Throwing a baby shower

Can anyone throw a baby shower?

Usually someone who's not a relative throws the shower to avoid giving the impression that the family is asking for presents. Practically speaking, this means anyone except the mum-to-be and dad-to-be. However, often it's less clear-cut than that. 

The best advice is to go with what feels right. You or any relative, close friend or work colleague should feel perfectly happy about planning your baby shower.

When should the baby shower happen?

Any time after conception is fine, but most mums-to-be appreciate a shower later in pregnancy. By then, she can sure that all is going well. And a party can be a welcome diversion as the months tick by. Besides, it makes it seem more real if the mum-to-be is touting a big belly. 

Before setting a date for the party, talk to guests you really want to be there. They may be able to warn you about any prior commitments. 

You may also have to take into account the prior commitments of grandparents, if you want them to come too. Nothing is worse than planning a party and sending out invitations, only to find that the most important people can't make it. 

If you decide to have your shower after your baby is born, that's fine, too. Then guests can bring gifts specific to your baby's sex. And with a newborn baby to fuss over, there will be lots to talk about!

Where should we hold the baby shower?

You need to consider the location before deciding on how many people to invite. Ideally, the party shouldn't be held at the mum-to-be's house. It's not fair for her to have to worry about cleaning up before everyone arrives and after they've gone. If the mum-to-be does want to be at home, you could ask a few of the invitees if they'll stay behind to help clear up. 

Or ask around to see if anyone else is prepared to host the event at their home. If not, think of booking a room at a community hall or local club. 

What kind of invitations are right for a baby shower?

You can send traditional invitations by post, or email invitations. 

Make the theme of the shower clear on the invitation, as well as including the basic who, what, where, when, and RSVP instructions. 

You may have registered with a baby shop or department store and have a nursery list guests can view. If so, mention that, too. Or you can offer the information when guests reply. 

Plan to send invitations out early enough to give the guests at least a few weeks' notice. This should give them enough time to work the shower into their calendar and shop for the perfect present.

What should we do at the baby shower?

Before finalising your activities, consider the following: 

• You may want to choose a theme to tie everything together. Although it's not necessary, it can help you make decisions about the various elements of the party and it's often fun for guests.
• You'll probably want to serve some kind of food and drink, depending on the time of day, your budget, and how formal or casual you want the shower to be.

• Baby showers usually aren't complete without some fun or silly games. But don't worry if your guests aren't the competitive types, there are plenty of other kinds of activities to keep them entertained.
• It's common to give a goody bag to everyone who attends a baby shower, or you can just offer individual prizes to guests who win games.

How big should the budget be?

If you don't want to pay for the whole thing yourself, the best way to cover the cost is to ask each guest to chip in. When working out how much it might add up to, factor in the following:

• The main gift, if you all want to contribute to a bigger, combined present.
• Food, drinks, paper plates, cups, plastic knives and forks.
• Going-home goody bags.
• Prizes for games.
• Venue hire.
• Decorations.
• Cake.

Who should be on the invitation list for the baby shower?

If you're hosting the shower, you probably have a good idea of who you want to invite. However, if someone else is organising your shower for you, make sure they consult you before finalising the guest list. That way you'll avoid leaving out someone important or inviting someone you would rather not include. 

Can I throw a shower for the mum-to-be and dad-to-be?

Although many baby showers are still for women only, baby showers for both women and men are becoming more popular. It really depends on the type of party you're planning. 

If the shower is for a second or subsequent baby, the guest list is often made up of close friends and family and anyone else the mum-to-be or dad-to-be wants to include. 

A word of caution: think long and hard before deciding to throw a surprise party. If the parents-to-be don't like surprises, they may feel awkward and the party may not be as memorable as you'd hoped. 

Unless you're sure they'd appreciate your clandestine efforts, it's safer to let them in on the arrangements. That way you can be confident that the stars of the baby shower will be pleased with the outcome.

Content Source: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a554814/throwing-a-baby-shower

Image Source: http://pinterest.com/freebabyshower

Interview with Melissa Minahan - CEO of Pure Hoopla - Video Dailymotion

Interview with Melissa Minahan - CEO of Pure Hoopla - Video Dailymotion

Interview with Melissa Minahan - CEO of Pure Hoopla

Pure Hoopla is a Brand  that is owned by Melissa Minahan, CEO of Pure Hoopla explains how you can get free printed baby shower invitations and birth announcements. Drag and drop coupons on the back to get them for free. for more info visit http://purehoopla.com or http://purehoopla.ie

Interview with Melissa Minahan - CEO of Pure... by dm_5123c45de50a4

What No One Tells You About Labor

Here's the truth about labor -- what's normal, what's not, and what to expect.

