The Best Baby Shower Ideas

By this point in pregnancy, most mamas will either have already had their baby shower or they aren't planning to have one at all. I fall into the last category. With my first baby, I had two showers. A cousin arranged for lunch at a local restaurant during a family reunion and it was very low-key. No embarrassing games of "how much does mommy weigh?" or "how long do you predict mom will be in labor?" (That last one just opened up discussions on parts of the poor mother's body that only her nurses and physician should really have had any concern about. Any sentence at a baby shower that begins with "how many centimeters..." is probably better left unspoken. Just saying...) This lunch date shower was my kind of shower. The shower my friend arranged was more of a traditional-type shower; and, while appreciated, was far less my kind of party. And that was the extent of all the baby shower I ever need in my life.

I am pretty introverted and HATE being the center of attention. Especially while I'm pregnant. While lots of people see baby bumps and think "oh, how cute" (which is what I think about other women's bumps), I see my bump and think about the new stretch marks, incessant heartburn and the extra weight I'm going to have to deal with in a swimsuit this summer. Hot mama with a flappy muffin top and varicose veins...? Shudder with me, will you? I don't need an entire party that points out I'm so huge I look like I'm "going to pop". I'm not a balloon - regardless of how bloated and swollen I am. And the whole belly rub... ugh, biggest pet peeve EVER! It's a baby, not a puppy and I'm not furry with a tail and whiskers. Quit petting me! Ironically enough, my momma is the biggest offender here; but, I can't really say anything to her, right? Maybe she liked the attention when she was pregnant? My favorite is the "how are you feeling?" Uh, seriously? "Well, I've been extra gassy lately, my hips feel like they are being pulled in opposite directions by those guys that compete in Strongest Man competitions by pulling semi-trucks and I swear there's a bowling ball sitting on my pelvic floor (except that might not be the term I'd actually use...)." The horrified look would be priceless, but I will have to deal with these people at some point post-pregnancy and I'd rather not have to make a to-do list of apologies. But they asked... right?!

My sister-in-law's baby shower had games like cut off a ribbon for how big around you think mom is, guess how many pounds mommy's gained, and decorate a bib with these markers that don't wash out of anything ever at a house (or church building, as was the case) that I'm going to have to help clean up at some point. Uhm, really, really not my kind of baby shower. Awwwwk-ward! I don't flaunt my bump. In fact, I try to see how long people are too afraid to ask when I'm due or if it's just a few too many candy bars and bags of marshmallows. It's just there. Please ignore it until it goes away.

So, sorry for the rant; but, here's a few no-fail baby shower ideas, ones that party-goers and the guest of honor will all enjoy. Whether your guest of honor loves the attention or would rather not have the entire room staring at her abdomen with 'oh-isn't-that-precious' smiles. I tried to avoid any particular theme or gender. These, for the most part, should be adaptable to any kind of shower. They are in random order.

GAMES & ACTIVITES:

Name That Baby

Don't Say Baby Game via At the D Spot

Price is Right Game via Just Jenn Rants

Candy Match Baby Shower Game via Paper Etiquette on Etsy

Baby Shower Bingo via Frugal Fanatic

Delivery Date Prediction Calendar at While Wearing Heels This one I can get behind because the due date is marked and that's all the info everyone gets. No stats from Mommy-to-be's last OB appointment, no wive's tales, nothing.

Nursery Rhyme Quiz via Green Dot Designs on Etsy

Wishes for Baby via Stockberry Studio on Etsy

Baby Stats Predictions via SL Design Team on Etsy
GUEST BOOKS:

Autograph Onesie Guest "Book" via Life and Baby

Personalized Balloon Guest "Book" via Say Anything Design on Etsy


PRIZES:

From My Shower to Your Shower Baby Rattle Bath Pouf via Kristin's Whimsy on Etsy


I also saw a prize pack that included travel sized shower gels, bubble bath and a loofah, but couldn't find the original photo source so it's not included. Definitely a cute idea though.

OTHERS:

"Bring a book instead of a card" via Moments That Take
This isn't a new idea, it's been around for years and popular especially in the last few; however, I really liked the wording of this request. Of all the ones I read, this is probably the one I'd actually get a book for. Although, I also liked the wording of this request via Cupid Designs on Etsy, stating the book didn't have to be new.

BaBy-Que Shower (invite via Kate's Prinables on Etsy)
No reason Dad shouldn't get to party too...

This post was written by Krista and originally appeared on While He Was Napping.

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