Baby Shower Planning: Key Tips for an Unforgettable Baby Shower

Godh Bharai is an auspicious occasion to celebrate childbirth before the arrival of the little munchkin. It is celebrated all around India.

It has relevance since the time of the Mahabharata and Ramayana and also has its mentions in the Vedic texts. It is celebrated in many different cultures for the well-wishing of the mother and the baby.

The entire session is filled with prayers, turmeric sessions, heartfelt gifts, greetings, yummy treats, fun activities, dances, and laughter!

However, baby shower planning requires lots of pre-planning and preparations. This blog covers all the possible aspects of hosting one of the most amazing baby showers for the soon-to-be mother.

Let us now discuss some budget-friendly baby shower tips. In the end, you will also understand how to plan a baby shower at home in India.

I. Selecting The Ideal Date And Time: Because Timing Is Everything

Godh Bharai is usually held during the transition period from the second to the third trimester.

This is because the first trimester faces a high risk of sustaining a pregnancy. In the second trimester, the complications decrease due to the baby’s rapid and healthy development, followed by the third trimester, which supports a very stable stage.

Also, the visibility of pregnancy is more pronounced during the third trimester and is also considered stable and safe. Hence, this time is regarded as the best to host friends and families to share the good news that the “baby is just right around the corner!”

The date and time are decided by the priest, considering the auspiciousness of holding the baby shower.

Always consider consulting the mom-to-be before deciding on the date and time for the baby shower.

II. Crafting The Guest List: Because “Drama Is Optional”

It is one of the most important baby shower checklists for holding the event. This is an essential step to provide the soon-to-be mother with a positive environment for her to feel better.

This positivity of celebrating the good news requires a happy and friendly gathering that showers the expecting mother with a huge dopamine rush because she deserves it.

Hence, ask the mother-to-be to re-examine the guest checklist before releasing the final list to the respective gatherings.

How does it help?

The expectant mothers will always highlight her comforting people from whom she can receive all the emotional support, positive reinforcement, and confidence, and also reduced stress, which piles up, especially closer to the due date.

Witnessing her favorite people will help her cope with all the anxiety and stress that builds up during that time of pregnancy.

Also, ensure that the gathering includes all the possible close kin and friends.

Tip: Prevent overcrowding, be selective, and always confirm that the number of people is manageable according to your preparation.

III. Choosing A Theme And Decoration: Because Every Detail Counts!

Deciding on a theme for the Godh Bharai marks an additional fun twist to the entire function.

This can either be decided by the expectant mother herself or by the party planners in discussion with the family.

However, certain tips need to be mindfully adhered to while deciding on the baby shower theme, like:

1. Ensure to stick to the theme that aligns perfectly well with the family culture and value system.

Example: A family that is into books or loves floral arrangements could decide on either a “storybook theme” or a “floral theme.”.

2. The comfort of the mother and the gathering should be the topmost priority because the function could stretch for hours.

Example: Avoid themes that involve wearing high heels or fancy attire, which could look great in pictures but would make everyone uncomfortable after loads of dancing and activities.

3. Always choose a theme considering the space, seating, and accessibility to all the guests.

Example: The “Jungle Safari” theme could not be accommodated at a home baby shower but could be perfect in a large space and setting. The “Floral theme” could be perfect for a home setting.

4. Choose a simple color palette to provide a soothing experience while incorporating all the fun activities and meals with it. This is to maintain the consistency of the theme.

Example: Pastel colors, monochrome, dual colors, colorful, etc., could be perfect for an amazing experience.

Theme Ideas For Baby Shower

Tip: The theme could be decided according to the choice of the expectant mother to acknowledge her presence and dedicate the entire function to her!

1. Foodie Fiesta

Decorate the entire place with vibrant colors, food-themed tablecloths, colorful balloons, and food-related graphics all over the place.

Food: Incorporate different wheeled food stations like pani-puri, chaat, pizza, beverages, mocktails, etc.

Dress Code: Ask the guests to wear something colorful!

2. Baby-Q on Streets

This resonates with barbecue time. Try incorporating a sunny-side setup in a garden with comfortable seating and cute throw pillows for a relaxed picnic vibe.

Food: Include different stations like Baby Tandoor Corner, Seekh Kabab, Bhuna Bhutta station, and desi mocktails like lassi bar, Kulfis, etc., served in traditional brass trays and thali-style platters, giving a rustic yet elegant vibe.

