LilSugar

Shower Mama-to-Be: 10 Darling Baby Shower Invitations

Nicole Abbott — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:04:31 PST

Getting ready for baby is one of the joys (and pains) of pregnancy. There's so much to get before baby arrives, like a car seat, a crib, and lots of onesies! That's why friends and family gather to shower mamas-to-be with love - and lots of presents! - at a baby shower. Check out these 10 darling baby shower invitations and invite your loved ones to celebrate mama and baby!

Couples Cocktail Party: Invitations

babysugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:00 PDT

Move over carriages and baby bottles, we're throwing a baby shower for guys and gals to attend this week. Many friends of first-time parents are often still single and sometimes weirded out by the fact that their buddy is about to have a babe. Starting with the invitation, set the tone for this celebration with a twist.

To see what party invitations I recommend,

Choose something that appeals to both sexes, but that still screams baby. These concert tickets make great invites combining the perfect amount of playfulness and all the necessary details.

On the invitation be sure to include where baby is registered – especially for those, ahem, clueless bachelors. And if you're hosting the event at a restaurant or bar, include an ending time so the mama-to-be won't be obligated to party all night!

Invitation Inspiration! 15 Supersweet Baby Shower Invites

Kate Stahl — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:24:46 PDT

When it comes to baby shower invites, there is no shortage of adorableness. Simply take a peek at Minted and Tiny Prints, and you'll already be overwhelmed by the many sweet options. But if your run-of-the-mill, available-to-anyone baby shower invitation just won't do, the following 15 invitations are sure to provide some original inspiration. From invites introducing some superspecial shower themes to those printed on balloons, wooden baby blocks, and even cloth diapers, these shower invitations are designed to wow.

Starter Guide to Planning a Baby Shower

LilSugar — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 01:43:24 PDT

Planning a baby shower can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. All you have to do is organize a gathering that makes the mommy-to-be happy and feel celebrated. Location scouting, invitations and worry aside, it's always more fun than it sounds. We've dedicated the entire month of April to planning showers of all kinds, but if you've been nominated (or volunteered) to plan a baby shower for a friend or relative you should start with the basics. For some of the most important things to consider when you start planning,

Guest list: For decades baby showers have been "ladies only" events, but times are changing. Many expectant parents opt for co-ed affairs. I suggest talking to the mommy of the day about what she's comfortable with and who she wants to be invited. It's pretty traditional to include the future grandma, extended family, closest friends and close co-workers.
Location and venue: First, make sure the growing mommy-to-be will be comfortable. My favorite baby showers are those in a home, whether it's grandma's house, your house or the mommy-to-be's home. If you prefer to do it elsewhere, consider a cute park, spa, teahouse, restaurant, dessert spot or even a bar or lounge (mommy can't drink, but bar baby showers have become popular with the increase of co-ed showers).
Theme and decor: After you've planned the location start thinking about the party's colors, flowers, decorations and theme. You should think about the new mommy's personal style and whether or not she's announced the sex of the baby. Is mama's taste classic or modern? When in doubt, go simple and whimsical.
Invites and games: If you're looking for something simple, but adorable, check out our LilSugar baby shower downloads. You can easily personalize the invites and games to include all your party details and print them on your home printer for free.

Source: Flickr User madaise

Sugar Shout Out: Quirky Wedding Invites For Geeks in Love

Brittney Stephens — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:55:41 PDT

A Whole Lotta Lil in This Week's Links

Rebecca M Gruber — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 04:22:25 PDT

It was tough, but we rounded up our 60 favorite celeb maternity styles of all time.
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These handmade baby shower gifts will wow the crowd at your next baby shower.
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We want to invite Ellen DeGeneres to our next baby shower - check out her awesome baby gifts she's given guests.
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Add these products to the baby registry for dad!

Baby Shower 411: Your Top Questions Answered

LilSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:32:43 PDT

Since there are just as many types of baby showers as there are moms-to-be, the etiquette behind hosting such an event can be a challenge. From who to invite, to how to invite them, and what to actually do once you're there, the range of "what's appropriate" varies depending on the honoree and her family/social circle, but there are some basic guidelines that everyone can adhere to. Here's our best advice:

When should the shower be held?
Typically, a shower is held four to six weeks before the baby's due date. This allows for some "wiggle room" in the event of any unexpected complications. If the mom-to-be has to travel for her shower, it's appropriate to host it even earlier, as most doctors advise staying close to home during the end of the third trimester.

Who should host the shower?
The honoree's close family or friends are typically the hostesses. Nowadays, couples showers have become increasingly popular, so your shower needn't be limited to just women (though we suggest switching up the dynamic from a luncheon or tea to an evening event or barbecue if men are included). Historically, it was considered self-serving to have the honoree's mom or mother-in-law host her shower, since there's gift-giving involved. But the practice has become much more widely accepted, and no one will bat an eye if they receive an invite from a proud grandma-to-be.

Who's invited?
This completely depends on the size of the event, but it's generally appropriate to include family, friends, and co-workers - anyone who's excited about the lil one on the way. There are varied opinions about the appropriateness of inviting long-distance guests who would have to purchase a flight or make a lengthy journey to attend the shower. We're in favor of including them as a gesture, but making sure that they don't feel obligated to attend. You may want to include a short, handwritten note, or follow up with a phone call letting these guests know that they're more than welcome, but not expected, to make the trip.

Keep reading for more of our best advice.

Ready to Pop . . . Champagne, Kettle Corn, and a Mama-to-Be!

Kate Stahl — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:29:52 PDT

"She's about to pop" inspired one of our favorite baby showers ever, but this pink- and pop-filled baby shower, planned by Los Angeles entertaining company Le Partie Sugar, might just top it.

Filled with creative "pop" ideas ranging from mini champagne bottles to popcorn to the ever-popular cake pops, this shower has high impact, but - the part we really love - it's pretty easy to re-create (especially if you pick up the invites and party package through Le Partie Sugar's Etsy store). So keep clicking and get ready to pop!

A Whole Lotta Lil in This Week's Links

Rebecca M Gruber — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 04:33:32 PDT

These baby shower-themed cake pops may be the cutest things ever!
We've found the sweetest one-of-a-kind baby shower invitations - truly drool-worthy!
They're Goop-worthy! Gwyneth Paltrow shared her favorite picks for baby and moms-to-be.
The latest designer diapers are so cute you won't want to cover them up!
We spoke with Tori Spelling about her fourth pregnancy and planning her kids' parties.
Hilary Duff showed off baby Luca - see how other celeb babies have made their public debut.
Ready, set, babyproof!
Victoria's Secret may be hidden in their water! Three models are currently expecting!
Is tighter better when it comes to maternity clothes?
Don't miss our list of baby registry essentials.

Sugar Shout Out: The Prettiest Easter Party Ideas

Brittney Stephens — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:55:50 PDT