From Bumps to Brunch – Tips to Hosting a Baby Shower at Galuppi’s

Planning a baby shower is a big deal: it’s not only an opportunity for people to gift an expecting mother with everything she needs for her little one, but a celebration of new life. If you’re hosting this special occasion for someone, naturally, you want everything to be perfect, from the venue to the theme and food.

At Galuppi’s, we’re more than just a restaurant, but also an ideal baby shower venue. Follow our guide to host an unforgettable day, with no detail left unseen.

Baby Shower Tips: Back To Basics

The ideal baby shower venue can hold the expected number of guests and is also a place that is meaningful for the mother. You may also want to consider a place with access to strong WiFi if you are considering streaming the event for out-of-town attendees,

To help decide on a venue, first create the guest list. A small gathering doesn’t need a ton of space, whereas a large gathering needs more. Consider whether the event will be co-ed and kid-friendly.

Most baby showers happen in the third trimester, roughly two months before the expected due date. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, however, but more of a guideline. You’ll want to look at venues that have availability then. Keep in mind that a date too close to the mother’s due date may be difficult, as the mother may be feeling more tired.

Create And Send The Invitations

Once you have an idea of who is invited, the next step is creating invitations. This can be done using online tools, such as Evite or Punch Bowl. Or perhaps you prefer an old-school approach, with printed paper. There are no rules! A printed baby shower invitation can be saved and put in a scrapbook, while virtual invitations don’t require the cost of stamps. Ask the mother what she prefers.

Whatever format you choose, to give guests adequate time to plan, be sure to send the invitations roughly four weeks before the event.

Choose Your Shower Theme

Once the foundational aspects – guests, baby shower venue, and invitations – are planned, here comes the fun part: choosing the theme! This is where you can get creative. Baby shower themes are fun because they often showcase part of the mother’s personality.

For example, if the mom is a book lover, perhaps a children’s book theme will be just right. You can find printouts of classic children’s book titles, such as Goodnight Moon or Charlotte’s Web, online, and hang them around the venue. Use these books in physical form as table centerpieces. Request that guests bring their favorite children’s book as a shower gift.

Or perhaps the shower will be modeled after the theme of the baby’s nursery (say, jungle animals) or due date (think fall decor). If you’re still drawing blanks, consider what the mother already enjoys.

Baby shower decorations can be simple or elaborate: there are no rules! You can stick to a welcome sign, simple centerpieces, balloons, or flowers if you wish. Some moms may want to save the decorations to decorate the baby’s nursery, while others prefer a minimalist approach. What you do depends on your planning desires, as well as those of the woman you are showering. If you feel stuck, the Internet has you covered with thousands of decor ideas.

If you are planning to host the shower via Zoom, don’t forget about a fun background to make viewers feel more connected.

Consider Your Menu

Baby showers are for celebrating, and nothing says “celebration” like good food and themed drinks. Consider the mom’s favorite foods, or better yet, ask her what she’s been craving! The food can coordinate with the venue decor in terms of color and theme. Consider book-shaped cookies, or cupcakes with animal-themed decorative sticks.

If simple is the preferred style, consider decorative fruit baskets, charcuterie boards, ice cream, or taco bars. For drinks, you can offer alcohol, but make sure there are mocktails available for Mom!

At Galuppi’s, customized menus for those with food sensitivities are available.

Get Creative With Shower Games

Sure, guests will enjoy chatting and milling about, but nothing says “Baby shower” quite like themed games. They are also a good thing to have planned just in case there are awkward silences and you need to help break the ice (this can happen if guests don’t all know each other). You may want to plan one big activity or a few smaller ones. Games don’t just fill up time, but also help make the event memorable. ​​​​​​

If you’re looking for some ideas, here are a few to get started:

• Have guests decorate plain white onesies for the baby
• Collect laundry line pins, and have guests wear them every time they say the word “baby.” Whoever has the least amount of pins by the end of the event is the winner.
• Have guests sign a guest book or children’s book, including advice for the new mom
• Form a circle and have guests share their favorite memory of the new mom, or a favorite childhood memory

The Perfect South Florida Baby Shower Venue

Planning a baby shower for a good friend or family member is an honor, and Galuppi’s makes it easy, you also have access to our preferred vendor list of locals to expand your options further.

If you’re planning to host a baby shower, give Galuppi’s a call at 954-785-0226 to reserve your desired date. Our event coordinators are excited to work with you for a day you won’t forget.