Essential Shopping Guide for Newborns

Getting the Baby Shower You Want

Enjoying Your Baby Shower: 3 Tried-and-True Tips continued...

•    Don't sweat the details.

 "Figure out what's important to you and let go of the little stuff," says Crimmins. If you try to micro-manage decorations and favors, you'll wear out yourself as well as the hostess. "A stressed-out planner equals a stressed-out party," says Russell.

•    Accept the party on its own terms.

If you find yourself the center of attention at a baby shower that wasn't what you had in mind, relax and enjoy it for what it is -- and for the thought and effort that went into it. "Any excuse to sit around and have people give you (or your baby) presents is fun," says Spencer. "It's also a good rehearsal for parenthood to learn that you can't control everything."