Dress Code: Ask the guests to wear something quirky and colorful to add to the Baby-Q picnic vibe.

3. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Decorate the entire space with an Astro-space theme. Dark, starry, and soothing to the eyes.

Incorporate food stations that are in the shape of the stars, planets, spaceships, etc., serving desi-style food.

Dress Code: Ask the guests to dress up in fluorescent colors to glitter in the baby shower set-up!

4. Floral Dreams

This is the easiest theme, as it only requires different flowers and floral arrangements.

Food: Design the food stations with different flowers by choosing one flower for one food station. Also, prepare a floral-themed menu, floral rangoli, etc.

Dress Code: Ask the guests to come in floral attire.

These are some baby shower theme tips. However, you can also customize your theme by tapping your untapped creativity or just keep it simple!

IV. Planning The Menu: Because Yummy Treats Create Yummy Memories!

It is one of the most essential baby shower planning tips that encompasses all the possible dishes in the food menu for added comfort and fun.

Some of the tips to plan an amazing Godh Bharai session include:

• Have a “Mom-to-be Craving Station” serving all her favorite dishes to be tried by herself and the guests.
• Choose a diversified snack station, comprising a mix of various national and international options like mini samosas, veg cutlets, fruit salad, hummus with pita chips, etc.
• Include a “diet-conscious food station” comprising healthy alternatives like vegan, gluten-free, etc., dishes.
• Promote a diversified main course comprising both national and international flavors.
• Have a “DIY Food Station” to let the guests make their yummy treats. Examples: sandwiches, ice creams, beverages, etc.

 

Tip: Align the food stations and menu in sync with the theme of the party to maintain consistency with the theme.

V. Organizing Activities And Rituals: Because Laughter Is Essential

Every function or gathering is incomplete without fun activities and ice-breaking games for an enhanced bonding experience and fun-filled time!

Some ideas for an amazing, laughter-filled Godh Bharai session include:

• Try to incorporate at least one session of age-old games like Antakshari, dumb charades, bingo, etc.
• Initiate the ceremony with a family ritual, that is, a puja, coconut, blessing circle from well-wishers, etc.
• Encourage the gathering to participate in the “Talent Show.”
• Incorporate fun mom-to-be-themed games. Examples including Guess the Cravings, Baby Name Guessing, Diaper Changing Race, Swaddling Race, Blindfold Baby Food Guessing, Pregnancy Quiz, etc.

Tip: Incorporate a game that includes less chaos and more social interaction to forge an amazing Godh Bharai memory!

VI. Selecting Thoughtful Gifts: Because They Deserve It!

Everyone loves gifts, and the ones that follow the baby shower not only release dopamine and oxytocin but also serve as a practical collection for the soon-to-be-entering baby!

Here are some tips for baby shower guests' checklists to encourage them to choose the right gift.

• Prepare a gift registry to motivate the guests to choose one from the list. This will ensure the thoughtfulness of the present. Ex: Baby clothes, toys, diapers and wipes, rides, strollers, carry cots, rockers and bouncers, nursery decor, etc.
• Ensure budget-friendly baby shower tips for the gifts to be given to the guests to enhance their experience.
• Encourage the guests to even bring in personalized items like monogrammed blankets, name-engraved toys or swaddles, custom-made soft toys, etc.
• Make them understand practical gifts, no matter if given in groups. This would further help monetize the parents’ cost after the baby comes.
• Motivate the guests to even gift spa vouchers, relaxation kits, etc. for the mom-to-be for their dopamine-filled session.

Tip: Encourage the guests to bring in anything that might be either useful for parenting or for the mother’s mental, emotional, and physical relaxation.

VII. Capturing The Moments: Because It’s All About Memories!

Godh Bharai is filled with fun, colorful sights and sounds, vibrant decor, and laughter all around. Capturing the moments is the best way to sustain the memory of this eventful occasion.

Some tips for a memorable baby shower include:

• Have one theme-based cut-out photo booth for the guests to capture their pictures.
• Capture loads of random memories to make an unforgettable reel or a digital collage from it. This would also help hold onto the raw memories, besides the professional photo shoot.

Conclusion

A baby shower, or Godh Bharai, is an opportune time to receive numerous blessings from the people before the arrival of the baby.

In the old days, it was held in sync with the religious and cultural norms, but with time it has also received the touch of modern creativity and ethnicity.

This blog has tried to cover all the possible aspects of holding an amazing and memorable baby shower.