The feeling of waiting and welcoming your new baby is both exciting and nervous. To cherish this time, why shouldn’t you hold a baby shower? What is baby shower? Baby showers are a time-honored tradition, which is celebrated to welcome new life and shower new parents with love, support, and practical gifts.
These days, you can be a bit confused because there are many different variations of a baby shower. But don’t worry, you can find everything you need in our article today. Whether you’re planning a baby shower of your own or attending one, knowing the basics will surely be helpful. You will explore interesting information about “What is baby shower?”, and how you can hold a baby shower as well as much interesting information.
What Is Baby Shower?
A baby shower is a traditional celebration that is held before the baby’s birth. The purpose of this celebration is to honor the expectant mother and welcome the upcoming arrival of the baby. In this joyous event, friends and family members of the expecting parents will come together and offer gifts, well wishes, and support for the new addition to the family. A baby shower is usually organized by the mothers or by other members of the family.
Who Will Host A Baby Shower?
Traditionally, the baby shower is organized and hosted by a close friend or family member of the expectant parents. They will take the responsibility of planning the event, sending out invitations, arranging decorations, organizing games, as well as preparing food and refreshments for the guests. But in modern baby showers, co-workers or the one who you love and trust can help to host.
However, many parents want to plan and organize the baby shower by themselves, especially if they have specific ideas for the baby shower celebration. The key is that you and the other attendants will feel happy and have good memories of the celebration.
Why Should You Hold A Baby Shower?
A baby shower is an excellent baby milestone for you to share your happiness about your upcoming baby. Parents-to-be will also receive essential items needed for the baby, such as clothes, diapers, toys, baby bottles, and other baby supplies. This heartwarming event will help to bring people together to celebrate the upcoming arrival of a baby.
Who Will Pay For A Baby Shower?
Typically, the host of the baby shower will be the one who will cover the cost. But it will be not always like that. The cost can be shared by multiple people who come together to throw the shower. This can be a great way to distribute the costs and workload.
Sometimes, guests may offer to contribute to specific aspects of the shower, like food, decorations, or favors. This can help reduce some of the financial pressure on the main host.
When Should You Hold a Baby Shower?
A baby shower is typically held in the third trimester. Ideally, you should hold it around 4 to 6 weeks before your baby’s due date. This will allow expectant mothers to be able to enjoy the celebration comfortably without being stressed about a too-close due date. This is the time when the mothers’ health condition is smoothest. However, some mothers may want to celebrate after giving birth. Doing this way, the baby will be able to attend the celebration.
Keep in mind that the baby shower time can be different depending on your personal preferences. Don’t forget to check your guests’ calendars to make sure that they can attend. Just pick a date that’s most convenient for you.
How Long Should A Baby Shower Take?
There is no certain number for the time length of a baby shower. 2 hours is an ideal period because you don’t want to make expectant parents, especially the mother, exhausted.
If a virtual baby shower takes place, the time should be shorter – half to an hour will be fine.
How To Plan & Organize A Baby Shower?
Don’t worry. Holding a baby shower is not so difficult and will bring you a lot of great experiences. By following these steps, you can create a memorable celebration for expectant parents and the upcoming baby.
Consider Your Budget
Plan a budget you would like to spend for the celebration. This will guide your decisions on everything. Based on the amount of money, you can make a budget-friendly choice. A baby shower doesn’t need to be expensive always. In fact, you can throw a baby shower with a small budget while ensuring its quality. Don’t hesitate to ask your family members and friends to support you.
After you’ve decided on your budget, you can start to make a plan of what you will spend.
Plan the Guest List
The list should include the expectant parents’ family members, close friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Make sure you work closely with them to finalize the guest list. The number of guests will decide on the venue of the baby shower.
Choose a Location
This depends on the number of your guests and your budget. How many people will you invite and whether the shower will be formal or casual? To save your money, consider hosting the shower at your own home. This also can bring a warm and personal touch. Or else, you can make other options at a restaurant, cafe, or event space. An outdoor baby shower is also a cool idea. Local parks and beaches are easy places you can consider. Remember that the outdoor choice just can only be possible if the weather is good.
In case you organize a virtual baby shower, choose a place with a strong Wifi signal to make sure the celebration isn’t interrupted.
Embrace a Theme
It’s not necessary to do this. But a fun party theme can help to combine everything and add a touch of whimsy and personality to the shower. Skip this step if you want to decorate the shower in your own style.
Choose The Date
You need to check the date you want to celebrate the baby shower with the guests in advance. Once you are sure that they will be available on that day. You can announce them them about the date and venue officially.
