When inviting the guys to one of these man-friendly events, skip the formality of custom or preprinted invitations and get on the information highway. E-mails, phone calls, or text messages can convey all the necessary information in a flash and it won’t get lost on a refrigerator or under a pile of bills or magazines. You should include the following information in any invitation:

• Address. Where the party will be held or where the group will meet.

• Date and time. List day of the week and date as well as the starting time and approximate ending time.

• Timeline. Let guests know when you will be leaving for a game, if you are expecting to return late, or have reservations at an eatery.

• Costs. Make guests aware of any expenses (dinner, rentals, tickets, etc.) or if they are expected to go in on a group gift.

• Special equipment needed. Tell your guests if they should bring hammers, a pound of nails, saws, paint brushes, a baseball glove, a GPS tracking system, or the like.

• Contact information. Let guests know how to respond that they are coming or not, and how they can reach you on the day of the shower. Remember, give multiple cell phone numbers, a home or work phone, or pager number, and be sure to include a way to handle emergency calls in case baby wants to arrive at party time.