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Showers of Blue

Giving Dads-to-Be a Day of Their Own

By Gina Roberts-Grey, LCSW

As much as you know what his favorite cologne may be or just how much salt to add to his popcorn, you may not know what the latest trend in fishing equipment is. In other words, it might not be a bad idea to turn to one of the father-to-be's friends or a male relative to gain insight into how a group of men might want a shower to be.

"I suggest talking to your partner's brother, best friend or a close relative to help plan the event," says Patti Puma of Cicero, N.Y. As a mother who helped throw her husband a father's shower, she learned how having a man's perspective helped her plan a terrific theme. You also might discover a buddy with tickets for a sporting event the gang can incorporate into the celebration.

If you're planning a surprise remember you'll need help keeping Dad in the dark and getting him to the party on time. "Someone to handle sending out invitations and fielding questions will be beneficial to making this a stress-free day for everyone," Puma adds.

If you're going for a sporty theme, consider using baseballs or footballs as invitations. Using spray mount, you can affix the printed invitations to the item of your choice to make a fun, masculine and memorable invitation.

Instead of using almonds wrapped in lace as favors, Traci Devlin of Milwaukee, Wis., opted for commemorative baseball hats touting her brother's favorite team. "We stuffed them with popcorn and peanuts for a great take-home gift," Devlin says. Tying a note that has the date of the party the baby's due date and a simple thank you also can double as a thank-you note.

Want to see more?

• Start a diary!
• What is Dad's Role? A Quiz for Fathers-to-Be
• Putting Yourself in Her Shoes: Sympathy-Building Exercises for the Dad-to-Be
• Talk about it!

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