Spring is in the air and the stork is busy! Celebrate mums-to-be with a Baby Shower party

Although we tend to associate them as something of an American tradition, baby showers actually date back as far as the eighteen hundreds and the name comes from the 'showering' of gifts for mother to be. Many women enjoy celebrating their imminent status as 'mum' and as with any party, it can be personalised to choice and is a great excuse for a theme, decorations and all the lovely stuff that comes with any celebration.

But where to start and is there an expected format?

Here is a quick guide to help you plan a fabulous Baby Shower Party.

Budget - know exactly what you are willing to spend. If you are organising for someone else, it’s vital to know what is available and who will be responsible for payment.

Guest list - create an initial list to give you an idea of the numbers. If for someone else, talk to the mum-to-be to help you finalist this list. You can also use this for Thank You cards.

Set a date - ideally you should set a date which is somewhere between 1-2 months before mum-to-be’s due date. Sending a 'Save the Date' email earlier is a good way to check availability.

Theme - popular themes include colour, toys or characters (Winnie the Pooh, Beatrix Potter etc), a focus on the baby or Mum (products and presents). Or, it could be something more quirky and specific to the mum-to-be, or even to a special location or venue - a garden, by the sea etc.

Location and venue - obviously you need to think about party supplies, like food and drink, but also whether you want a private space to yourselves, whether it’s easy to reach by transport and whether the general ambience is appropriate. Check if it will accommodate your theme and decoration ideas and, if applicable whether it’s suitable for children. Make sure its all within budget!

party invitations – choose invitations that fit into the overall theme of the Baby Shower. It should state clearly all relevant details including: location, date, time, host phone number, map/directions, RSVP. Don't forget to ask about any dietary requirements and also state if it is for mums and kids or just mums.

Food - this will depend sometimes on the venue. You may just need to choose from a menu. If the event is been hosted at a home, you can chose to cater or make your own food or do both. You can even ask each guest bring some food. Similarly, choosing a buffet or sit-down depends on budget and venue. Don’t miss this opportunity for a fab cake either!

party decorations and Partyware -there is a large variety of Baby Shower décor to choose from! Balloons, table confetti, garlands and banners are all easy to transport and put up/take down. If the Baby Shower is held at home, you will need to supply your own partyware and these can all match your theme! For party games and prizes, you can buy baby specific games or go with something the mum to be is fond of or will enjoy on this special occasion.

Have fun and happy baby shower!