Expecting the Unexpected

Now that you're pregnant, you're dutifully attending childbirth classes and reading everything you can get your hands on about labor and birth. But classes and books tend to give you the big picture, not the surprising -- and sometimes embarrassing -- details. Because knowing what to expect makes for a less stressful delivery, we've asked the experts to spill the beans on the following common (yet seldom-talked-about) scenarios.

You May Throw Up

Who knew that vomiting during labor is normal? I certainly didn't -- until the birth of my daughter nearly three years ago. One reason it happens: Epidurals can cause hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure. "An early sign of this is nausea and vomiting," says David J. Birnbach, M.D., spokesman for the American Society of Anesthesiologists and vice chair of the department of anesthesiology at the University of Miami. But throwing up can occur even if you haven't been given an epidural, either because of the pain you're experiencing or as a result of food sitting in your stomach (digestion usually stops during labor). To keep vomiting to a minimum, eat only light foods during the earliest stages of labor, and stop eating completely -- and drink only clear liquids -- once you're in active labor.

Your Teeth Chatter

"Nearly 50 percent of women complain of shivering and chattering teeth," Dr. Birnbach says. It has nothing to do with being cold. (In fact, your body temperature may rise a degree or two during labor, making you feel hot.) The jury's still out on what exactly causes this, but the latest evidence points to blood incompatibility. "During labor, a small amount of fetal blood crosses into the mother's bloodstream," says Henry Klapholz, M.D., an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Harvard Medical School, in Boston. "Studies show that if there's an incompatibility in blood type between mother and baby -- for example, your blood is type A and your baby's is type B -- the mother shakes, shivers, and gets chills."

You Make Nasty Noises

As a baby descends through the birth canal, air gets forced out the anus, so be prepared to pass gas. This is especially likely if you've had an epidural, which paralyzes the anal sphincter. Another unpleasant side effect of childbirth: You may have a bowel movement right on the delivery table. "It's purely a space issue," says Arianna Sholes-Douglas, M.D., director of the High-Risk Pregnancy Center at Mercy Medical Center, in Baltimore. "As your baby's head makes its way through the birth canal, the rectum gets flattened and its contents are pushed out." In any event, don't worry. "These bodily functions happen all the time -- there's very little we haven't seen or heard before," says Deborah Robbins, R.N., program manager of parent and childbirth education at Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston.

You Might Act Like a Lunatic

During labor -- especially if you haven't been given pain medication -- you may find yourself screaming, crying, even swearing at your husband or doctor. Or you may strip. "I've had patients who were so uncomfortable that they pulled off their gowns and delivered naked," says Lisa Fraine, a certified nurse-midwife in Allentown, Pennsylvania. All of these reactions are common; they're simply a response to pain and exhaustion. You can also blame your hormones: "Labor causes a shift in your estrogen and progesterone levels, which is akin to a major case of PMS," Dr. Klapholz says. If you do lose it, don't feel bad. Doctors and nurses are used to these reactions. (Still, it doesn't hurt to apologize afterward.) But if you're uncomfortable with the idea of such a display, be prepared for your delivery. "Women who take childbirth classes tend to stay calmer during labor than those who don't," Dr. Klapholz says.

Your Mind Goes Blank

In the heat of the moment, it can be easy to forget what they taught you in childbirth class. "I couldn't remember the various positions I was supposed to get into to ease pain," says Elizabeth Estes Niven, of St. Louis. "Instead, I stayed flat on my back, gripping the bed railing." You're also likely to forget many of the details of the birth. So be sure your partner takes plenty of photos or captures it all on videotape.

It May Not Be Love at First Sight

Don't feel bad if your first reaction to holding your new born isn't overwhelming joy. You've just been through an exhausting experience and need time to recover. If you can, try breast-feeding -- then let a nurse take your child so you can get some rest. That's what I did after 17 hours of labor and a C-section. But after an hour, I had them bring back my baby girl and was immediately smitten.

Unforgettable Baby Shower Invitations

Baby shower invitations are some of the most exciting announcements you’ll ever send – and some of the most precious keepsakes you can put in your baby albums and photo frames. If you’re a proud parent, you want to make your baby shower invitations unforgettable. After all, each child is special – why settle for run-of-the-mill, store-bought baby shower invitations when you can craft custom creations that are perfect to announce the arrival of your new bundle of joy?

What to put on baby shower invitations

Most baby showers are held before the baby actually arrives, so including a picture of your newborn is typically out of the question (unless, of course, you opt to include a photo of the ultrasound, which would be rather unique and unforgettable). You could place a photo of the proud parents-to-be and/or siblings or opt for images, shapes and silhouettes associated with the birth of a new baby such as bottles, rattles, baby beds, etc.

Apart from your images, you’ll also need to include the name of the mother-to-be, the date, time and address of the baby shower, whether you’d like an RSVP and a contact number, and a map to the location. You can also include things attendees should bring, such as their own drinks or a covered dish. Baby registry information is likewise helpful to gift buyers: though some believe it to be tacky to directly ask for gifts, those who wish to give gifts find it exceedingly helpful when they know what is wanted and needed for the baby.

