Gathering to celebrate the impending arrival of a friend or loved one's baby is a truly wonderful occasion.
As well as reminding you of the bond you share with the ladies in your life, it's also a reassuring moment for the mum-to-be as they realise how much love and support is available to them as they begin a life-changing new chapter in their lives.
And while sitcoms and Pinterest pages would have you think these celebrations tend to organise themselves and go off without a hitch, it's important to remember that it's important to strike the right balance on this occasion,
If you are responsible for planning one of these beautiful events, be sure to keep the following in mind so that the new mummy remembers the celebrations for all the right reasons!
1. Do keep it simple
Baby showers tend to be held during the final leg of a woman's nine-month journey so don't go over the top when planning activities and events for the big day.
It goes without saying that the mum-to-be should be the focus of attention, so if she looks like she's wilting at any point during the proceedings, simply rein in the celebrations and take your cues from the woman of the hour.
2. Don't overdo the guest list
Making small talk with someone you don't know very well can be difficult at the best of times, but when you're in your third trimester and forced to suffer through conversation with a friend of your mum's simply because they were free to join the party can be torturous.
Baby showers work best as intimate gatherings, so make sure your guest list is reserved for people the mum-to-be would happily spend time with on a desert island.
3. Do be mindful of the party food
As we all know, pregnant women can develop extreme aversions to certain foodgroups and they are, most importantly, subject to change.
So, while you may think you have all the boxes ticked when it comes to your pal's pregnancy food list, it's a good idea to double check in the days leading up to the big event so as to prevent against green faces and bad memories.
4. Do keep games to a minimum
While games certainly liven up any party, they also require energy, interest and the enthusiasm of the entire group.
Nothing can make a party fall flat quicker than a distinct lack of vigour when participating in a version of Pin the Tail on the Baby, so while it's certainly a good idea to have a few games in mind, do not rely on these activities to carry your entire party.
5. Don't forget your camera
Yes, we know that these days you can take a photo at the drop of a hat with your trusty smartphonee, but there's a lot to be said for rocking up with a bag of disposables and letting your guests take a trip down memory lane.
Without the option of deleting photos and retouching images, you and your guests will be captured exactly as you are and exactly how you should be!
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