Hosting a successful baby shower comes down to planning and organization. The following timeline and step-by-step planning guide will help you organize and prepare a successful baby shower, stay in control during the baby shower party and ensure the mommy-to-be has the time of her life.

Creating the Baby Shower Guest List
The first step to planning and hosting a successful baby shower is to create a guest list. Creating the initial guest list will help you get an idea of how many people will be ultimately be invited to the baby shower, which is the biggest factor in what your shower budget will be.

It's always a good idea to find out if mommy-to-be is going to have other baby showers hosted for her by another family member or friend. Talk to the mommy-to-be's family members about the other shower dates and invite list. Other than her family members, you do not need to invite people that are attending the mommy-to-be's other showers unless you want to.

Make sure you have up-to-date addresses and phone numbers for everyone. Type out your guest, including addresses and phone numbers. You will be able to use the potential guest list to keep track of RSVPs and give it to the mommy-to-be so she has everyone's correct address to send Thank You cards.

Budgeting for the Baby Shower
We suggest that you determine your baby shower budget early in your planning process. It will determine the location of the baby shower, its menu, decorations and more. If you have a smaller budget, don't worry - you have options:

If you have a smaller group, your home or someone else's may be a good option. Location and food are typically the biggest costs, so if you're able to host the baby shower at a home, you will save a significant portion of your budget that be reallocated to food, decorations, etc.

If you have a large guest list, you may want to look for co-hosts because you're likely going to need to host the baby shower at a restaurant. Good co-hosts can be other close friends of mommy-to-be or her family members. Family members may even just contribute money. Once you have a budget, you should make a list of all of the baby shower costs.

Choose a Baby Shower Theme
Decide what type of theme you want for the baby shower. It will set the tone of the party and may impact where you host the baby shower, as well as its menu and decorations. Baby shower themes can be as simple as blue or pink if you know the sex of the baby. It's important to consider what mommy-to-be's style is and what theme she will like. You might also want to take the guest list into account.

Determine the Baby Shower Date
You will want to host the baby shower on a Saturday or Sunday between four to eight weeks before the baby is due. With baby's due date in mind, decide on a few dates that you can host the baby shower. Contact important guests, especially out of town family, to make sure they are available on dates you have in mind. Remember that Friday night and Saturday baby shower parties are usually more expensive than Sundays if you are having it at a location other than a home.

Choose Baby Shower Location
The number one rule is to make sure that the baby shower location is large enough to accommodate your guest list. No matter if you have the baby shower at a home, restaurant, hotel or rented space, make sure everything is planned and it will be an excellent shower!

You will save a considerable amount of your budget if you will be hosting the baby shower at a home. However, you will spend money on plates, napkins, cups, eating utensils, and possibly table rentals.

If you will be hosting the baby shower at a restaurant, start looking for locations early. You will want to call and even visit locations to make sure it will accommodate your group, works with your theme and serves food that mommy-to-be and your guests will enjoy. Make sure you also consider whether the location you choose will match your shower theme and allow you to decorate it.

Order Baby Shower Invitations
At least 8 weeks before your baby shower, you should be finalizing your baby shower guest list. After sending out the baby shower invitations, if you have not received RSVPs from some invited guests, call those who have not yet responded. When you begin to look at baby shower invitations, remember that your invitations should:

• Match your theme
• Include its location, date, time, your phone number and the RSVP date (which should be about seven daysbefore the baby shower).
• Include a map to the event location
• Send invitations five or six weeks before the event.

Choosing the Baby Shower Menu
Baby showers have lots of menu options. You can serve appetizers or a full meal.

If you're hosting the baby shower at a restaurant you will need to work with someone at the restaurant on the menu. If you're unable to visit the restaurant, which we suggest you do if you haven't been there, ask them to fax you their party menu. The restaurant may be able to provide food in a sit down setting or put out a buffet, and they may even be able to help you match the menu to your shower theme.

If you're hosting the baby shower at a home you can choose to cater, make your own food, or a combination of both. If you are having the baby shower catered, ask the caterer to fax you a menu. Again, you will have the option of setting up a buffet or cooking a sit down menu. Just leave room for cake!

Buy Baby Shower Decorations and Supplies
You're going to want to buy balloons, streamers and other decorations. But if you're hosting the baby shower at a restaurant, find out what decorations they allow.

If you're not hosting the baby shower at a restaurant, you're also going to need plates, napkins, cups and eating utensils. Make sure you have enough napkins and forks for appetizers and cake as well as making sure you have cups for both hot and cold liquids.

Baby Shower Games and Prizes
Baby Shower 101 has assembled a most comprehensive collection of baby shower games on the Internet. Visit the baby shower games page for lots of great baby show game ideas.

Tips: 1) Be sure you have writing utensils for everyone, 2) Wrap games prizes and 3) Make sure to have extra prizes in case of tie games.

Buy Baby Shower Party Favors
The baby shower party favors are one of those nice touches to finish off your successful baby shower. Party favors can go with the theme or not. Some popular baby shower gifts include:

• Fill-able baby bottles
• Jelly Belly It's a boy/girl candy
• Mini pacifier sweet tarts
• Baby feet Lollipops
• Personalized candy bar wrappers