These days it’s not just women who attend baby showers. Couples can also celebrate the big event. One way to get everyone involved and interested is to throw a poker party.

Get organized

There are websites available to help you organize this party; there is no point in reinventing the wheel. A simple search revealed a number of helpful sites on how to host a Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament at home or one that uses other standard poker games. There are plenty of product reviews, forums, and lots of information about different types of poker chips, playing cards, clothing, and all sorts of accessories. It may also be wise to look in your local yellow pages for places where you can rent poker party accessories such as poker chips, playing cards, or other items, rather than invest money in these items if they will not be used again. The party planner may also ask guests to bring poker chips or decks of cards that can be used for the night.

Decor

Use tables that can seat 6-8 people comfortably. Cover the tables with green felt or perhaps green plastic tablecloths to create a poker room atmosphere. You will need poker chips, playing cards, and copies of the rules for each table. You can also get some player visors and dealer buttons for the dealers. These can be found on many websites. Stringing Christmas-style lights around the room also adds ambience.

food to serve

This type of themed baby shower party calls for something casual and hearty that both men and women will enjoy. A large 6 foot submarine sandwich would certainly fit the bill and feed up to 30 people. Tell the substore or supermarket making the sandwich how many people are expected to attend the party, and they can judge what size sandwich to make. Have several guests bring a bowl of potato or macaroni salad, perhaps baked beans and chips, salsa, pretzels, and the like. Obviously, soft drinks, wine, and beer or other beverages will go well with this theme.

gifts

For a party like this, guests can bring individual gifts, or the party planner can suggest that couples go together and purchase an item that is more expensive. Good ideas would include baby furniture if needed, or perhaps a baby bike trailer if the parents-to-be are cyclists. If one of you is a runner, a jogging stroller is also a great idea.

Baby Betting Bonus Game

To keep the baby shower theme alive, another game of betting can be held before or after the poker games. Make a grid with approximately the same number of squares as guests. For example, if there are 28 people at the party, make a grid of seven squares on top and 4 squares down. Along the top, place the expected due date above the center box and the dates before and after the due date above the corresponding columns. Along the side, place various estimates of how much weight the baby might be, such as 6 lbs.- 6 lbs. 12 oz. in the bottom row. The next row up could be 6 pounds. 12 oz. to 7 pounds 8 ounces, etc. Then each guest chooses a square and writes her name on it, similar to playing soccer. This way everyone can guess the day the baby will arrive and her weight. Call the winner after the birth and let him know that he has won.

Baby showers for couples are becoming more popular, and attention should be paid to men, as they will not be interested in silly games and lactation idle talk. A poker party baby shower can be organized in a way that is enjoyable for all the guests, both men and women.