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WHAT IS A BABY SHOWER & HOW TO PLAN ONE: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

ORIGINALLY POSTED: 9 May 2022

Baby Shower Harry Potter Swaddles

Expecting parents aren’t the only ones excited when there’s a baby on the way! Grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, friends, and other loved ones will also be excited and ready to celebrate the new bundle of love.

The perfect way to do that is with a celebration like a baby shower! Keep reading to learn answers to questions like “what is a baby shower,” “what do you do at a baby shower,” “when do you have a baby shower,” and more!

Types of baby showers 

Traditional baby shower

This is one of the more common baby shower types. A traditional baby shower is usually gendered theme or gendered neutral with mom-to-be as the guest of honor and primarily women in attendance. However, nowadays we are seeing more and more hostesses including dad as well in the festivities.

A sprinkle

This is typically a small baby shower (hence while it’s called a “sprinkle” as opposed to a full on “shower”). These low-key events are typically held for a mom’s second, third, fourth child. It can be especially helpful for parents who are having a baby of a different gender than they already have.

Post baby shower

Also referred to as a “sip-and-see,” this type of baby shower is held after a baby is born. It is intended for close friends and family to come meet the new little one, bring gifts, and enjoy light refreshments.

When to have a baby shower

There’s no specific rule or answer to the question of “when should you have a baby shower?” It all comes down to your schedule and personal preference.

Typically, traditional baby showers take place 4-6 weeks before the due date. This is because the later in pregnancy a woman is her chances of miscarriage or complications decrease. Plus, at that point, the expecting parents will be starting to get their home prepared and ready for their new bundle of joy!

How to throw a baby shower

The expectant mother does not typically host or plan her own baby shower. The planning is usually done by a loved one or a combination of loved ones. So first, you need to determine who is going to be hosting the shower and check with the mother-to-be on dates, locations, style, and any ideas she might have.

How to plan a baby shower

After deciding who is throwing the shower and getting the all clear from the guest of honor, it’s time to start planning! Here’s a simple step-by-step suggestion for getting the baby shower planning process going:

  1. Determine the basics. Think who, what, when, and where (and be sure to include the expecting mom in the process)
  2. Make out a guest list. If you’re wondering, “how many people to invite to baby shower?” The answer is–it’s totally up to you, the expecting parents, and size of your location! The size of a baby shower can vary from a few close friends to 50 people if you would like.
  3. Determine the baby shower theme. This is where you can have a lot of fun and be creative! Learn more about baby shower themes in the next section below.
  4. Purchase theme supplies, including decorations and invitations.
  5. Send out invitations! Be sure to do this at least a month before the event.
  6. Plan the menu. You can stick to the theme or whatever the parents-to-be enjoy/prefer.
  7. Plan the activities. Again, you’ll want to get the parents-to-be input on what they would prefer. Many choose to play baby-themed games with small prizes for their guests such as bobbing for dummys, nappy change relay race, or baby shower bingo,
  8. Purchase/make decorations, baby shower favours, and flowers.
  9. Put it all together on baby shower day!

Baby shower themes

When it comes to picking a baby shower theme, it can be hard because there are so many fun choices! You’ll want to consider what the expecting parents like and enjoy or are passionate about. You’ll also want to find out if they are wanting a gender themed shower or wanting to keep it more gender neutral.

Baby shower themes for boys

A baby shower boy theme can be super fun! You also don’t need to feel like you have to stick to “blues.” Here’s a list of some baby boy shower ideas:

  • Dinosaurs theme. This is also great if the parents are big fans of Jurassic Park!
  • Nautical-theme. Boats, anchors, whales, and more!
  • Cowboy theme. There’s a ton of cute Western decor out there if the expecting parents are into country music.
  • Mustache-theme. This is a super simple but very cute baby shower boy theme. Everyone gets a laugh out of a good mustache, especially on a baby!

Baby shower themes for girls

Choosing a baby shower girl theme is also a super fun route to take if that is what you’re wanting. Again, don’t feel limited to “pretty pinks.” Here’s a list of some baby shower ideas for girls:

  • Unicorn theme. Go whimsical and magical with pastel colors with this fun feminine theme.
  • Lady bug theme. Forget pink all together and use red! This can be such a sweet theme to welcome a little ladybug into the world.
  • Paris theme. If the parents love to travel, use that for inspiration! This can be a very chic and classic theme for parents expecting a little girl.
  • Wonder Woman theme. Celebrate the new baby girl by focusing heavily on girl power!

How to decorate a baby shower table

Once you've determined your theme, you'll be able to develop a list of baby shower decoration ideas. You'll use these decorations throughout the party, but the primary centerpiece will be the baby shower table. When you decorate a baby shower table, you'll want to include:

  • Theme specific decorations
  • Food
  • Drink
  • Flowers

You'll want to set up a separate table or space for gifts and favors to not overcrowd the center table!

