Sending Out Those Special Baby Shower Invitations

A baby shower is a very special event and as such it is only fitting that you should want to formally invite your guests. So, unless a baby shower is being planned as a surprise or is being arranged at short notice, then written invitations are almost always the most appropriate method to use. When this is not possible then inviting your guests personally by phone is acceptable and e-mailing your invitations ought to be avoided even though they may seem convenient and fast.

Providing your finances allow then your shower invitations can be custom printed but this is really unnecessary and there are plenty of very good pre-printed invitations available either locally or on the Internet. Alternatively you can also make your own baby shower invitations if you have enough time and a little bit of creative talent.

As is the case with any party invitations your guests will need some basic details including the name of the person who is the subject of the shower, the name of the host, the date and time of the shower, the location and instructions on how to reply.

Another thing to think about including is details of the theme for the party or the shower gift registry and this can be somewhat tricky as many people feel that this is a bit presumptuous and places undue pressure on the guests. This is naturally a matter of personal choice, but one answer which frequently works is to leave this off the invitations, request you guests to reply by phone and then than slip this artfully into the conversion if guests do confirm that they will be attending. Do not forget though that you will need to have this information on hand when your guests phone and etiquette says that you must only give out your shower gift registry information if your guest requests it. When the baby shower is going to be a formal event then you cannot go far wrong if you stick to etiquette but, if the shower is less formal and includes only close friends you can probably get away with relaxing the rules a little.

The timeline for your baby shower planning is very important and the more advance notice the guests are given the better. consequently, you ought to try to send your invitations out some 4 to 6 weeks prior to the shower date and this is especially important if guests from out of town are being invited. If this is not possible then you ought to certainly try to get your invitations out at least 2 to 3 weeks prior to the event. Advance notice allows your guests to sort out their diaries, reply and shop for suitable gifts.

It is also important for you to request your guests to telephone you to let you know whether or not they will be attending. With all the other tasks involved in planning your shower the very last thing you want to do is to have to phone around to find out whether some of the guest plan on attending. Nonetheless, there will usually be a few guests who do not reply and so a week or so before the shower date you will have to make time to contact those individuals to find out their intentions. An accurate head count will help considerably with making the necessary arrangements for your very special day.