Finding out you're pregnant is wonderful and exciting news. For the new mother-to-be, however, knowing what items she must have for her new baby and then where to find them can be a huge and daunting task.

The first thing a new Mom-to-be needs to do is to make a list of all the things the baby will need as soon as possible so that each item can be purchased a few at a time and readied for the baby's arrival. How can family and friends help the new mommy get everything her newborn will need in advance of the big date? The age-old practice of throwing a baby shower of course! The mom can sit back and enjoy the day while her friends and family shower her with gifts and goodies for herself and the newborn.

With a baby shower, the burden of searching and looking for baby stuff is passed on to the guests. But for the folks hosting the baby shower some questions must be answered before the day of the party. First you must plan the baby shower. The best idea is to have a theme that would guide the flow of the baby shower. There are several ways of choosing and deciding on a theme. In case you already know the gender of the baby, pink or blue is used to universally represent a baby girl or a baby boy. How about a character-themed baby shower such as Rubber Duckies, Winnie the Pooh, or a Nursery Rhyme theme? It could also be a time-of-the-day baby shower where each guest will bring something the baby would need during a specific time of the day.

From Unique-Gifts-for Baby, some suggestions for wonderful baby shower gift ideas are a baby gift basket, a layette gift set, beautiful baby bedding, a baby shower diaper cake, or a baby gift certificate. Each gift idea is unique.

For the baby gift basket, some ideas are to create your own baby gift basket or go for the classical clothing baby gift basket. You can also find personalized baby gift baskets, fun baby baskets, mother and baby baskets, gift baskets for twins, or a pampering baby gift basket. They also have different suggestions for baby girls and baby boys.

After the baby shower, moms need to take an inventory of what was received and what is still needed for the new baby. Make sure to purchase these items well in advance of the baby's arrival date.

Some final tips for a successful baby shower: plan the event four to six weeks before the due date, decide on a theme, compose the guest list, plan party games and the menu, create baby shower party favors, and last but not the least, set the time and location. Remember, to have fun, but keep the baby shower simple and sweet and take lots of pictures or video to create memories to last forever.

Sherry Frewerd

Sherry Frewerd is a busy work at home mom of 3. Discover for yourself how she is creating a better quality of life for herself and family by building a successful Watkins home business. Visit her slow cooker website for delicious crock pot recipes at Family Crock Pot Recipes. Sherry is also a family child care provider and publishes an early childhood resource website for parents and family child care providers at Family Play and Learn. Find out how she does it all and still remains sane at her blogs 'There's More to Life Than Food' and 'Recipes to Live By'.