Congratulations! You are planning a baby shower and helping to prepare for the arrival of a brand new little one! This is an exciting time, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. It’s important to consider the time commitment and logistics involved. Here are a few tips to help make the baby shower planning go smoothly.

Select a Date
Worried about finding a date that is suitable for everyone? Don’t be! Your guest of honor will want everyone to be in attendance; planning in advance and around the arrival date will help you select an appropriate timeframe. Not only will you avoid any last minute conflicts, but you’ll also have plenty of time to shop for the perfect gift. Most baby showers are planned for the third trimester. As a rule of thumb, schedule the baby shower between 6-8 weeks before the baby is born. 

Select a Time
Now that you’ve selected a date, it’s time to pick a time! Afternoon baby showers are the most common, but you can also have a successful morning or evening event. Make sure to factor in the time needed to get ready, and plan for about an hour. Remember, you don’t want the shower to run too long or the guests will start to feel rushed. If you want to go with what is most common, aim for a 2:00 pm start time and plan for about two hours of party time.

Choose Your Venue
Choosing the perfect venue for your baby shower is key to success. There are a lot of options out there, so feel free to shop around. If you want to keep it simple, leave it up to our team! Whether you are interested in an intimate home-style shower or want to throw a glamorous affair, we can help you choose the perfect setting at The Club at 12 Oaks. We have both indoor and outdoor spaces that can accommodate up to 200 guests. 

Choose a Menu
When it comes to the menu, you have a few options. Our most popular choice is our Deli Express Buffet with a variety of cheeses, meats, and salads. A close second is our Heavy Hors D’oeuvres Menu which offers bite-sized items served cold or hot. If you have something else in mind, our talented culinary team can prepare nearly any dish that you desire. 

If you’re looking to offer alcoholic beverages at the event, we offer a mom-osa bar, complete with assorted juices, fruit, and champagne. If you’re planning a morning event, we offer a gourmet Spike Your Coffee Bar and evening events often select a martini bar as an added enhancement.

Send Your Invitations & Final Head Counts
There are several ways to send out invitations. One of the easiest ways to get the word out is by email. What used to be a faux-pas is now trendy and efficient. Of course, you may opt for the more traditional snail mail. Regardless which one you choose, it is recommended that you send them out four weeks before your shower. This will allow enough time for your guests to make a note in their calendar and block off the day. 

Final headcounts are very important when planning your shower. There is always one guest that won’t RSVP by your deadline. It is best to check in with those guests a week or two before your event to ensure your venue is prepared for the correct amount of people at your shower. 

Choose Your Theme
Choosing a cute theme for your baby shower will elevate the room and impress your guests. We recommend selecting your theme early in the planning process since the style of your shower will influence your invitations, activities, decorations, centerpieces, favors, and even desserts. You can even choose to DIY elements of the shower if you are on a budget. Some of the popular themes that we have seen here are teddy bears, bumble bees, baby animals, and rubber ducks. Your baby shower doesn’t need to have a theme. Using pastel colors with baby décor is just as effective. If you’re looking for a gender-neutral option, choose a variety of neutral colors. Ask your coordinator to show you some previous baby showers held at our venue to get inspired!

Plan Some Activities
Baby shower activities are a super fun way to keep your guests entertained! We have seen lots of funny and creative games in the past years. Some of these include Guess the Baby Food, Guess the Amount of Candy, Guess the Due Date, Baby Shower Word Scramble, Guess the Baby Bump Size, and so much more! Don’t forget to think of prizes for the guests who win! If you are allowing kids to attend the shower, a kids craft table is a great way to keep them entertained!

Our professional staff is here to make sure your event runs perfectly, so don’t hesitate to ask us any questions. When you’re ready to get started, reach out to our team today at catering@heathrowcc.com.