Baby Shower Inspiration and Checklist

When a new baby is about to join the family, it’s not only the parents who’re bursting with excitement. Chances are that grandparents, siblings, family and friends are just as excited for the little bundle of joy to arrive. Getting ready to welcome this new little family member often means throwing a baby shower. But, have you ever wondered what goes down at one and what all the fuss is about? Stick around, and we’ll fill you in!

What is a baby shower?

First things first. What exactly is a baby shower and where did it start? Baby showers are actually a fairly new thing, but the celebration of the upcoming arrival of a little one has been happening for ages. Simply put, baby showers, which started in the US, are surprise parties where the parents-to-be get showered with love and gifts from their close friends and family.

5 Quick Questions & Answers About Baby Showers

Food, drinks, games and gifts for the perfect Baby Shower - BabyBjörn

1. What happens at a baby shower?

A baby shower is a time for friends and family to spend time together with the parents-to-be and shower them with love and gifts. You usually play games, eat nice food or snacks, open gifts, and enjoy each other’s company.

2. Who throws a baby shower?

There’s no hard and fast rule that dictates who is supposed to throw a baby shower, but it’s usually close friends or family of the expectant parents.

3. When should a baby shower happen?

Typically, a baby shower is held quite close to the baby's arrival. A good rule of thumb is to host it about 4–6 weeks before the due date, but of course, it all depends on the wishes of the expectant parents.

4. Are baby showers just for the mom?

No, nowadays baby showers are not always solely for the mom. Traditionally, baby showers were exclusively for the mom-to-be, but today joint baby showers that celebrate both parents before the baby arrives are common.

5. Who do you invite to a baby shower?

The guest list for every baby shower is different. A common question is if guys can go to a baby shower, and the answer to that is of course—if that's what the parents-to-be want! For a long time, baby showers were usually held for the mom-to-be, but having a joint shower has become increasingly popular. Typically, close family members and friends of the expectant parents are invited, but it's always considerate to check who they want on their guest list before sending out the invites.

Baby Shower Checklist

There are no rules for how to throw a baby shower. The most important thing is to focus on the expectant parents and make sure they feel happy and loved on this special day. Here’s a quick baby shower checklist with ideas for food, drinks and games that always are a hit.

6 Great Baby Shower Ideas

BABY SHOWER FOOD:
When it comes to food at a baby shower, we suggest you keep it simple. Delicious finger food, a classic brunch or a simple buffet is appreciated by most.

BABY SHOWER CAKE:
A classic baby shower cake is always a winning concept at a shower, and there are plenty of yummy recipes out there. Cakes topped with fresh fruit or berries are always tasty, but cupcakes, fruit or cookies are also a good option for guests who are not that into cake.

NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS:
This day is all about the parents-to-be, so opt for non-alcoholic drinks or mocktails and serve them in festive glasses or pretty bottles. A great tip is to set up a cute “Mom-osa” bar, where the parents and guests can enjoy fresh fruits, juices and non-alcoholic cava.

GIFTS:
Many parents-to-be keep a gift registry for their baby shower. This is a good place to pick gifts from because you know the items are both wanted and needed. Baby clothes, toys, and diapers, of course, are other popular gifts. You can find more tips in our article about baby shower gift ideas. You can also give the parents-to-be something just for them, such as a gift card for a spa or a night at a hotel before the arrival of their little one.

BABY SHOWER THEME AND DECORATIONS:
Themes are always a fun idea because they bring everyone together and make planning easier. Just make sure you tell the guests about the theme well in advance so they can plan ahead. Garlands, balloons and gender neutral colors like green never fail!

BABY SHOWER GAMES:
Who doesn’t like some fun games at a baby shower? Guess the Person is a classic—you ask all the guests to submit a picture of themselves when they were a child and then everyone guesses who is who. Another fun baby shower game is Guess the Baby—guests try to guess what day the baby will be born and the baby’s height and weight. Each guest can also write down their best tip for the expectant parents and put it in a pretty jar. This way the parents can pull out a tip whenever they need some reassurance.