How to plan a baby shower: the complete checklist
By Yasmine, co-founder of Baby-Hunch and mum of two.
Planning a baby shower is one of those things that sounds like a great idea until you actually start. Where do you host it? What food do you serve? Which games? And how do you organise it if it is supposed to be a surprise?
I have been through it several times: my own baby shower (twice), and I helped organise my sister's baby shower. From a small high tea with just three of us during lockdown to a full-on pink explosion at my parents' house. With this checklist you will stay on top of everything, without it turning into a second job.
When should you plan a baby shower?
The sweet spot is between 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy (around the 7th-8th month). The bump is nicely visible, the mum-to-be usually still has energy, and the baby is not about to arrive any moment. Before 20 weeks is too early (the pregnancy is still in its early stages), and after 34 weeks the expecting mother is often too tired to really enjoy it.
Start planning 3 to 4 months in advance. Send out the invitation as soon as the date is set, or create a date poll in the group chat.
Surprise or not? That depends entirely on the mum-to-be. A friend of mine actually wanted to know the date in advance so she could look forward to it. Other friends want to know nothing. Ask her partner or best friend if you are unsure.
At my sister's baby shower, my brother-in-law was responsible for "casually" bringing her to the location. The man cannot lie. My sister figured out within five minutes that something was up. Luckily it did not dampen the mood, but pro tip: choose your distraction man carefully.
Who do you invite?
Ask the mum-to-be (or her partner if it is a surprise) for input on the guest list. Think of: close friends, sisters, mother and mother-in-law, perhaps close colleagues. Men are increasingly being invited these days, but that depends on what the expecting mum wants. Keep it intimate: 8-15 people is a nice size. Too many guests and it becomes a party rather than a warm get-together.
Second or third child? Absolutely worth a baby shower too. Every child deserves to be celebrated. The gifts might be a bit more practical (nappies and onesies instead of big items), but the togetherness is just as valuable.
Choosing a venue
Most baby showers I have been to were simply at someone's home. Nice and intimate, budget-friendly, and you have full control over the atmosphere. My sister's baby shower was at my parents' house and that worked perfectly.
Other options: a tearoom or high tea venue (nice if you want someone else to handle things), a park (if the weather cooperates), or a fun Airbnb if you want something special.
Tip: whatever you choose, make sure there is a comfortable seat for the mum-to-be, enough room to move around, and easy access to a toilet without having to climb three flights of stairs.
Decorations: less is more
You do not need a Pinterest-perfect setup. A calm colour palette works wonders: cream, blush, sage and a touch of gold. Set out flowers or dried flowers, hang up a banner, and you are done.
Nice touch: create a corner with a QR code for your baby pool. Guests scan the code, fill in their prediction, and everything is saved digitally. No loose cards going missing.
A friend of mine once jokingly insisted the whole event should have a silly made-up name instead of "baby shower." Her friends picked up on it and had custom banners made with that name on them. Brilliant. The point is: tailor the atmosphere to the person it is for. Not every baby shower needs pink balloons.
Snacks and drinks
Keep it simple. Have everyone bring something (potluck-style) -- it works surprisingly well. Just coordinate in the group chat who is doing sweet and who is doing savoury.
- Sweet: cupcakes, cake pops, baby-themed biscuits, fruit, marble cake.
- Savoury: mini quiches, wraps, puff pastry bites, veggie sticks with dip.
- Drinks: tea, infused water, mocktails. Simple is good. Remember that the mum-to-be is not drinking alcohol, so make the mocktails just as festive as a real cocktail.
At my second baby shower (right in the middle of lockdown) we had a small high tea with just my mother and sister. Family and friends sent in video messages. Unexpectedly personal and one of my most treasured memories.
Games: pick three
Not more, not less. One active and hilarious, one calm, and one that runs in the background.
- Hilarious: the nappy sniff test (smear Nutella, peanut butter and mustard in nappies and have people sniff), baby charades (try acting out "breastfeeding"), or taste-testing baby food with the labels removed.
- Calm: guess the bump size with toilet paper, a baby quiz, or guess the baby photo.
