Organizing a baby shower can feel like a monumental task, especially when you’re also juggling the responsibilities of parenthood. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the process without losing your mind—or your sense of humor.
1. Rise Early
Plan to wake up 2-3 hours before your guests arrive, though you might still find it insufficient. Expect the unexpected, such as your little one needing a diaper change just as you’re loading decorations into the car. Fingers crossed, it’s your child who needs it and not you in your favorite outfit.
2. Skip the Fabric Store
If you don’t naturally draw inspiration from your surroundings, don’t bother visiting a fabric store. Standing amidst bolts of fabric while your toddler shouts, “I wanna go home!” will likely lead to more stress than creativity.
3. Avoid Overplanning
Resist the urge to prepare multiple dishes at once. Trying to bake a quiche while changing a diaper and applying makeup could end in chaos rather than culinary triumph.
4. Practice Recipes Ahead of Time
Never attempt to cook a dish for the first time on the day of the event. Trust me, blowtorching 16 crème brûlées in a rush is not a recipe for success.
5. Keep Gift Wrapping Simple
Don’t stress over how you wrap gifts. Guests will be too busy counting down the minutes until they can leave to notice your quirky combination of birthday and wedding-themed wrapping paper. Just ensure your child doesn’t get their hands on the gift before it’s unveiled—nothing says “lovely present” quite like sticky fingerprints.
6. Mind Your Reading Choices
If you think reading “Go the F*** to Sleep” aloud might ruffle some feathers, you might want to reconsider. However, it’s also a chance to showcase your edgy side. Just don’t leave it lying around where your child might find it—trust me, explaining that it’s not about tigers will be awkward.
7. Delegate Wisely
Make sure to leverage your support system. Enlist your mom to whip up some decorations, and then bask in the compliments about how adorable they are.
8. Have a Guest List
Know who you’re inviting and how many will attend. This will save you from awkward moments in the bathroom desperately checking your Evite. Consider name tags to avoid the embarrassing situation of mixing up names—nobody wants to play the “who’s who” guessing game.
9. Laugh Off Awkward Moments
Be prepared for cringeworthy exchanges. For example, when a guest innocently asks, “When are you due?” and you have to clarify that you’re not the expecting one. It’s all part of the fun!
10. Skip the Games
Unless you have a knack for creating engaging activities, it’s best to forgo shower games entirely. Sometimes, less is more.
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In summary, throwing a baby shower while managing your own child can be a daunting yet rewarding experience. With a little preparation, humor, and delegation, you can pull it off without too much stress.