A long distance baby shower is for when mothers won't be attending the physical party. Most of the time, baby showers are held around the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy. But for some mothers who live far away from family, this presents a problem.

It is very likely that this late in the game many pregnant women will have been told not to travel. So how can you throw a baby shower for out-of-town moms? A long distance baby shower can be both creative and helpful even when the mom-to-be can't be there.

One way to work around this problem is to gather your guests and have the party without her. Sounds cruel, but it works. Make sure that you have a video camera, a still camera and plenty of film for this type of long distance baby shower.

Ask the baby shower guests to come with unwrapped gifts which they can wrap at the party. You can play baby shower games for your long distance baby shower such as one that guesses the baby's birth date, weight, or sex (if you don't already know).

Since mom-to-be won't be there. You can use this time to have everyone tell funny stories about her. Or tell how they each know her.

Videotape the whole party (you may have to edit it later)for the long distance shower. Then have each guest say something to the mom-to-be on camera. This can be a wish for the baby, congratulations, or offers to help when they are in town.

Use decorations that can double as gifts, like onesies, diapers, booties, and bibs. Take lots of pictures and send these along with the gifts, videotape, and decorations to the mom-to-be. You may even be able to have a miniature version of the cake made that you can wrap carefully and send as well for the long distance shower.

Another alternative is to have the party "hostess" send baby shower invitations for the long distance baby shower would-be guests. Ask them to send their baby shower gifts directly to her, the baby shower hostess. Included in the baby shower invitations could be a request to play a baby shower game such as who will the baby look like, when will the baby be born, and so on.

These can all be packaged up for the mom-to-be as one big baby shower gift. Because the baby shower "hostess' will most likely be sending the package, she may want to suggest small items and gift certificates, which are easier to ship.

Online baby showers, or virtual baby showers, another type of long distance baby shower, are also a big thing now. The baby shower "hostess" registers with the online baby shower site. Then sends baby shower invitations either via email or snail mail for people to attend the baby shower.

The guests can log in anytime for the virtual baby shower between the time the party is started, and one month after the baby is born. You can leave messages for absentee parents on the site as well as purchase gifts from her registry.

Guests can also catch a glimpse of the belly with pictures posted on the online baby shower site. (Each Party is invitation only and private, so only those you want to join in can.) Some of them will also host a live party via a chat room as a type of long distance baby shower.

Inevitably, there will be some people who are unable to attend regardless of how the baby shower party is hosted. In this case, here are a few suggestions. In case they want to send a baby shower gift anyway:

Instead of buying online and having items shipped to mommy-to-be, call her local store to buy bigger items (crib, stroller, high chair, etc.) over the phone. The store can hold the items there. Then she can pick them up when she is ready. Then send her a card. Mention that she has a baby shower gift waiting at the store for her.

Other items for a long distance baby shower. Smaller items such as layette and bath stuff can be purchased online and shipped to her. Most baby registries will appear in the store as well as on the store's website.

Another alternative is to send a gift certificate or money. Both make excellent gifts for a long distance baby shower.

? Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has dozens more baby shower related articles such as Invitations for Baby Showers, Party Games for Baby Showers and Baby Shower Party Favors.