It has been quite some time since you got married. While you were occupied with some important tasks for a few years post marriage, and did not have any time to plan about settling down with a kid, you have finally decided to take the plunge into motherhood. For the past few months you have been carrying a baby and you are expecting a child within a few weeks. This is the correct time for a baby shower party that is held to celebrate the news of the baby's imminent arrival. Baby showers are the name given to parties that are thrown for mothers who are expecting to have a baby in the near future.

These types of functions are generally given by co-workers, colleagues and friends and thus can be termed as non-relative. This is the perfect occasion for enjoying lots of excitement for the expectant mother as her friends and colleagues shower her with lots of presents for her and for the baby. The people who throw the party called baby shower are also showered with gifts. Like with other occasions, there are lots of preparations that need to be undertaken in order to host such a party successfully.

Lots of advance planning need to be taken and everyone who is involved with the party takes up part of his or her share to ensure that the party takes place without any hitches or problems. While preparing for the baby shower party, those who are planning the party should ensure that the location of the same is convenient for the expecting mother and that the function should also adhere to the tradition and religious cultures of the family to which the expectant mother belongs.

There are certain cultures that do permit accepting gifts till the newborn has arrived in the world and in such circumstances it is preferable to hold the baby shower function after the baby is born. The latter option also permits friends who come from far flung places to see the baby at the same time they are attending the party. Otherwise they would have to come two times... once to attend the party and once again to see the baby. However, traditionally baby showers are generally held two to three months prior to the birth of the baby child. Before organizing such a party, it is best to ask the expecting mother about the time and location of the party and see if she is comfortable with the same.

As far as the location of the party is concerned, it can either be held in the expecting mother's place or at any of her friend's place who is actively involved with the preparation of the baby shower party. Preparing the list of guests is no big deal and can be easily prepared in consultation with the parents of the baby concerned. Generally the guests of honor in such parties are the grand parents of the newborn. If you so want, you can also have the god parents as the guest of honor.