| Until recently baby showers were relatively small | | | | jointly host the shower. Indeed, there is no |
| affairs involving just family and close friends but | | | | reason why this should not be extended to a |
| today they can be elaborate special occasions | | | | group of three, four or even more co-hosts. |
| complete with professional entertainers and | | | | With two or more hosts you can either divide up |
| photographers. This means that, amongst other | | | | the work and costs, with each host being |
| things, if you do not watch the bottom line your | | | | responsible for a different aspect of the party |
| costs can run out of control very quickly. So, you | | | | such as decorations, food, drink and games, or |
| need to watch your budget! | | | | with the hosts simply sharing the cost by deciding |
| Traditionally the cost of a baby shower is borne | | | | on an overall budget and then each putting their |
| by the host and the shower itself is considered to | | | | share into the baby shower 'pot'. |
| be the host's gift to the mother-to-be. Nowadays | | | | If you are going to host a baby shower and are |
| however this can be a very expensive gift and so | | | | looking for other people to share the cost then |
| you need to draw up a budget the moment you | | | | you will need to handle this with some tact. Never |
| start your planning. | | | | for example ask the mother-to-be or her partner |
| Nobody likes having to operate to a budget but if | | | | to contribute towards the cost and be mindful of |
| you do not then you can very quickly end up | | | | other guests who may be struggling financially. If |
| regretting your decision to hold the shower in the | | | | you plan far enough in advance and spread the |
| first place and then find yourself cutting corners | | | | idea of having a baby shower carefully you will |
| at the last minute and spoiling what started out as | | | | probably find that those close to the expectant |
| a very good plan. | | | | mother will volunteer their services and many will |
| Remember too that the main purpose of a baby | | | | offer to help out with the cost. |
| shower is for friends and family to get together | | | | Do not forget too that there are many ways in |
| to celebrate the birth of a new baby and to have | | | | which people can help without directly involving |
| fun doing so. In particular, it is important that the | | | | money. There may for example be people who |
| mother-to-be is the center of attention and | | | | are happy to make decorations for the party, or |
| thoroughly enjoys herself. This can be achieved | | | | to organize games. Others may volunteer to cook |
| without spending a fortune and at each step along | | | | food and bring it along with them, or to supply |
| the way, as you add something into your plan, | | | | drinks. Many of the guests will have skills and |
| simply ask yourself whether it will significantly add | | | | talents which they can bring to bear and the |
| to the enjoyment of those present or is | | | | more people who pitch in the lower the cost will |
| something which will probably not even be noticed | | | | generally be. |
| amongst everything else and can be left out. | | | | The secret, however you decide to plan a baby |
| Another excellent idea today is to co-host a baby | | | | shower, is to decide how much you can afford to |
| shower. There is no reason why just one person | | | | spend before you start and then to plan your |
| should host a baby shower and it is perfectly | | | | party within that budget. |
| acceptable for two friends to get together and | | | | |