Couples Baby Shower

Couples Baby Shower - A Quick Planning Guide By Ann Neville

Believe it or not, but many husbands would really enjoy going to a Couples Baby Shower with their wife. A baby shower is a fun get-together with friends and family to celebrate a new little baby. Often, the father-to-be would love to be part of that celebration. It helps him get excited about his new son or daughter. And whether he admits it or not, his heart will melt when he opens up a baby shower gift and sees a little pink dress or a little pair of denim overalls.

How to Know if You Should Invite the Guys
Simply ask the mom-to-be if she wants her husband and his friends to be at the shower. She needs to enjoy the shower first and foremost. So if she doesn't want the men there, then that's the answer. After all, the baby shower is primarily for her. However, if she likes the idea of a coed baby shower, then ask her husband if he would like to go, just to make sure it's ok with him. Some guys might feel uncomfortable, which is understandable. But he might be honored by the invite and excited to participate. You never know until you ask!

How to Plan a Couples Baby Shower

1. Make up the guest list with both parents.
Have them list both her friends and his friends. He'll feel a lot more comfortable with some of his friends there.

2. Decide on a theme that both parents-to-be would enjoy.
A general baby theme is always a great choice, or a sports theme, or other hobby of the husband's (cars, cowboy, outdoors, John Deere, etc.) are some fun themes that the dad-to-be might really get into.

3. Make and send out the Couples baby shower invitations.
Have the invites match the theme you chose. You could make the invitations in the colors of the dad's favorite sports team, or buy some outdoors or cowboy / western paper, or whatever the theme may be. This lets the guys know right from the start that the theme will be something they enjoy. Also, having more than one guy there might make the dad-to-be more comfortable & more enjoyable. It's the whole "strength in numbers" thing. Be sure to mention in the invitations that it is a Couples Baby Shower.

4. Plan the food.
This is one of the most (if not the most important) aspects of a Couples baby shower that you can plan. After all, the way to a man's heart (and hence how much he enjoys the baby shower) is through his stomach. Meat is usually a good choice for your coed baby shower food. Definitely have something more hearty than salad and bundt cake. BBQ, casserole, or enchiladas are some good choices.
5. Should you have games at a Couples baby shower?
You could do it either way. This is a great question to ask the expectant mom and dad. Often, at a coed baby shower, games are not played. Instead, everyone talks, tells stories and shares parenting advice which makes for a fun, intimate party with friends and family. However, almost always, when the guys actually play the baby shower games, they really get into them. They love competition! So, games or no games, everyone will have a great time.

6. What kind of baby shower favors & prizes are good for a Couples baby shower?
Anything Edible! Guys are very predictable, which makes your job as hostess easier! Candy bars, rice krispy treats, beef jerky, cinnamon rolls, etc., inexpensive t-shirts that relate to the theme (sports teams, automobiles, Carhartt, etc.) are fun favors & prizes. Other ideas include: packages of football, baseball, or basketball cards, movie rental gift certificates, pocket-sized outdoor equipment like little flashlights or pocketknives, etc.

7. What kind of gifts are good Couples baby shower gifts?
The gifts at a coed baby shower shouldn't be much different than gifts given at a traditional girls baby shower. If this is the only baby shower a mom-to-be will have, then traditional baby shower gifts are a must, because she will still need all the diapers, clothes & burp cloths that she can get. But one or two of the gifts intended for the dad-to-be is a great way to honor and congratulate him. Be sure to have the mom and dad-to-be sit together and take turns opening the baby shower gifts. This really helps him get into the baby excitement.

Some other fun ideas for a Couples baby shower:
• Have a surprise baby shower for the dad-to-be at his office/work. Call one or two of his coworkers to plan it. He is sure to have friends at work that would love to celebrate & congratulate him on his upcoming son or daughter.
• If he is into sports, have the party during a game where everyone can eat & chat during the game and open the gifts afterwards.
• Have a cookout BBQ - Any get-together that involves an open flame is definitely a masculine party!
It is becoming more and more common to invite the men to baby showers. And, although a coed baby shower is still not quite the "norm" for traditional baby showers, most people find that Couples baby showers are usually among the most fun and memorable types of baby showers.

About the Author
Find more of Ann's baby shower articles and resources at http://www.plan-the-perfect-baby-shower.com.