If a lot of woman have small children it is good to arrange at a park where there is suitable playground equipment. Choose a place with shelter and shade and lots of seating and some tables. Perhaps  at a church hall or Playgroup meeting place.
 
Organize a few people ie 3 or 4 friends to pool gifts and decide on a colour range before hand. It is great if these can them be put in a basket, baby bath or nappy bin.
 
Another few people may choose another colour or theme perhaps toys.
 
Find out if the mum to be would like a certain item and pool money to buy that one thing.
 
Ask if Mum to be can make a list of things needed and ask if she would mind if a good preloved item was given .....there is a lot of thing that are only used for a short time.
 
Set a time limit for the party shower and stick to it ..don't let it drag on.
Better to make arrangements to meet in a few weeks.
 
Ask every one to write down a least one handy hint to share.
 
Everyone brings food and drinks...and a few outside toys for your own child's age group
May be better to have 2 showers than try to fit family and work mates in at the same time.
 
Come prepared to write something special in a book and fill it with photos of the day,  for memory of the loving get together.

 
Margaret Hambly of Queensland wrote:

I used to dread baby showers.  People rubbing the mum to be's belly and passing on out of date advice and swapping awful stories that practically leave the lady with the bun in the oven in tears.
 
So when my girlfriend insisted on having one for me I laid down a few ground rules
 
1. No patting of my abdomen of any sort
2. Guests must come to the party with open minds and have learned at least one modern fact about parenting.
3. Anyone found telling painful birth storys would be made to wear a nappy and sit in the corner.
4. This day is about me people so make sure I enjoy it.
 
 
JodieAnne Harlow of Queensland wrote:

A Mum To Be Journal that all relatives, friends, and baby shower guests with children sign and fill with words of wisdom, advice and words of encouragement.

That journal got me through my first pregnancy and the first year like no other book or person.

When Miss 16 months little sister came long that journal kept me company as I read the honest entries of those I loved. How they struggled, overcame or not as the case may be, the humour, the wisdom and the knowing I WAS NOT ALONE..that others had gone before, felt as I felt and they had survived and so had their gorgeous children.

One bound A5 writing book, one pen, a room full of loved ones… the ingredients for one amazing recipe.


Alison Melia of Western Australia wrote:
 
My favourite game that we have played at my last three baby showers  (and will no doubt play again at the next one in June)always gets the giggles going!

We freeze tiny little babies (we got the last lot from the cake decorating shop) in a shooter glass of blue or pink coloured water (depending on if you are betting for a boy or a girl).  The first person able to remove their baby from the glass, shouts out ..... MY WATERS HAVE BROKEN!  And win a prize.

Great fun and lots of laughs watching the ladies trying to make their water break first!!!
 

 
 
Thank you again to all entrants. The winners will be contacted by email to verify which prize you would like.
Watch our competition page as we plan on running lots more competitions!