Organize Your Web Baby Shower
Much like a traditional baby shower, an online baby shower requires some preparation and organization. Here are some tips to help you get ready for your online celebration.
- Designate one person to be the host and have that person delegate from there.
When you request a Web Baby Shower you can also list "additional hosts" to give credit to everyone who helped you out.
- Get ready to request your Web Baby Shower
Here is a quick checklist of the information you will need when you request your Web Baby Shower. Even though you will be able to make changes once your request is approved, it's always easier to start off right!
Required Information at the time of payment:
- Host's name, address, phone, email and payment information
- Mother's First AND Last name (confirm spelling)
- Mother's Estimated Due Date
- (optional) Her partner's first and last name*
Information to gather as you customize your Web Baby Shower:
- Host/Additional hosts Introduction
- A welcome message for your Guest Book
- Online Baby Registry Information
*Because it involves computers, men are actually very receptive to participating in an online shower. However, if your shower is for a single mom be sensitive as to whether she wants the father included as his name will be displayed at the top of the shower page with hers.
Now you are all set to complete your Web Baby Shower Request
- Surprise!
You can have a "surprise" shower online. It's almost too easy to keep it a secrect -- just don't email the mom-to-be about it until everyone has had a chance to post a message for her. She will love reading everyone's messages online and being able to post replies. This is an excellent way to cheer up expecting moms who have been restricted to bed rest.
However, not all showers should be a surprise. Moms also appreciate being involved from the begining and will probably help out with photos and other details that are difficult to co-ordinate without her. Much like a traditional baby shower, you should decide in advance whether a surprise online shower is appropriate.
If you do choose to have a surpise Web Baby Shower, make sure you mention that in your invitations and set your Privacy to "medium" or "high" so that your expecting mom doesn't accidentally stumble across her Web Baby Shower beforehand.
- Collect email addresses of friends and family
While you're waiting for your Web Baby Shower request to be approved, you can start putting together a list of as many family and friends' email addresses to invite to the online shower. Some hosts who have more mailing addresses than email addresses find it easier to mail printed invitations, which is fine with me although Web Baby Shower currently does not offer any assistance with printed invitations.
- There is no limit to the number of guests you can have at Web Baby Shower (we'll all fit, don't worry!). More often than not people enjoy being able to participate online
- Again, don't forget the guys!! Men might be a radical concept at traditional showers but not-so for online showers
- Ask your guests to forward your emails to anyone else they think would like to know about the shower
- Use your Web Baby Shower Guest List Manager to keep track of everyone you've invited and keep sending them reminders to join the fun when you start the shower, upload photos, play games, announce the birth and so forth. Everyone's email address will be kept private and only used when you decide to send them a message.
- Use the Web Baby Shower Guest List Manager
Once your Web Baby Shower is approved, you will receive instructions for using the Guest List Manager to enter all of the email addresses and send an email invitation. This list will be kept on file for the duration of your online shower so that you can easily send reminders to everyone as the online shower progresses, and when the baby is born. You can also add, remove, and edit guests throughout the life of your Web Baby Shower. Everyone's email address be kept private and only used when you send a message. In addition, your guests will also be able to opt-out of receiving emails via the Guest List Manager (this is required in order to comply with anti-spam legislation).
If you prefer, you can keep track of your guest list in your own email program and send emails yourself -- you are still welcome to use the messages in the Guest List Manager.
- Once your online shower gets going, you can choose to play games (included with your Web Baby Shower) and instantly announce the baby's birth -- but you can wait a little while before tackling those. When you're ready see: Instant Birth Announcements.
I hope this information has been helpful in chosing to have an online shower and getting it organized! Please email me with any questions, suggestions or comments. Thanks!
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