Best Friends

As the hostess it is your responsibility to make sure that the mother-to-be is surrounded by as many well-wishers and loved ones as possible. One way to ensure this is to keep very careful track of who has RSVPed or not and to contact those who are missing in action and cajole them to attend.

It is also a good idea to suggest inexpensive gifts for financially challenged invitees as well as try to arrange transportation for guests who may not have rides.

Snacks

Make sure you have plenty of finger-food on hand to keep mom and guests happy. This means junk-food. Keep bowls of pretzels, peanuts, potato chips, cookies and chocolate covered candies on hand to give the party a generous and upbeat feel. Sushi, spring rolls, tea sandwiches, satay, fried chicken, fondue, cream puffs, petit fours, cheese, crackers and veggies and dip also keep guests feeling merry and satiated.

Decorations

At the very least decorate the party area with a banner that welcomes the mom as well as balloons. Featuring her picture in a prominent is also a complimentary and flattering practice that makes her feel loved and appreciated by her friends.

Most baby showers are also enhanced by a decorative theme such as ducks, storks, teddy bears, the letters of the alphabet or stars. To find out more about this, go to the Themes section of this ebook.

Video Camera

Beg, borrow or steal a video camera if you don't own one, as there will be nothing more precious to the mom, except for the baby of course. You can hire a professional videoographer as well if you want.

Remember to keep plenty of film on hand for still photography and Polaroids.

Some hostesses like to take Polaroids of the guests as they arrive. These are pinned on a bulletin board and given to the mother as a keepsake for later.

Cake

No party is complete without a cake, so don't forget to ask the guest of honor what color or flavor of cake is her favorite.

Cakes can be ordered from bakeries to match the motif of your party, or you can create a cake on your own that is baked in the shape of a duck, stork or teddy bear.

If your cake is not an unusual shape, then make sure the mother's name along with your good wishes is decorated on the top of the confection in icing.

The Must-Have-No-Matter-What Shopping List

This list is just a rough guide and you can elaborate on the specifics, but below is a list of everything that you will need to make mom happy. You need not buy everything on this list. Some of these items can be borrowed from friends. Some of these items are also optional depending on what kind of shower you are planning to throw.

· Invitations and envelopes

· Guest book or photo album

· Camera and film

· Balloons

· Decorations

· Candles

· Flowers

· A ride to the event

· Junk Food

· Finger Food

· Plenty of ice

· Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks