How to Plan a Baby Shower – A Complete Checklist

Planning a baby shower is an exciting and meaningful way to celebrate the upcoming arrival of a little one while honouring the parents-to-be. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring together friends and family to share joy, offer support, and shower the family with love and thoughtful gifts. A baby shower is a special celebration which you obviously want to make memorable. The secret to throwing or hosting an unforgettable baby shower is in being organised. Preparing a checklist for the event can make planning a baby shower stress-free and fun. Also, while hosting a baby shower, consider planning the party as the new mom would want and not according to how you may like it. Read on to create a seamless and enjoyable baby shower checklist.

How to Plan a Baby Shower?

The answer to how to host a baby shower lies in making a baby shower planning checklist in advance. Every detail contributes to the celebration’s success, from deciding on a date and theme to organising activities and refreshments. The baby shower event planning checklist may include the following handy tips:

1. Decide on a Budget

Establish a clear budget to determine the scope of the celebration. This will help prioritise spending on essentials such as food, decorations, and entertainment while avoiding unnecessary expenses.

2. Pick a Date

You may like to consult the new mom and her family while selecting a date. Some families follow the tradition of having a baby shower after the baby’s arrival, while some expectant moms prefer having one during her second trimester, when she is more likely to be comfortable. Also, it may be a good idea to run the proposed date with all the guests you intend to invite to check their availability.

3. Select a Theme

Choose a theme which may give you enough scope to allow you to work out other details of the party, like the invites, decorations, cake, and party games, with ease. Also, themes usually echo the personality and preferences of the mom-to-be. For example, the expectant mom may favour a neutral theme like a ‘stroller theme’, if she doesn’t wish to reveal the gender of the baby (that is, if she knows it!). So do ask the guest of honour if there are any particular themes she may like.

4. Guest List

You could get inputs from the mom-to-be and her family regarding the guest list. It may not go down well to accidentally leave out a close relative or childhood friend. Thus, involve the family while planning the guest list.

5. Invitations

There can be several options for sending out the invites. You may go in for online invitations that can be sent digitally for free. You can also make the invites by hand using craft supplies and your creativity for that added personal touch. Printable invitations can also be considered depending upon your budget. Also, the guests may receive their invitations well in advance so that they have adequate reaction time. Following up the invitation with a short call can also be a good idea.

6. Confirm the RSVPs

Follow up with guests a week before the event to confirm attendance. This helps finalise arrangements for seating, food, and activities.

7. Venue Selection

It is important to keep the weather, the number of guests, and the budget in mind while selecting a venue. You can utilise your backyard or lawn for an intimate gathering. You may like to consider a restaurant in case the guest list is big. Parks can be an ideal setting for hosting a baby shower on a sunny winter morning, or when the weather is super pleasant.

8. Decorations

You can create beautiful party decorations like banners and flash cards out of practically nothing, by making use of simple DIY crafts. You can also consider exploring thrift shops for reasonable, yet pretty, decorative pieces. You can watch online videos to get creative ideas for using streamers and balloons in a fancy way to deck up the place. Perishable items like flowers may be bought or arranged from a friend’s garden a day before the event.

9. Plan the Menu

The menu of the baby shower need not be too extensive. You may want the menu to reflect the theme of the baby shower. It may be practical to go in for finger foods, light snacks or even a potluck as it will let the guests to actively participating in the event while managing their food. At the time of planning the menu, take into consideration any likely food aversions or cravings of the mom-to-be. Do include refreshing drinks too.

10. Party Games

Ideally, party games set the momentum of the party by making things lively and exciting. It may not be a great idea to pack the party with too many party games. Organise a couple of fun activities so that the mom-to-be has considerable time at hand to interact with the guests or maybe open her presents. While selecting the games, pay careful attention to the fact that they should not be a drag or embarrass anyone. Also, keep apt prizes for the winners.

11. Set Up a Photo Station

Create a dedicated photo corner with themed props or a decorative backdrop to create lasting memories. Consider hiring a photographer or asking a guest to document special moments during the event.

12. Gifts

You can formulate a baby registry or a list by including all the essential things the mom-to-be may require after her baby’s arrival. A baby registry may also make it easy for the guests to select an appropriate gift which is bound to be appreciated by the expectant mom. You may, of course, include the expectant mom while preparing the baby registry, and provide the list to the guests in advance.

13. Party Favours

Offering party favours to all the guests at the conclusion of the baby shower may be a nice gesture of thankfulness. The expectant mom may like to add a personal thank-you note as well. Little things like scented candles, handmade chocolates, or some cosmetics can make for great party favours.

FAQs

1. When is the best time to host a baby shower?

The ideal time to host a baby shower is during the second or early third trimester, typically between 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. At this stage, the mother-to-be is comfortable enough to enjoy the celebration, and it allows time to prepare for the baby with the received gifts.

2. Who usually plans and hosts the baby shower?

Traditionally, a close friend, sibling, or relative of the parents-to-be is responsible for throwing a baby shower. It’s also common for co-hosts to share responsibilities, especially for larger gatherings. The parents themselves can also take part in planning if they prefer.

3. How far in advance should I send out invitations?

Invitations should be sent out 4-6 weeks before the baby shower. This gives guests ample time to RSVP and plan their attendance, especially for those travelling from out of town.

Following a checklist for baby shower may help you make the joyous event a great success, whose lovely memory the mom-to-be is sure to cherish forever.

Also Read: 

Baby Shower Gift Ideas
Best Baby Shower Theme Ideas
Adorable Baby Shower Ideas for Girls
Best Baby Shower Ideas for Boys
Baby Shower Food Ideas to Impress your Guest
Ideas for Welcoming Newborn Baby at Home