How to be a top-notch shower host
By Dawn Grelyak, Games and Celebrations.com

Hosting a Baby Shower or Bridal Shower can be particularly challenging.  Not only must you plan an event that is for most a once in a lifetime memory, but you must also entertain an odd mix of friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and other acquaintances.  You must place the guest-of-honor center stage, and like it or not, you as the host will also share the spotlight. Sounds like a lot of pressure, huh?  Well here are some helpful hints on not only keeping it all together, but being a top-notch shower host. 

First, do some research and formulate a plan.  Make lists and timelines for the things that need to be done, and keep them handy throughout your preparations.  There are books that you may purchase on shower planning, and there are plenty of free resources online (Free Shower Planning Guide).  You may alter your plan throughout the preparation process as you come up with new ideas, but stay close to your goals set.  Organization is key.

With a plan in hand, you may now start the preparations.  Don’t hesitate in asking for help.  There is plenty to do and the last thing you want is to skip on details because you’ve run out of time.  You’ll be surprised at how many people will offer assistance for such an event, and be sure to give credit where credit is due!  Follow up with a thank you note after the event.

As you are setting up the location, food, cake, and other obvious details, be sure to look into special touches; things that will set your event apart from the norm.  Your guests and guest-of-honor will probably forget that you served beef or chicken, but they will remember the fabulous centerpieces, or the personalized favors.

Always include games in a shower.  Because your group will more than likely be an odd mix of acquaintances to the guest-of-honor, not everyone will know everyone else.  This could lead into your guests breaking off into smaller groups and segregating themselves from the festivities, and affecting the overall atmosphere of the event.  Baby Shower Games and Bridal Shower Games are vital since they will give guests a passive approach to being involved with each other, and therefore be more directly involved with the festivities.  Delight guests further with offering prizes for the winners.

Be sure that your guests are told that their attendance is appreciated.  If your group is small enough, have your guest-of-honor visit each table to thank everyone personally.  If the group is too large or time doesn’t permit this, then have her address the group. A simple ‘thank you for coming’ is often times enough.  You too, as the host may want to say thank you to the guests as well as any of your helpers.  The perfect time is just before a meal is served.  Thank everyone for coming, and be sure to take this moment to thank any of your helpers, and then announce the meal.  It’s a great way to kick off the festivities.

One of the worst things a shower host can do is not keep the wheels in motion during the event.  Be sure to not allow large gaps of time throughout the shower where you’ll lose the attention of your group.  Have a chronological list of things to do and stick with it.  Plan out how long you’ll have the appetizers out, when to start the meal, allow time for games and gifts, and any other things that will be involved in your shower.  Keep the party going, but do not try to cram too much stuff into too little time.  That could work against you as well.