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If you’ve never planned anything before, our guide will make sure you do everything perfectly. So, relax and have fun with planning. You’re going to do a fantastic job!

Traditionally, friends of the mother-to-be host the baby shower, but today anyone can do it. Close friends, relatives or co-workers often host showers, however, friends are preferable.

It really depends on who is going to attend the shower. Expectant mothers may have a few showers hosted by different people. For example, friends and family may host one shower, while a co-worker may host one strictly for the people the mother-to-be works with.

If you aren’t planning a surprise baby shower, talk with the guest of honor to decide who she would like to be invited. The shower may include family members, close friends, and co-workers if they are well known.

Many showers also include men because fathers also want to celebrate the birth of their baby, so check with the mother-to-be to see if her husband and his friends would also like to attend.

Review the guest list with the expectant mother to make sure no one has been missed. You can print a guest list to help you with your planning.

Most showers are held in the afternoon and last between two to three hours. It’s important for the guest of honor to be comfortable, so confirm with her what the best time of day to host the shower would be.

Make sure the date and time are convenient for important family members. You wouldn’t want anyone special to miss the shower.

Baby showers are usually held one to two months before the mother’s due date, however, some mothers-to-be may prefer to have the shower after the baby is born.

This allows guests to choose their gifts better, for the parents to discover what they really need, and for the newborn to be the star of the shower. It’s best to host the shower about one month after delivery.

Baby showers are usually held at the home of the hostess, but locations such as restaurants, parks, backyards, and churches are also acceptable.

When choosing the location, you need to consider the number of guests, traveling distance, and expense. If you want to rent a facility, remember you will have additional costs for table, chair and dish rentals.

If you want to have the shower at a restaurant, you must determine who will take responsibility for the check. It could be a potentially awkward situation if this isn’t discussed.

For simplicity sake, it's preferable to host the shower at someone’s home.

We’ve included this checklist for your reference and to act as your guide as you work through the planning stages of the baby shower you’re hosting. You can print a checklist to keep with you while you plan your first shower.


Two Months Prior
Set a date for the baby shower
Create a guest list
Decide budget limits
Choose shower location

One Month Prior
Choose shower theme
Select and mail invitations – include directions and RSVP deadline
Ask for help if you need it!
Plan menu with caterer or with friends if it’s potluck


Three Weeks Prior
Order baby shower cake
Order flowers and balloons if desired
Order tables and chairs if needed


Two Weeks Prior
Buy baby shower decorations, favors and game prizes
Plan baby shower games
Buy plates, cups, utensils, napkins, etc.
Finalize menu with caterer or friends
Buy guestbook


One Week Prior
Confirm guest list
Call guests who haven’t RSVP’d
Wrap gifts and prizes
Review games and activities
Buy film and batteries for camera or video camera
Recharge batteries if necessary
Start cleaning if hosting the shower at home
Prepare nametags, menu and table assignments if necessary


One Day Prior
Start decorating your home
Set up tables, chairs, gift table, food table, etc. if hosting at home
Prepare as many dishes as possible today
Prepare party favors (confirm number) and baby shower games
Cook baby shower cake if doing it yourself
Create a schedule for the baby shower so that nothing will be missed


The Day of the Baby Shower
Finish any last minute decorating
Pick up balloons, flowers, cake, centerpiece, etc.
Prepare beverages or punch
Make sure you have enough ice and beverages
Set up food and cake tables
Ask a friend to take pictures
Make sure the guest of honor is comfortable
Have a garbage bag available when gifts are being opened
Using your guest list, write down who gave which gift or use our gift checklist
Have fun!.

The time of day that you’re hosting the baby shower will determine what type of food you’ll serve.

For afternoon showers, appetizers ,salads, finger sandwiches , and desserts would be acceptable. You might want to provide something more substantial for later showers – casseroles, lasagna, salads, and desserts.

Potluck showers are a popular option for hostesses that are either strapped for time or find cooking a challenge. Make a list of all the dishes you’d like to have for the shower and ask guests what they’d like to bring.

Be sure to keep a list of who’s bringing what - you don’t want 5 desserts and no appetizers or salads.