- Background: a baby pool on Baby-Hunch. QR code on the table -- whoever wants to fill it in can, whoever does not want to does not have to. After the birth you will know who guessed the best.
Gifts
The best gift is something personal. A few ideas I have given (and received) myself:
- A pampering basket for the mother. Not for the baby, for her. Face masks, lotions, something for the bath, a good book, some treats and a onesie thrown in. Simple, but put together with love.
- A nappy cake. I have made three of them by now. A lot of work, but so much fun to put together and it looks amazing. Add small items: socks, a dummy, a bottle.
- Group gift card. If nobody knows what to give, pool your money for a gift card to a baby shop or online store. The parents choose what they actually need.
- The Baby-Hunch booklet as a gift. Participants in the baby pool can give the booklet as a gift to the parents. All predictions, photos and sweet messages in a hardcover booklet.
On the day itself
Start easy. A drink, a snack, catching up. Then plan one game, a food moment, gifts, and after that just chatting. Follow the pace of the mum-to-be. If she is tired, wind things down. It does not have to be perfect -- the best baby showers are the ones with a relaxed atmosphere.
Ask someone to take photos. Not the whole time, but every now and then. You will forget to take photos yourself when you are busy organising.
Plan for 2-3 hours. Long enough for everything, short enough not to be exhausting.
Seasonal tip
Winter baby shower: extra tips
In winter, "cosy" is your secret weapon. At home, at an atmospheric tearoom, or in a lovely Airbnb.
- Ambiance: warm-white fairy lights, LED candles, eucalyptus or pine greenery. Blankets and cushions on the sofa.
- Warm drinks: hot chocolate bar (marshmallows, cinnamon, whipped cream), chai latte, ginger-lemon with honey.
- Snacks: mini quiches, soups in small cups, cinnamon rolls, cake with poached pear.
A winter baby shower is also perfect for atmospheric photos. Fairy lights as a backdrop, warm tones, everyone with a mug in hand.
Budget tips
A baby shower does not have to cost a thing. Seriously.
Host it at home, have everyone bring a dish, make the decorations yourself (Pinterest is your friend), and choose free games. Starting a baby pool on Baby-Hunch is free to try (premium is a one-off fee of $4.95 if you want to see all participants). The printable QR code is free. Guessing baby photos, measuring the bump and charades cost zero.
The only thing you might spend money on: some extra decorations, a cake or the ingredients for mocktails. Budget around $20-50 total if you are smart about it.
Mini checklist (save this!)
3-4 months before
- Pick a date
- Choose a venue
- Make a guest list
1-2 months before
- Send out invitations
- Choose a theme/colours
- Select games
- Create a baby pool on Baby-Hunch
1 week before
- Coordinate snacks (who is bringing what)
- Prepare decorations
- Print the QR code
- Collect baby photos if needed
On the day
- Put up decorations
- Set out snacks
- Place QR code on the table
- Enjoy
Also read
12 fun baby shower games
From hilarious diaper challenges to a digital baby pool. Tested and approved!
Nub theory: predicting gender at 12 weeks
What is the nub theory and how reliable is it? Everything about 11, 12 and 13 weeks.
Predicting baby gender: 8 methods
From Chinese calendar to nub theory: all methods compared. Plus unique data from 74,000+ parents.
Frequently asked questions
When should you plan a baby shower?
Between 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy is ideal. The bump is nicely visible, the mum-to-be still has energy, and the baby is not about to arrive any moment.
How much does a baby shower cost?
As much or as little as you want. A home party with potluck snacks and free games can be done for under $30. A venue with catering obviously costs more, but is not necessary for an amazing party.
Does a baby shower have to be a surprise?
No, absolutely not. Some expecting mums prefer to know when it is, so they can look forward to it. Ask what they prefer (through their partner if you want to be subtle about it).
Who organises the baby shower?
Usually a best friend, sister or sister-in-law. But it can also be the partner, or a group of colleagues. Really, anyone who knows the mum-to-be well can organise it.
Should you have a baby shower for a second child?
Yes! Every child deserves to be celebrated. The baby shower can be a bit smaller or different from the first one, but the togetherness is just as valuable.