Send Out Invitations
Invitations should be sent out 4-6 weeks before the shower so that the guests can have enough time to arrange the time and prepare the gifts.
The invitations should include essential details like the date, time, location, dress code, and what the guests will bring. You can send out traditional invitation cards or invite online.
Prepare Shower Favors
You don’t need to do this. But small tokens of appreciation for your guests are a thoughtful touch. Simple keepsakes, small stuffed animals, homemade treats, handmade items, and small potted plants are some friendly-budget shower favors you can pick up. This will not add a big amount to your budget.
Set Up Games & Activities
What is baby shower purpose? It is to create an opportunity for everyone to gather and cherish. So games and activities can not be missed in a baby shower. The activities will keep guests entertained as well as connect you all together. You can find a lot of cool ideas on the Internet. Just take time and choose the ones you like.
Prepare Food & Drinks
It is a good idea to offer a mix of sweet and savory options to cater to various dietary preferences. Don’t forget to prepare a wide-range selection of beverages and light snacks. Ask your guests to notify you of any special dietary requirements. You can think of hiring a caterer or even preparing them by yourself.
Don’t think it is too complicated! This is like a home party with all of your close people. Follow the above instructions and you can confidently plan and host a baby shower well.
Games For Baby Showers
Fun and engaging games will make the celebration fill with laughter and joy. Here is a list of some cool games you can prepare at a baby shower:
- Baby Bingo: Make bingo cards with baby shower gifts or baby stuff that are often received. As the mom-to-be opens presents, participants mark their cards. The first person to complete a row is declared the winner.
- Guess the Baby Food: Take off labels from different jars of baby food, and number them. People taste it and try to recognize its flavor. Whoever gets the most tastes right wins.
- Diaper Raffle: Include a raffle ticket with each invitation, encouraging guests to bring a pack of diapers. Each pack gives them an entry into a prize draw.
- Don’t Say “Baby”: As guests arrive, give each one a clothespin to attach to their clothes. If they hear someone say the word “baby,” they can take that person’s clothespin. The person who has the most clothespins at the end will win.
- Baby Name Race: Give each guest a letter of the alphabet and a time frame in which to write down all the names of children starting with that letter possible for them. The one who has written the most names wins.
- Baby Trivia: Prepare trivia questions about aspects like parents-to-be, facts concerning babies, or general baby knowledge. The guest who answers many queries correctly will be awarded as winning.
- Baby Bottle Chugging Contest: Fill bottles with some drink such as water or juice then see who can chug it down fastest.
- The Price Is Right: Show different items needed for babies and let people have their guesses on each item’s price. A person whose total cost of prices is closest would be announced as the winner.
- Baby Sock Sorting: Provide a pile of baby socks and encourage guests to race to sort out pairs within a certain time limit
Modern baby showers may include more unique activities like DIY crafts, photo booths, and interactive games. Virtual games and activities have also become popular, especially for remote or virtual baby showers.
Should You Register Gifts For Baby Shower?
Many people will appreciate this. You can create a baby registry to tell the items you’ll need for your baby. If you want to do this, you should pick items that have reasonable prices, such as baby-care essentials, baby sleeping clothes, diapers, blankets, and so on. But if you want something more expensive, like a crib or car seat, you can create a “group gift” registry so that the guests can contribute based on their financial ability.
Difference Between Traditional & Modern Baby Shower
While the core purpose of baby shower remains over time, the way we celebrate has evolved. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between traditional and modern baby showers:
| Items | Traditional Baby Shower | Modern Baby Shower |
| Guest List | Primarily female family members & close friends | More inclusive, including both men and women, colleagues, and friends. |
| Focus | Focus on practical gifts for the baby, ensuring they have everything they need. | A balance between practical gifts and celebrating the parents themselves. |
| Etiquette | Formal invitations, gender-specific themes (blue for boys, pink for girls), and games focused on motherhood preparation. | Less emphasis on strict etiquette, with more diverse and playful themes, not necessarily tied to gender. Games are lighthearted and inclusive. |
| Exclusivity | Typically limited to expecting mothers with their first child. | More common for subsequent children |
Whether you are planning a baby shower, there is room for accommodating both. Consider the wishes of the parents-to-be and create a celebration that reflects their unique style and joy in welcoming new life.
A Word From BabiesParent,
You’ve explored everything about “What is baby shower?”. Whether you are a guest or hold a baby shower, remember the core purpose is to welcome the new baby as well as offer a helping hand to the expectant parents. With careful preparation, you can contribute to a lasting memory of the baby shower.
