Baby showers – parties where friends of the mum-to-be get together and traditionally bring pressies for the baby – are an American import that’s fast taking off over here.

They’re usually organised by a friend or relative of the mum-to-be and are traditionally held a couple of months before the baby is due.

You can make the shower as big or low-key as the mum-to-be likes – go with her preferences.

Baby showers are usually held at home: yours, the mum-to-be’s or at a friend or relative’s – you could have a brunch, lunch or teatime shower or get together with a pizza and DVD for a girls/girls and boys night in. Or if mum-to-be wants to go out, splash out on a posh lunch or tea somewhere special – it could be the last time she gets to go out with her mates for a while.

Give your shower a different angle by making it an occasion to treat the mum-to-be: all eyes will be on the baby once she or he is born.

What to do

• Ask the mum-to-be who she’d like to invite, send the invitations and chase the rsvps
• Get in the nibbles and refreshments (check what the mum-to-be wants/can or can’t eat)
• Have a giggle playing party games – see our ideas below
• Make it a makeover party
• Ask the mum-to-be what gifts she’d like
• Download some background sounds to the shower
• You could go to town and give out prizes/goodie bags to all the guests. They don’t have to be expensive – you could even fill them with everyone’s favourite sweets: why should kids have all the fun?!

Baby shower party games

• Memory game: arrange about 15 items – they could be baby related, something to do with the mum-to-be, or random comedy items – on a tray. Everyone has a good look at what’s on the tray before it’s covered up, then has to write down everything they can remember.
• Guess who: ask each guest to bring a picture/s of themself as a baby along to the shower. Stick them up on a board and get everyone to guess who they think each baby grew up to be.
• Luck of the draw: make a list of baby-themed, mum-themed or risqué words or phrases that each guest has to draw in a set time for everyone else to guess (like Pictionary).
• Mum-to-be piñata: fill a big piñata (a brightly-coloured papier-mâché or cardboard container) with goodies for the mum-to-be and guests: everyone gets to have a bash – very therapeutic.
• Mum and baby songs: everyone has to think of as many pop songs as they can with the word mum, mama, baby in them, or depending on your mood, extend it to any songs to do with making babies. If someone comes up with a song title no one recognises, they have to sing part of the song for it to count. This could segue nicely into a karaoke session if you have a karaoke DVD.

A pampering baby shower

Every girl needs pampering. And once the baby’s born all attention will be on the newborn so indulge the mum-to-be to make up for it by organising a ‘bring your bathrobe’ pamper shower. Depending on your budget, you could splash out on a mobile beautician/manicurist to come and give everyone a treatment. Or club together to buy some beauty treats such as face masks, hand or foot treatments, eyeshadows, blushers, nail varnish or lipsticks that everyone can try. Get in a dvd for everyone to relax and watch or put on the mum-to-be’s favourite tracks as backing music while the face packs etc do their job.

Baby shower gift ideas

Ask the mum-to-be if she’s happy having baby gifts before the birth. If not, choose a gift voucher or buy things for her such as pampering treats, edible goodies or a voucher for music downloads.

If she’s happy having baby gifts, ask for her ‘most wanted’ list. Give a copy to each guest and check off what each of you buys so that there are no duplicates. If you don’t want to ask, here are a few practical ideas that will help make life for the new mum a little easier:

• A big basket of nappies in newborn/small size will mean one less essential to buy. Choose a smart box or basket to present them in, which can be used again too. If you are unsure of which to buy, give a voucher for a store that sells nappies or a company that makes resuables.
• Nursery essentials – club together and fill a large hamper with nursery basics such as wipes, cotton wool, baby skin cream, nappy rash cream, breast pads for mum, muslin cloths, flannelette sheets and cellular blankets. As a special touch, you could also add a baby memory book for mum to fill in, some mum pampering treats, or some books for the new baby to enjoy when they’re older.
   
• Not-newborn-size clothes – babies grow so fast that those adorably tiny newborn outfits will barely be worn before they’re too small. Choose babygros and vests in the next size up, or beyond, so that the newborn has some new clothes as he or she grows.
• Gift vouchers –not thrilling, but will be well appreciated. Choose vouchers for online stores to make shopping even easier. Give vouchers for department stores with good nursery sections, high street baby stores or even online digital photo services for downloading, printing and displaying all those new baby pictures.