If you've reached the third trimester of pregnancy, it will almost feel surreal that you will be meeting your little one soon, and with that you might be looking to plan a baby shower before their arrival.
A baby shower is an American tradition that's now popular in the UK. It's where the expectant mum is 'showered' with gifts for her unborn baby, and she gets to spend some quality time with those she loves before baby's arrival.
But planning the perfect baby shower can be a little daunting, right? Fun games that everyone will want to play, decorations that don't cost the earth, a fun baby shower theme, the right food options and even who to invite - the list can seem endless.
Whether you're expecting and you've taken on the organisation yourself or you're a close friend of the mum-to-be and you need some guidance on how to organise a baby shower, we are here to help.
From tips on what games to play, a gift lift inspiration and how to plan the special day - we have it all.
1. Themed Showers
You could center the shower around classic children’s books for example, Goodnight Moon or The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and decorate with book-themed centerpieces and ask guests to bring a favorite childhood book for the baby’s library. This is great as it creates a book collection for the baby while adding a creative twist to the décor.
2. Woodland Creatures design
Use cute forest animals like foxes, owls, and deer for a cozy, rustic atmosphere. This theme works well with neutral tones and soft decorations. This is grest for gender neutral baby showers, giving it a natural, and calming vibe.
3. DIY Craft Stations
Set up a table with plain onesies and fabric markers, paints, or iron-on decals. Guests get to design custom clothing for the baby, which becomes a keepsake for the parents. The is great for interacting and leaves the parents with unique, sentimental items to dress the baby in.
4. Build-a-Mobile
Guests contribute by making a piece to hang on a baby mobile. Provide materials like beads, ribbons, or felt shapes for guests to design small trinkets. This creates a personalized nursery item, with each guest contributing to the baby’s environment.
5. Guess the Baby Food
Blindfold guests and have them taste different baby food flavors, asking them to guess the flavors. Use traditional baby jars or make homemade purées. Fun and hilarious, this game gets everyone laughing, especially with unusual flavor combinations.
6. Who’s That Baby?
Ask guests to bring their own baby photos, then display them for everyone to guess who’s who. The one who guesses the most correctly wins a prize. It’s a nostalgic icebreaker that also adds a personal touch by connecting guests to their baby selves.
7. Memory or Advice Jar
Set up a station where guests can write down advice, tips, or encouraging notes for the parents-to-be. These are collected in a jar or small box for the parents to read after the shower. This offers practical support and heartfelt advice for the new parents to look back on.
8. Wishes for Baby
Guests write down their hopes, dreams, or words of wisdom for the baby’s future. These notes are often kept as a sentimental keepsake. It’s a beautiful way to shower the baby with love before they’re born, and it creates a meaningful memory for the family.
9. Photo Booth with Baby-Themed Props
Set up a corner with a backdrop and baby-themed props like pacifiers, bottles, or baby bibs. Guests can take fun, themed photos with signs saying things like “Mom-to-be” or “Future Babysitter.”
10. Cravings Bar
A snack station with foods the mom-to-be has been craving—whether it’s pickles, chocolate, or ice cream. It’s playful and connects the shower to the pregnancy journey. It adds a personal touch, making the mom feel special while offering guests a unique snack experience. Or why not serve non-alcoholic drinks with cute names like “Baby Bellini” or “Mama-to-be Mojito.” Provide a variety of fruity mocktails that everyone can enjoy.
11. Cake Reveal
The inside of a specially-made cake reveals the baby’s gender when it is cut. The cake can be plain on the outside, but when sliced, it reveals pink or blue cake layers. Combines dessert with the gender reveal for a sweet surprise.
12. Favor Ideas
Gift each guest a small potted plant with a tag that says, “Watch me grow!” It ties into the theme of growth and new life. It’s a thoughtful and eco-friendly gift that guests can take home and nurture, much like the new baby.
13. Virtual Baby Shower
Plan a virtual baby shower where guests can participate remotely using video conferencing. Play games like baby trivia, virtual bingo, or guessing games with virtual prizes. Perfect for families and friends who live far away, ensuring they can still celebrate together.
14. Alternative to Traditional Gift Opening
Rather than opening gifts one by one, have guests display their wrapped gifts on a designated table. Each gift is labeled with the giver’s name, and everyone can admire them throughout the party. It saves time and keeps the focus on mingling and activities rather than a prolonged gift-opening session.
When should I throw a baby shower?
