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Baby Shower Ideas: How to Plan a Party She Will Love

A step-by-step way to plan a baby shower: who to ask first, when to hold it, what to serve, which games to play and how to keep the day relaxed.

Before you use this guide: This is general educational information, not an individual medical assessment. We do not identify a clinician reviewer on this page, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor, midwife or paediatrician.

A baby shower is a chance for friends and family to celebrate a pregnancy and help the parents-to-be get ready for their baby. The best ones are not the most expensive or the most elaborate. They are the ones that feel like the person being celebrated. This guide walks through the decisions in the order that makes planning easiest.

1. Start with the guest of honour

Before you book anything, ask the mum-to-be what she would enjoy. Some people love a big party with games and a cake. Others would be happier with a quiet lunch, a garden afternoon tea or a small get-together at home. Ask about the practical things too: how she is feeling, whether she wants a co-ed party that includes her partner, and whether there are any traditions or family customs she would like to include.

2. Choose a date and a guest list

Most showers take place in the third trimester, often somewhere between 28 and 36 weeks, so the bump is visible but the baby is unlikely to arrive early. Our guide to when to have a baby shower covers timing in more detail, and the baby shower planner tool turns a due date into a suggested window and a countdown. Keep the guest list to people the parents-to-be genuinely want there. A smaller group is easier to host and easier on the budget.

3. Pick a format

• Afternoon tea or brunch: relaxed, easy to cater and good for most seasons.
• Garden or park party: casual and cheap if the weather helps, but have a wet-weather plan.
• Restaurant or café room: little work for the host, though it can cost more per head.
• At home: the most personal option, with a small guest list and no venue fee.
• Co-ed or couples shower: a barbecue or a games afternoon that includes partners and friends.
• Virtual shower: ideal when guests live in different countries.

4. Set a budget early

Decide how much you want to spend before you start looking at decorations. Food and drink usually take the biggest share, followed by the venue if you pay for one, then decorations, activities and invitations. If several people are organising together, agree who is paying for what. Our budget baby shower guide has ways to save without the party feeling thin.

5. Send invitations

Invitations should go out about four to six weeks before the shower, and earlier if guests are travelling. Include the date, time, place, the name of the host, how to RSVP and a registry link or gift idea if there is one. See our guide to invitation wording for examples.

6. Plan the food and drink

Offer a mix of savoury and sweet bites, plus a few alcohol-free drinks that everyone can enjoy, including the mum-to-be. Check that anything she will eat is safe in pregnancy, and ask guests about allergies when they RSVP. There are more ideas in our baby shower food and drink guide.

7. Add one or two activities

You do not need a packed programme. For a two to three hour party, two or three short activities are usually plenty. Choose ones that suit the group, and always keep the mum-to-be's comfort in mind. Our list of baby shower games has 20 options, and some need no preparation at all.

8. Think about gifts and keepsakes

• Place a basket or table for cards and gifts, and ask someone to note who gave what so thank-you messages are easy later.
• Many parents like to open gifts afterwards, in private, to keep the party flowing.
• A guest book, advice cards or a short video of wishes makes a lovely keepsake that costs very little.

9. Look after the mum-to-be on the day

• Provide a comfortable chair, water and snacks she can eat easily.
• Make sure the toilets are easy to reach.
• Keep the schedule loose so she can rest or leave early without fuss.
• Avoid strong scents from candles or air fresheners, which can bother people in pregnancy.
• Let her decide whether to be photographed, whether to share photos online and what to do about her due date.

A simple timeline

• 8 weeks before: agree the date, budget and guest list with the mum-to-be.
• 6 weeks before: send invitations and book the venue or caterer.
• 4 weeks before: plan the menu, order decorations and choose the activities.
• 2 weeks before: chase RSVPs and confirm the numbers.
• 1 week before: shop, prepare what you can and print anything you need.
• Within a few weeks afterwards: send thank-you messages.

This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.