When a friend's baby is due early in the New Year, people consider throwing a baby shower during the holiday season. However, this time of year can present many unique challenges. Here is a list of things to keep in mind, and a few ideas to make a holiday baby shower special.
First, when planning a baby shower during the holidays, you must remember that your guests will have very little time or extra money. The easiest way to help them over these hurdles is to plan far enough in advance. Giving your guests plenty of time to arrange their schedules so they can attend increases your odds of having a full house. Also, the guests can go ahead and purchase, or budget to purchase, their gift. Money is always tight during the holidays, but if the friends and family of the parents-to-be can buy their gifts months in advance, they can take advantage of fall sales and avoid the crush of holiday shoppers.
Next, you need to realize that the parents-to-be also will not have extra time. Holiday shopping is even harder when you are expecting! You will want to make the baby shower as stress-free as possible for the new family. This may mean offering to help with shopping or with organizing their plans. The easiest way is to help them combine their holiday greeting cards with their thank you notes from the baby shower. A general letter telling all about the fun of the shower and thanking everyone can be tucked in signed holiday cards. This will mean that the mother-to-be can skip a step on her holiday to-do list.
Also, you should remember that all of the guests will be attending numerous office and family holiday parties. The easiest way for the baby shower you are hosting to stand out in their memories is to make it low key. The party can be a chance for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves during the season without all of the pressure of most holiday events. Remember, if you relax and have fun, so will your guests.
Finally, you and the mother-to-be will need to decide if you wish to incorporate the holidays into the baby shower, or to make the shower different from the other festivities. There is no right or wrong choice, only a matter of preference. If you do decide to embrace the holiday season in the baby shower, then you should be sure to incorporate the parents-to-be's religious beliefs. This will be especially appreciated since, presumably, the child will be raised to hold those same beliefs.
Throwing a baby shower for a loved one during the holiday season can be stressful and challenging, but it can also be quite rewarding. Relatives and friends who might otherwise live too far to attend a baby shower may already be in town, and the parents-to-be will enjoy their presence. With some careful planning and a fun attitude, the Holiday Baby Shower will be an event all remember!