Baby shower food ideas

You want to make sure you carefully plan out the baby shower food options in regards to quality and quantity. When it comes to the food, you definitely have some creative freedom but you’ll also want to take into consideration your budget, the number of people you need to feed, any dietary restrictions for mom, as well as her personal preferences.

Whether you want to do a full menu or just finger food, here are some options for savory food to serve at a baby shower:

  • Cheese and crackers
  • Olives and pickles
  • Swedish meatballs
  • Egg or spring rolls
  • Deviled eggs
  • Quiche or quiche bites
  • Bruschetta
  • Bacon-wrapped dates
  • Mini-sliders
  • Chips and dip

In addition to the savoury snacks you serve, baby shower cakes also draw a lot of attention! You’ll need to determine what kind of sweet treat you will offer guests. You can definitely use a cake as a centerpiece, but you can also serve:

  • Theme-decorated cookies
  • Cake pops
  • Cupcakes or mini cupcakes
  • Brownies
  • Chocolate dipped strawberries
  • Fruit salad
  • Trifle
  • Chocolate fondue fountain with fruit

Finally, you’ll want to consider what beverages pair best with whatever food you are serving. Some options besides water to consider include:

  • Tropical punch
  • Theme mocktails
  • Iced tea
  • Coffee or hot chocolate
  • Homemade soda bar
  • Lemonade

Baby shower gifts

One of the last steps of throwing (or attending) a baby shower is making sure you’ve gotten a gift. Many parents will create a registry through popular platforms such as Baby List or individual vendors like Amazon. This information should be included in invitations.

If there isn’t a list to choose from, an appropriate baby shower gift is one that would be useful to the expectant parents. Here are some ideas:

  • Nappys. Not just in newborn size either! It's helpful to get parents a variety of sizes as babies grow quickly.
  • Swaddle blankets. Like aden + anais's Disney essentials cotton muslin swaddle
  • Baby swings/bouncers. There are a variety of options when it comes to these, but you’ll want to find one that can grow with a baby.
  • Gear. These are big items like car seats, cots, high chairs, etc. These gifts can be great to go in on with a friend or two as they can be on the pricier side.
  • Clothes. Be sure these are practical clothes, not necessarily fancy outfits (although those are cute). Think onesies and zip pajamas.

How to have a virtual baby shower

Virtual baby showers are becoming more commonplace, and it is amazing to see some of the creative ways people are still bringing everyone together to celebrate a mom-to-be. If you’re trying to figure out how to host a virtual baby shower, don’t worry! In many ways, a virtual baby shower is less-stressful than an in-person one, but it can be just as fun.

Here are some virtual baby shower ideas to keep in mind as you plan:

  • Choose your tech platform first.How will everyone be gathering virtually–Zoom, Skype, Google Hangout? Nowadays, these are not the only options. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, platforms like WebBabyShower have really taken off to help people host virtual baby showers.
  • You can still have a theme. You can incorporate the theme into everything from the custom Zoom background to games to thank you cards sent to guests.
  • Be prepared for things to be more casual. While virtual baby showers are a great alternative when in-person isn’t an option, it isn't the same. So be prepared for a more relaxed and casual overall feel as you celebrate the mom-to-be.

What to wear to a baby shower

As the big day approaches, baby shower attendees need to figure out what they’ll be wearing! Like with weddings and other major events, there is not a “one-size-fits-all approach” when it comes to dress code. In fact, when it comes to baby showers the attire can widely vary from country club classic to backyard bbq.

As you decide on your outfit, here is what you need to consider:

  • The season. Baby showers in the winter call for different (aka warmer) attire than baby showers that take place in the summer or spring. Cute sweaters and blazers, as well as adding leggings to a fun dress are perfect for the colder months.
  • The location. Where the baby shower takes place can tell you a lot about what to wear. If the baby shower is outside, you’ll want to dress for the occasion with a light summer dress or cute shorts and a top. If the event is being held at the local country club, you might consider stepping it up a notch with a longer dress or slacks with a blouse.
  • Your personal preference. At the end of the day, you won’t enjoy yourself if you aren’t comfortable! Find an outfit that works for the occasion and for you.

Baby shower checklist

Taking this all in, it’s time to get planning! To help you get started planning your loved one’s baby shower, use the helpful checklist below to keep you on track.

2-3 months in advance

  • Set date, time and location
  • Prepare guest list
  • Decide on theme

4-5 weeks in advance

  • Mail invites
  • Plan out food/catering

2-3 weeks in advance

  • Confirm guest list
  • Make/buy decorations
  • Order any floral decorations
  • Plan out games, activities, prizes, etc.
  • Buy present

1-2 weeks in advance

  • Finalize guest list
  • Delegate tasks such as picture taking, greeting guests, etc.

2 days in advance

  • Prepare non-perishable food
  • Confirm any order pick-ups

1 day in advance

  • Prepare perishable food
  • Clean up
  • Pick up any floral and/or balloon decorations
  • Start decoration set-up
    Morning of baby shower
  • Finalize decor
  • Display food and beverages
  • Have fun!