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Order Of The Baby Shower

I'm planning a baby shower and I don't know what order things should go. Should we eat first or open the gifts play the games or what I don't know. please help

Our Answer:

Hi,

Thank you for your question. The actual order that you use for the baby shower is up to personal preference. Typically, baby showers last 2-3 hours. It usually starts with an activity to keep the guests busy as they arrive. From this point, it depends on the type of baby shower you are throwing.

At an open house baby shower, the guests are coming and going so the food is available for guests to eat anytime. If your baby shower has a main activity in place of games, you can have snacks along the tables for guests to munch on while they are busy with the activities. If you choose to have games, 2-3 games are sufficient.

After the games, it is again a personal preference, you can either allow your guests to eat and then open presents or open presents first and then eat. My personal preference is to let the guests eat and as they are finishing, open presents. That way, if they have the option of leaving after the presents are opened if they do not want to stay and chat. (The mom to be is usually starving at this point, so it is a nice break for her.) I have been to baby showers were the majority of the guests came a little late, so the hostess allowed everyone to eat while she was waiting for guests to show up.

This is the typical order at baby showers...

1. Activity as guests show up

2. 2-3 games

3. Serve food or open presents

4. For #3, If you served food, open the presents. If you opened the presents, serve the food.

There is not really a "wrong way" to do it. It is a personal preference and as long as you allow for the gift opening some games and food, you really cannot go wrong.

Some final tips: As long as you are planning the shower, here are some final tips for after the baby shower gets over. They might seem obvious, but they are important to keep in mind before hand. :)

1. As the guests are leaving, make sure that there is someone available to help the expecting mom transport her gifts home.

2. Your job is not over when the shower is over! Stay and help clean up.

I hope that helps. Good Luck planning the baby shower!

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