Katie Sanders helped introduce her friends Hilary Lehman and Aaron Sharockman.
She served as the officiant at their wedding.
It was only fitting that Sanders would throw a baby shower for the expecting couple.
Katie Sanders threw a virtual baby shower for her two friends, Hilary Lehman and Aaron Sharockman. Photo courtesy of Aaron Sharockman
Local guests participated in a drive-by parade to send the couple well wishes before the party started online.
People said they really had a great time, Sanders said.
I was really pleased with how happy it made people feel.
[My friends] felt so loved at the end of the day.
Plus, hosting a virtual event comes with significant cost savings.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Its even possible to throw a virtual baby shower without spending any money at all.
Think about dates that are at least two weeks out.
Keep in mind that some guests may be sending gifts for the baby and could encounter shipping delays.
Block off no more than an hour or two for the celebration.
Throwing a virtual baby shower will probably take up less time than an in-person event.
Be considerate about time if youll have guests joining the party from different parts of the country.
Dont Miss:
Get Paid $225/Month While Watching Movie Previews
2.
Are you hosting a bunch of friends who love to play around with fun camera filters?
Are you keeping the baby shower small or inviting, say, everyone who attended the couples wedding?
Recruit a couple friends to help you test things out if youre unsure which service you want to use.
Features of this platform include fun camera filters, 360-degree virtual backgrounds, mood lighting and more.
Participants will need a gmail account, but signing up for one is free.
Facetime
Celebrate usingGroup FaceTimewith up to 32 loved ones.
Have fun using special filters, Animojis or Memojis during the video call.
There are no time limits for calls.
Skype
Skypes group video calling feature lets you meet with up to 50 people at once.
This service from Microsoft allows anyone to join for free.
Special features include screen sharing and background blur.
Your theme could reflect the decor of the babys nursery or the interests of the parents-to-be.
You could simply center your theme around a color palette.
Check Pinterest for ideas and inspiration.
No one even has to set foot in a store.
Retailers likeBuy Buy Baby,TargetandWalmartlet you create gift registries online.
Or you’re able to create your registry onAmazonorBabylist, adding merchandise from all over the web.
When creating a baby shower registry, its good to include a range of items at different price points.
Group giving allows multiple loved ones to split the cost of big gifts like a stroller set or crib.
Your invitations should clearly indicate that the baby shower will be a virtual one.
Include a link to the event if you have one.
Sharing tips or best practices on how to use the video conferencing platform youve chosen can be helpful.
Save money on more than just stationery and stamps by searching for free invitations online.
Sites likeEvite,Paperless PostandCanvaprovide good options to choose from.
You may also want to record the event, if possible, for the parents-to-be to rewatch later.
In that case, you should give guests a heads up.
Sanders suggests having the grandparents or older siblings provide some remarks too.
Here are a few ideas:
E-gift cards can make great prizes for whoever wins the baby shower games.
you might provide prompts, like advice for the new parents or what you want the baby to know.
Toward the end, you may have the mom-to-be open presents on camera.
Some guests may leave once gift-opening starts; others will enjoy seeing their own gift opened.
Like in-person events, some parents might want to wait until guests leave to unwrap presents.
By choosing e-cards, youll save on the additional cost of printed cards and postage.
If the baby has arrived, you might choose to send out birth announcements online, too.
Nicole Dow is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
When you log into your bank account, how do your savings look?
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
