You can do anything from a haunted house or graveyard to a monster mash or horror movie bash.
Once you've chosen your theme apply it to everything from your invitations...
Fun & Easy Halloween Party Themes and Ideas
Birthday invitations > Fun & Easy Halloween Party Themes and Ideas
See the Birthday of Britney Spears & Other 1980s Star Babies
The 1980s was a glorious decade to say the least. This decade initiated great cultural and technological advances which still are shaping the world in which we live today. Companies launched in this decade include CNN, MTV, USA Today, and technology unleashed in this decade were the video recorder, personal computer, compact discs, satellite dishes and the grandaddy of video games today - Pac-Man. Meanwhile, in the rest of the country, babies were nursing, beggining to crawl, walk or talk. These were no ordinary babies - but Star Babies.
Of course at the time they were oblivious to their potential and the influence that they would later have on the lives of all of us. What made these Star Babies different from all the other children who share the same birthdates? Was it destiny, luck, hard work or a combination of all of these? You decide - meanwhile here are the birthdays of the top young stars of the early 1980s. YOUNG STARS BORN 1980 - 1982BORN IN 19801. Ashanti ( Douglas ...
See the Birthday of Britney Spears & Other 1980s Star Babies
Birthday invitations > See the Birthday of Britney Spears & Other 1980s Star Babies
Easy and Inexpensive Hostess Gifts
In days gone by,it was considered impolite to go to someone's house for dinner or a party and not take a small gift for the hostess (or the host!). The gift didn't have to be anything "special" or very expensive, just something that said "Thank you" to your hostess. It can be very easy, and not at all expensive, to renew that happy custom. And speaking from personal experience, it is so much fun to watch her face when you hand her a little gift! Keep Gift Items on HandIt is relatively simple to keep a few things on hand that make nice little gifts. You don't need to spend a fortune either---and here's how you do it:Buy trial-sized items! You can find hand lotions, small bottles of spray perfume, bars of moisturizing soap, etc.
I've even found very small bottles and tubes of bath gel, body lotion, and after-bath spray all in the same scent---these make a perfect hostess gift set!Look for 2-for, 3-for, and 4-for sales! I watch for sales and coupons, especially BOGO (Buy One, Get...
Easy and Inexpensive Hostess Gifts
Birthday invitations > Easy and Inexpensive Hostess Gifts