For both of my baby showers, they lasted about 3-4 hours. I had both of them at a park. You can have them at your house, park, restaurant, almost anywhere they you feel comfortable. Send out your invitations about 1 week prior to the shower, because sending them out too early can make people forget when the time comes closer. During a baby shower, the main things to do are play games, give out party favors, open the presents, enjoy each other company!
The first thing i did before my baby shower was planned was pick a theme. It's really up to you. You may find creating a theme too much work or not your style, but having one can make the party seem more organized and streamline preparations.
If you know that your shower is going to feature baby bottles, for example, you can look for bottle-shaped invitations and bottles to use for beverages or to fill with candy for game prizes. Even if the theme is as simple as a color scheme (for instance, blue and white if the parents already know it's a boy), it's a unifying element that can simplify your job.
Baby shower games can be both silly and entertaining. Some are intended to embarrass the mom- or dad-to-be, but others can really be fun and may even teach you something. The promise of a prize, however small, adds to the enjoyment.
Here are some recommended baby shower games:
-Guess the Girth:
Check with the guest of honor in advance on this one. Some women may find it a bit too personal, but if she's not shy, it can be a lot of fun. All you need is a ball or two of string. Ask guests to cut a length of string that they think will stretch around the future mom's belly. After everyone has had a turn, the mother-to-be measures and cuts a string that fits her belly. Compare her string to all the guests' pieces of string. The person who was closest wins. You'll be amazed at what people's estimates are. It's a great icebreaker and always good for some laughs.
-Melt the Ice:
The day before the shower, freeze diaper pins, miniature pacifiers, tiny plastic babies, or similar items in ice cube trays. Give each guest an ice cube in a glass of water or other drink. The first person whose ice has melted so that the frozen item floats freely in the glass shouts, "My water broke!" and wins the game.
-Don't Say "Baby":
Give every guest a clothespin to attach to her clothing and wear during the shower. Tell everyone not to say the word "baby" for the rest of the shower. If someone hears another guest say the forbidden word (and it's hard not to say it!), she gets to take the other guest's clothespin(s). The winner? Whoever has the most clothespins at the end of the shower.
-Swaddle/Dress the Baby:
Get a life-size baby doll, receiving blanket, cloth diaper, diaper wrap, and onesie. Guests take turns trying to either dress or swaddle the baby. Time each guest — the one who does it fastest wins.
No one should come to a party assuming they'll receive anything except good company and a bit of refreshment. But it's common — especially at showers — for the host or hostess to give the guests favors and/or prizes for winning games. You can give everyone the same favor at the end of the party (that way everyone's covered, even those who didn't win a game) or award different prizes throughout the event. Some good favors and prizes are candles, gift certificates, cookie cutters with blue/pink ribbons on them, etc.
The easiest way to serve food at a shower is to set up a buffet or a bunch of small plates and bowls of appetizers, vegetables and dip, or cookies and sweets around the room in which the shower's being held. Serving finger foods lets guests nibble and try different things throughout the party and may encourage them to mingle: Put the chips on one side of the room and the cherry tomatoes on another and people will be circulating before you know it.