It might sound intimidating, but with the right planning and proper preparation, planning a baby shower can actually be a fun process.

Here are some helpful tips on how to plan a fun and memorable baby shower:

Decide on a date and time

If you are planning for it to be a surprise, aim to hold the party sometime in your guest of honor's 7th month in pregnancy - the perfect time where the pregnancy is safe and she's still comfortable to move around. Involve the husband in the surprise to make sure that your chosen date and time are ideal (and ask about gift ideas, too!). Otherwise, ask the mommy-to-be when she'll like to have the baby shower!

Set a budget

You don't have to carry all the expenses all by yourself (unless you can and you're willing to!), you can ask your close girlfriends to pitch in financially. The first step is to come up with the guest list. You can create the list on your own if it's a surprise baby shower or ask the guest of honor if it's not. Knowing how much you have to spend and how many people to serve will make the next steps easier.

Decide on the venue and theme

Based on your budget, choose a suitable venue for your baby shower. Depending on your budget, it can be at a café, restaurant or even at one of your friends' backyard. As for the theme and decorations, take into consideration what the mommy-to-be likes. It can be as simple as a color theme based on the baby's gender. Make sure you buy the flowers on the day of the party!

Plan the menu

Don't plan a complicated menu! Go for comfort food - salads, sandwiches, mini sliders or even pizza! If you're holding the baby shower in a backyard, a barbecue would be nice. But also make sure to ask your guest of honor for her input!

Create the program flow

Baby showers are not complicated. They usually consist of fun games related to pregnancy and babies, opening of gifts, giving advice to the mommy-to-be and generally just friends celebrating new life. Do research for fun games, good music and other forms of entertainment. Don't forget the party favors!

Follow these simple steps to planning a fun and memorable baby shower and you're sure to have a blast, especially your guest of honor and her guests!