A baby shower is kind of a huge deal. Sure, the mom to be might insist it’s not, but you know deep down it is. She’s having a baby! She’s bringing a human life into the world! You have to celebrate those kind of things! Whether you’re a really supportive sister, or just a darn good friend, epare is here to help you make this baby shower perfect!

The date matters

While babies are notorious for not being on time (preferring to be a bit early or a bit late), you thankfully have control over when this event can happen. And anyone who has had children can tell you - Be grateful for what you have control over! The best time to throw the baby shower, on average, seems to be during the early part of the third trimester, around the seven month mark. The mom to be has probably figured out what they need and don’t need, and party goers can purchase accordingly.

Play some games 

Games are a great way to keep people entertained, and if you take some advice you can have them entertained from the moment they walk in until the moment they leave. Beau-coup has some great ones, and we’re a real big proponent on the Don’t Say Baby Game (we’ve listed three of our favorite below). Not only is it something that’ll keep people engaged from the moment they step through the door, it’ll also keep the conversations away from the B Word.

1. Don't Say Baby

Mum's the word when it comes to saying 'baby'! Get this great icebreaker started the moment your guests walk through the door. As you greet each guest, give each a diaper pin to wear on his or her shirt. Once all of your guests have arrived, tell everyone that they can't say 'baby' for the duration of the shower (or until it's time to open presents). If anyone hears someone else saying the forbidden word, he or she can steal the rule breaker's pin. At the end of the game, the person with the most pins wins a gift.

2. Baby Items in the Bag

Keep guests guessing with this practical game. Put at least ten common, useful baby items inside a diaper bag; a bib, teething ring, rattle, bottle and diaper are just a few goodies that are also fairly inexpensive. Give each guest a pen and paper before passing the diaper bag around. Without looking, each person should stick a hand inside the bag and identify as many items as possible. Give each two minutes to feel around and make their guesses before moving the bag to the next person. Once everyone has had a turn, find out who had the most correct answers. The winner gets a prize and the parents-to-be get the diaper bag filled with baby essentials.

3. Guess the Baby Food

If you've ever thought that baby food in jars looks less like the 'peas' or 'carrots' they purport to be and more like miscellaneous mush, this is the game for you. Gather seven to ten unique flavors of baby food jars, number each lid and tear off the labels. Ask each guest to grab a spoon and start sampling! The guest with the keenest taste buds wins a prize for getting the most correct.

Serve some drinks and some food

It’s tempting to serve some champagne and other brunch staples for your baby shower, but what fun is it if the mom can’t join in? Instead, try the recipe below taken from tablespoon.com. You can make any drink your own by making some fruit or flower filled  ice cubes using our Epare ice cube tray, and serve your drinks in our Double Wall Champagne Glasses Also, make sure you have some finger foods and snacks on hand.

Pineapple Ginger Sparkler

What you will need…

• 4 cups (1 liter) of ginger ale
• 4 cups of chilled pineapple juice
• 1 piece (2 inches) fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1/2/ cup fresh basil leaves, de-stemmed

Method…>

In a 64 ounce pitcher, combine the ginger ale and pineapple juice. Top with oranges, ginger and basil.

Decorate appropriately

Figure out a theme and go appropriately. If the mom to be is a literary type, decorate with some of her favorite books or homages to her favorite literary classics. We recommend, however, staying away from the theme of “baby.” Not only is it kind of ignoring the fact that there’s a person you’re celebrating who already exists, I think everyone is kind of tired of pastel everything.

Don’t panic!

There’s a classic book that said “fear is the mind killer,” and they were right about sci-fi epics and party planning. Just relax and have fun! The mom to be is sure to be happy you took the effort, and as long as you have something planned and a few decorations, it won’t matter if it’s in her best friend’s living room or the Ritz Carlton. We can’t all be Beyonce with our baby showers, after all.

Are you planning a baby shower?  Stock up on glassware, and other essentials, sure to help!