Baby shower invitation design styles

The sky is the limit when it comes to baby shower invitation design. You can be contemporary with solid colors or patterns, you could choose pastels or dark and heavy lines, you could use images and graphics or simply key in on the text, or you could go with a vintage Norman Rockwell-inspired design.

Many baby shower invitations are designed in blue or pink if the gender of the baby is known; however, you’re certainly not limited to these two oft-overused hues. A green, red, orange or even tan-accented baby shower invitation can lend prestige. Borders are another great way to set your baby shower invitations apart from bland store-bought versions.

Baby shower invitation add-ons

For a truly unique look, you could have your baby shower invitations die cut in a specific shape (such as a rattle) or include a foil stamp to add a certain certifiable prestige to the event. PsPrint has hundreds of die-cut templates in many shapes you can download for free; or, create a custom shape and have PsPrint develop a template for you. All you need is a good graphic design program – or even a good work processor such as Open Office or Microsoft Word – to custom design your own baby shower invitations.

Baby shower invitation printing

Baby shower invitations can be printed on many types of paper, folded or unfolded, placed in envelopes or mailed like postcards. All in all, a good paper stock is 16-point cover gloss or 13-point recycled matte, either of which will enrich your design and help your baby invitations stay durable for decades of storage and display. Source: http://www.psprint.com/resources/unforgettable-baby-shower-invitations/

Where to Buy Baby Birth Announcement Cards

A new baby is one of life’s miracles, and the most exciting announcement new parents make. Many parents commemorate the special occasion by buying birth announcement cards to send to friends, family and coworkers. Thus, one consideration that accompanies new birth is where to buy baby birth announcement cards. The answer might not be as simple as you think.

Gift stores and supermarkets

The first answer that comes to mind for most couples is gift stores and supermarkets. Both offer a wide selection of baby birth announcement cards. They’re typically inexpensive, though some creative store-bought baby birth announcement cards can be quite costly.

When you buy your announcement cards at local retailers, you have to address envelopes, affix postage and mail them yourself – though you’re probably anxious to spread the word about your bundle of joy, the last thing most proud parents want to spend time doing right after their baby is born is address envelopes. It can seem more like paying bills than proudly announcing the birth of your child.

Online gift retailers

Online gift retailers, as opposed to local retailers, offer another option for buying baby birth announcement cards. Since they don’t have to stock shelves, they can typically offer a larger selection of birth cards. Just as with local retailers, if you order from online gift retailers you’ll have to address and mail your baby birth announcement cards yourself. Another caveat: You’ll also have to pay shipping costs on top of your postage to get the cards to you – and if you want them in a few days instead of a few weeks, you’ll likely have to pay additional shipping charges.

Design and print your own

A third option, and one many parents love, is to design and print your own baby birth announcement cards. The process isn’t as difficult as it might sounds: Simply grab a free layout or design template online, put some photos in using your favorite office or graphic design program, and upload it to an online printing company such as PsPrint.

The benefits of designing your own baby birth announcement cards are threefold: first, you’ll love creating your own special commemorative card that you can later put in your baby album, scrapbook or photo frame; second, you’re guaranteed to have a truly unique, one-of-a-kind baby announcement for a truly special, one-of-a-kind baby; and third, you don’t have to address or stamp a single envelope – your printing company will take care of printing and delivery for you. Best of all, designing and printing your own custom baby birth announcement cards is rather inexpensive. Get instant price quotes using the tools at PsPrint to see for yourself.

In conclusion, your baby’s birth is a once-in-a-lifetime event that deserves to be celebrated accordingly. With custom baby birth announcement cards, you can commemorate the event in a way no one else can duplicate.

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BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS & BABY ANNOUNCEMENT CARDS

Tiny Prints is happy to help celebrate your new baby with hundreds of unique and stylish birth announcements. From adorable argyle designs to chic fonts, images of fuzzy teddy bears to colorful rocking chairs, our collection of birth announcements will help you find the perfect way to welcome your beautiful baby boy, girl or twins to the world!

To help you remember this special occasion (and those squeezable cheeks), you can personalize your colorful announcements with your very own photos. Your photo birth announcements will become lasting mementos of those precious newborn moments. Do you want to celebrate your new addition or baby twins with an announcement that matches your style? Well, we have modern and traditional designs to help add a special touch to their grand debut!

At Tiny Prints, we offer birth announcements for every budget and style. We personally ensure that your cards are printed with the best photo quality possible on the highest quality paper—all at a wallet-friendly price. If you’re having trouble finding just the right design, we offer a Personal Shopper Service that can help. Our personal shoppers will pick the perfect birth announcements to fit the personal taste and style of you and your growing family…and if there isn’t something just right they’ll even tweak a design to make it something you’re guaranteed to love!

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