Parenting Pointers: Baby Shower Invitation Etiquette

   


Baby Shower Invitation Etiquette: 5 Tips for Proper Invites

One of the most special times in a woman's life is during the last few weeks she is pregnant and waiting for the arrival of her new baby. This is when she really begins to dream, hope and plan. For many generations, women worldwide have gotten together at baby showers and celebrated their new arrivals. For anyone who is in charge of planning and throwing the perfect baby shower for a new mother, it starts with the baby shower invitations. You will find many different baby shower invitation designs, however, the invitations that are customized and more personal are best. Paperstyle invitations are a great example of customized invitations that add style and personality. New mothers will appreciate you taking the extra effort in customizing and showing the proper etiquette when crafting and sending out the invitations for their showers. With that said, below are 5 etiquette tips for sending out invitations properly.

Who to Invite

The first thing to take into consideration is who you plan on inviting.  Inviting family and dear friends of the expectant parents is a good idea.  Make sure to have either the parent-to-be or someone close look over and finalize your guest list so that you do not leave anyone out accidentally.   You can shorten up the guest list if this is not the first shower and invite only close friends and family members who were not able to make the prior shower.

Word Your Invitations Properly

Your baby shower invitation wording is like most other types of invitations.  You just need to address who it is for, what it is for and when and where it is.  Be sure to include the name of the mother-to-be, directions, contact information and who you want the guests to R.S.V.P back to. If you know the name and gender of the baby that is something you might want to share as well.

Time Frame

It is a good idea to send out the invitations at least a few weeks before the shower. Typically, the baby shower is held around 6 to 7 weeks before the baby is due and some people even have them a few weeks after the baby is born. You want to be sure your invites have reached their destination in plenty of time.

Theme

It is a whole lot easier to plan the baby shower when you have a theme in mind. This will enable you to plan games and decorate for the shower easily.  Also, it will give you ideas for the baby shower invitations. There are so many more themes you can choose from rather than going with the traditional giant baby bottle or stork theme.   It is good etiquette to have your invitations crafted around your theme as it will inform your guests of the theme so they know what to expect.

Helpful Information

If you are hosting a baby shower, it is your job to make it as simple as possible for your guests to get there as well as buy a gift for the expectant mother. This would include giving proper directions with the full address or include a map. Although classic etiquette would be not to mention presents and gifts in your invitations, in many cases it is more helpful if you at least put down the registry information. This can be included on a smaller piece of paper and tucked away in the envelope. This will make it easier for your guests to shop for the perfect shower gift and get the mother-to-be exactly what she will need.


Lynne Reed has been a freelance writer for over 5 years and has experience in writing on many topics. As a mother of three beautiful boys, she knows what it is like to be a mother-to-be and how the perfect baby shower Invitations and PaperStyle Invitations are crafted.