When you’re throwing a shower, the best way to take the pressure off is to make a good pre-party checklist. Make sure to cover every detail from beginning to end. If necessary, make a list for each day while preparing for the event. With a well thought out plan, you’ll have plenty of time to arrange for extra help and to borrow or rent whatever you need. Here are steps that will help you with your planning:

1) Guests: Consult with the new mother or new parents to ensure a complete guest list.
2) Time: Select the day and hour of your shower while you’re clearing the guest list. Make sure most guests can attend.
3) Browse around online for ideas on shower themes. Of course we recommend baby footprint themes!
4) Location: Pick a location that will accommodate the number of potential guests and that will work well with your theme.
5) Invitations: Invitations may be purchased or handmade (and example of handmade invitations would be baby footprint invitations) Mail them to arrive at least four weeks before the shower date. Make sure to include: the person the shower is for, the date, the time, the place, the kind (theme), where the parents are registered, who the party is given by and RSVP info.
6) Food: Decide who will prepare the food- you, caterer, your guests or someone else. If you are having someone else prepare the food make sure there is a clear understanding of exactly what is needed and what the cost is. If you will be doing it make sure to plan efficiently Make a shopping list from your recipes and do as much as you can ahead of time. Also plan your silverware, plates serving dishes, cups and so on.
7) Decorations: Choose decorations that will give your shower area a festive look. Include favors, name tags and place cards.  Make them cute and creative.  For example you could trail the borders with baby footprint stamps. Browse online, through party, gift and stationery stores for more ideas.
8 ) Games: Plan your games and collect the equip you’ll need. (pens, pencils paper etc) There are shower game books with ideas and actual game sheets.
9) Activities: Buy or make the props you’ll need (like passing around a baby footprint frame for everyone to sign).
10) Plan or arrange any added attractions. If you’re bringing in live entertainment you’ll need to clear your date with the act far in advance.