Creating the guest list for your baby shower
You are planning to give a baby shower for a very special new mom-to-be!
One of the first items on your list of plans is that you must decide whom to invite! Unless you are one of the rare few who has unlimited time, space, and an unlimited budget, the thought of inviting everyone who may be interested and would want to be included may be a nice idea, but also unreasonable.
How do you begin to make a guest list which will not only be accommodating to your available resources, but will also provide the most fun and enjoyment for the mother-to-be? A good rule-of-thumb is to keep in mind that when planning any kind of party it is nearly impossible for there to not be someone who ends up feeling left out; but it is best for you to set your priorities based on what you can reasonably handle.
This factor is most important in terms of the location and refreshments you have chosen. If you, as the hostess, have decided to take on all of the expenditures yourself, it is wise to not go overboard. However, if the baby shower is to be a pot-luck, or a backyard barbecue, it can very well be an informal affair which includes nearly everyone who is interested.
A traditional baby shower is usually a �ladies only� party. If this idea is to your liking, it is essential for you to include the new mom’s closest women friends and family members on your guest list. If your space and budget permit, the new mom surely has co-workers, neighbors, and other women friends who would love to be a part of the festivities!
If you are planning to hold the baby shower at a fine restaurant, it may be a good idea to limit the number of guests. Not only would this be more appropriate in terms of seating, but whether you are covering all of the meals yourself or whether each guest will be expected to pay for her own, keeping the cost down to a reasonable level will make the party much more enjoyable and less stressful.
If you are fortunate to have a relatively-large home, you can be much more lenient with your guest list! As these days it is perfectly acceptable to include men and children at a baby shower, you can host a large �family and friends� get-together in your home. When tradition no longer binds one to ladies-only baby showers, you will find that many husbands, teenagers, and little children will delight in the party as much as the ladies will!
An in-home, women-only baby shower can be wonderful! It is good to know, however, that we are no longer restricted by tradition– there are many more options! The guests whom you decide to invite to the baby shower should all have one thing in common: the desire to be a part of celebrating the upcoming birth!