There's a baby on the way. The prospect of a new baby is one of the most exciting and hotly anticipated occurrences many people ever have. While there are many milestones people experience - marriage, graduations, death - few come close to the thrill of a new life mingling with one's own and the lives of those who are important to you. Of course this happy occasion calls for a celebration. In the case of a baby being born, a baby shower needs to happen.

Many who want to celebrate the addition of a new life in the world ponder about who is the best prospect for throwing a shower. There are many answers to this dilemma. Close friends are the most obvious. Former bridesmaids will often find themselves blessed with the opportunity of throwing a shower. Sisters and even brothers are another obvious family choice for a shower host. An aunt or a close friend of the mother or mother-in-law are also the perfect option for a baby shower host(ess). A boss at work or a few co-workers are other perfect people to host a baby shower.

Truly anyone who has a close tie to the new parents are the perfect choice for the baby shower host. Typically you want to have a relationship with the parents so that you are able to check in with them frequently, anticipate what they may want at the shower - in terms of theme, place, invites, food, timing, etc. Not only are you hosting a shower, you are making sure that the guest of honor is comfortable with those in attendance and what happens during the festivities.

Can a person have too many baby showers? No!! With so many blended families, jobs and distances between families, it is very common to have more than one, sometimes even three or four showers for a baby and mom-to-be.

Speaking of the mom-to-be, she is one person who will obviously attend all the baby showers but she definitely should NOT be expected to put on the baby shower. Likewise, the grandmothers on either side of the family should also not throw the baby shower. As a rule, the expectant mother is to be "showered" with attention and the mother and mother-in-law of the mom-to-be should focus their energies on making sure their daughter is comfortable and taken care of.

Finally, the dad-to-be....What about him? No, he should not host a shower either. He can, however, help load all the baby gifts into the car afterwards.