Once you have chosen your baby shower theme and drawn up a guest list, the next step in planning a baby shower is the baby shower invitations.
What to Include on Your Baby Shower Invitations
First things first. There are several important snippets of information that are essential for all baby shower invitations and too often overlooked or accidentally omitted. Be sure to include all of the following:
- Name of mum-to be and host(s)
- Gender of baby (if known)
- Time and date
- Location and directions
- RSVP details, including phone number
- Gift registry details (if applicable)
- Theme information, including game and costume instructions
The rest of the baby shower invitation is up to you, as long as it is in line with the theme you have chosen. Many people like to include a photograph of mum-to-be, while others like to include a short poem or a verse.
Types of Baby Shower Invitation to Consider
There are several companies who provide excellent baby shower invitation templates. All you need to do is fill in the relevant fields and they’ll do the rest. The main advantage of choosing this route is that it can save you a considerable amount of time and money. The main drawback is that it removes the personal touch that shines through on invitations designed specifically for your party. A happy compromise is to hand-write each invitation on a printed template. This provides a personal touch while removing the time and cost associated with design. No matter which route you decide to take, be sure to order plenty of extra invitations just in case.
Another way to save time and expensive print cost is to use digital baby shower invitations. Email invites are fast and convenient, as is using social networking sites such as Facebook. While these avenues are convenient and environmentally friendly, they are not personal. Baby shower participants like to receive tangible invitations in the post. They can then use these invitations as reminders or even keepsakes. With that in mind, we recommend using email and other digital avenues alongside more traditional invitations. Emails are great for reminders, while a Facebook event can help you track exactly who is attending.
When to Send Out Your Baby Shower Invitations
Baby shower invitations should be sent out approximately four weeks before the event. Any later and there is a good chance that several guests will have already made plans; any earlier and there is a chance they will forget.
The baby shower itself should take place about the five or six month mark of pregnancy. At this stage mum-to-be should be showing a nice bump and feeling good. Don’t leave things too late as mum may be uncomfortable and even risk going in to labour. It is important to keep this in mind when choosing when to send out your baby shower invitations.
Don’t Forget Thank You Cards
Consider creating themed thank you cards to match your baby shower invitations. Most baby showers require the guests to bring a gift of some type, but even if gifts weren’t required, it is nice to send thank you cards to show that you appreciated your guests’ attendance.