It's important to choose the right time for your baby shower. If you have already had a gender reveal party, you want to make sure that you don't plan you baby shower to close to the reveal.
Many mums to be have their baby shower at around 36 weeks pregnant. By then, you are normally on maternity leave and have finished work, making it the perfect time to have one.
You might choose to have your baby shower earlier, so that you can relax and enjoy the last month of your pregnancy.
Where should I have a baby shower?
There are a few places you could choose to have your baby shower.
At home: by staying at home, the baby shower will feel a lot more intimate and you don't have to worry about leaving the house to set up a venue with decorations.
At a family members or friends: similar to staying at home, you can save costs on hiring a venue and it can be a nice surprise walking into a loved ones and seeing it transformed.
At a venue: whether it's somewhere that hosts afternoon tea, or an event room, by hiring a venue for the baby shower it can save you some planning. A lot of places offer their own catering, so you won't have to worry about cooking!
How many hours should a baby shower be?
A baby shower should usually last up to two hours. That gives your guests and family plenty of time to eat or snack, have a chat with the mom-to-be, play games and have a laugh.
Do you open gifts at baby shower?
This is a personal choice. Some people enjoy the idea while it makes others anxious and uncomfortable. In the end, it’s your baby shower, so do what’s best for you.
Do I need invites for a baby shower?
While you could always send a message to those you want to invite, buying or making baby shower invitations can be a lot more personal.
Not only will it be easier for people to remember the date and time of the baby shower, but you will also have a nice a little keepsake of your baby shower date too.
How to choose a baby shower theme
A lot of people like to choose a baby shower theme as it helps with what decorations to buy and potential cake ideas. Some people baby shower themes over the years have been:
• Safari themed
• Woodland themed
• Colour themed (specifically pink or blue)
• Winnie the Pooh
• Star themed
You don't have to choose a specific baby shower theme though, you can just choose decorations that you like.
If you don't know your baby's gender, it's a great way to celebrate not knowing! If you found out the baby's gender in your latest scan, you could always turn it in a gender reveal cake at your baby shower too.
Credit: Nicole Laird on Pinterest.
Should I do baby shower games?
While not completely necessary, baby shower games are a great way for your guests to get to know each other and have a laugh with those you love.
There are plenty of fun games to play, just pick one or two that you would enjoy! Some ideas are:
Baby predications: One of the easier games to organise as you can just use your baby book, a board or predication cards. Get your guests to guess baby's gender, due date or weight! You could even get them to guess a name.
Guess the baby food: Get a few sample pots of baby food and empty them into separate bowls or cover up the labels on the jar. You can then play a game of what flavour the food is. Whoever guesses the most right, wins!
Baby guessing game: This can be played with just baby pictures of the parents where the guests have to guess which parent is which, or with all your guests.
What should I wear to a baby shower?
Dressing your bump whilst feeling comfortable isn't always easy, and choosing an outfit for your baby shower can sometimes feel impossible. You want something comfortable, that shows off your bump, while also matching your theme, baby gender and even the whether.
What to look for in a baby shower outfit
Material: if it's summer, you want something thin or made from cotton, as it will be more breathable. For winter, opt for knits for warmth.
Sleeve length: whatever the weather, choose a sleeve style that you know you will be comfortable with. Don't opt for a strappy sleeve if you aren't comfortable wearing one!
Bump room: maternity dresses will obviously cater for your bump, but if you see a dress you love that's not a maternity dress, you can always size up to fit your bump.
Fitted or floaty: both fitted outfits and floaty ones can compliment your bump. You might want to choose a floaty fit for warmer months, as it will feel more breathable.
Should I write a gift list for my baby shower?
Before you (or your trusted baby shower organiser) send out the invites, it could be a good idea to create a baby shower gift, wish list. It will give your guests a great idea of what to look for, and can prevent the same gifts being bought, as well as items being bought that you already have.
Do I need to have a baby shower?
Whether you have a baby shower or not is completely up to personal opinion. Some people like to spend time with those they love before the baby's arrival. Others might prefer to have a sip and see party, where they choose a date after the due date where everyone can meet baby at the same time.
Can I have a baby shower even if it's not my first baby?
Of course! Baby showers are for spending time with your loved ones before your baby's arrival, whether it's your first, second or third!
Samantha Ball is a Commercial Content Writer and freelanced for the Mother&Baby website for two years before joining the team full-time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.