I’ve been to approximately 47 baby showers in the past three years (okay, maybe like 10, but it feels like 47), and they all kind of blur together. Same games, same pastel balloons, same tiny sandwiches.
Then I helped plan one for my best friend and we actually made it feel special and personal instead of just checking boxes off a Pinterest board. People are still talking about it, and honestly? It wasn’t even that hard to pull off.
Let’s Talk Themes (But Make It Personal)
Forget generic “woodland creatures” or “twinkle twinkle little star” unless that genuinely means something to the parents. Instead, think about:
What they actually love – Are they book nerds? Do a library/storybook theme. Love to travel? Use a map/adventure theme. Obsessed with their dog? Incorporate the future big sibling pup into everything.
Their nursery theme – If they’ve already decorated, pull from those colors and vibes so the shower photos match their space.
Keep it simple – Honestly, you don’t even need a theme. A cohesive color palette works just as well and gives you way more flexibility.
For my friend’s shower, we did a “oh baby” theme with rainbow colors because she’s obsessed with rainbows and it felt very her. Simple, colorful, happy.
Decoration Ideas That Don’t Break the Bank
Balloon garlands – These look expensive but are surprisingly affordable if you DIY. Get a balloon decorating strip on Amazon for like $8 and some balloons in your color scheme. Watch one YouTube video and you’re set.
Fresh flowers or greenery – A few bouquets from the grocery store look way nicer than a bunch of themed cutouts. Put them in simple vases or even mason jars.
A cute backdrop – This can be as simple as a curtain in a pretty color, some streamers, or that balloon garland. People will take photos in front of it.
Baby clothes on a line – String up some tiny onesies with clothespins. It’s adorable and functional since they become gifts.
Books instead of cards – Have guests bring a children’s book with a message written inside instead of a card. Stack them as decor and the parents get an instant library.
Simple centerpieces – Flowers in baby bottles, small potted plants guests can take home, or even just scattered baby items like pacifiers and rattles on the tables.
The balloon garland did most of the heavy lifting for us honestly, and everything else just filled in around it.
Food Ideas People Will Actually Eat
Please, I’m begging you, think beyond sad vegetable platters and dry finger sandwiches.
Brunch vibes – Mini quiches, fruit salad, bagels with cream cheese and lox, pastries. People love brunch and it photographs well.
Taco bar – Set up a DIY taco situation with all the toppings. Easy, affordable, and everyone’s happy.
Dessert table – Sometimes less is more. Do an amazing dessert spread with a few savory snacks on the side instead of trying to do a full meal.
Charcuterie situation – A big board with cheese, crackers, fruit, and meat. Throw in some chocolate and nuts. Done.
Comfort food – Sliders, mac and cheese cups, chicken skewers. Food that’s actually satisfying.
Dietary considerations – Always have vegetarian and gluten-free options. Ask about allergies when you send invites.
We did a waffle bar with tons of toppings (berries, whipped cream, chocolate chips, syrup) plus a big charcuterie board and some savory breakfast items. It was a hit and way easier than I expected.
Games That Don’t Make Everyone Cringe
Real talk: some baby shower games are painful. But some are actually fun!
Baby predictions and advice cards – Have guests fill out cards predicting birth date, weight, eye color, etc. Plus write advice or well wishes. Not a game really, but a sweet keepsake.
Don’t say baby – Give everyone a clothespin when they arrive. If someone catches you saying “baby,” they get to take your pin. Person with the most pins at the end wins. This one actually keeps people engaged.
Baby photo matching – Ask guests to bring baby photos of themselves ahead of time. Display them and have people guess who’s who. This is actually fun and gets people talking.
Diaper raffle – Not a game exactly, but have people bring a pack of diapers for a raffle entry. Parents get diapers (which they NEED), winner gets a nice prize.
The price is right: baby edition – Show common baby items and have people guess the prices. Surprisingly entertaining.
Skip games entirely – Honestly? It’s okay to just not do games. Have good food, good music, and let people socialize. The mom-to-be might actually prefer that.
We only did two games and they took maybe 20 minutes total. Rest of the time was just hanging out, which was perfect.
Gift Ideas to Suggest (When People Ask)
Diapers and wipes – Boring but SO needed. Suggest different sizes, not just newborn.
Gift cards – Amazon, Target, or even DoorDash/Uber Eats for those exhausted new parent nights.
Meal delivery or meal train – This is actually the most helpful gift ever.
Books – Building a library is never a bad idea.
Practical items – Burp cloths, swaddles, bottles, pacifiers.
For mom – Postpartum care items, comfortable pajamas, a nice water bottle, snacks. People forget about mom.
Experience gifts – Photography session, cleaning service, babysitting credits for later.
Make a registry and share it. It makes everyone’s life easier and ensures the parents get what they actually need.
Unique Shower Ideas
Co-ed shower – Include the dads! Some people prefer this and it can actually be more fun.
Sip and see – Have the party after the baby is born so everyone can meet them. Way less pressure on the pregnant person.
Virtual shower – For long-distance friends. Send a gift box ahead of time and do games over Zoom. Not ideal but better than nothing.
Second baby shower – Yes, it’s okay! Call it a “sprinkle” if you want. Keep it smaller and more casual.
Themed around baby’s future – Like a “adventures await” theme for travel-loving parents or “little scholar” for bookworms.
Outdoor shower – Park or backyard, keep it casual with blankets and picnic vibes. Weather permitting, obviously.
The Timeline That Actually Works
6-8 weeks before the due date – Gives mom time to wash and organize gifts before baby arrives, but she’s not too uncomfortable yet.
Send invites 3-4 weeks in advance – Gives people time to plan but not so much time they forget.
2-3 hour party – That’s plenty. Longer and people get restless, shorter feels rushed.
Plan for 20-30 guests – More than that gets chaotic unless you have a big space.
What I Wish I’d Known
People will be late – Build in 30 minutes of mingling before starting any activities.
You need more ice than you think – And more napkins. And more cups. Always more.
Assign tasks – Don’t try to do everything yourself. Have people help with setup, food refills, gift recording, and cleanup.
Take photos – Designate someone to take pictures throughout. Everyone forgets to do this.
Save room for gifts – You need way more space than you think for people to sit with gifts and for the pile of opened presents.
The mom will be tired – Keep the energy upbeat but not overwhelming. She’s growing a human.
Keep it flexible – If the mom-to-be needs to sit down more than expected or wants to skip something, roll with it. This day is about her.
The Most Important Thing
At the end of the day, it’s about celebrating the parents and the new baby. The mom should feel loved and supported, not stressed or overwhelmed. Everything else is just details.
The best baby showers I’ve been to are the ones where you can tell someone put thought into what the parents would actually enjoy, not just what’s trendy or expected.
So personalize it, keep it manageable, and don’t stress about making it perfect. The parents will remember the love and effort, not whether your balloon garland was Instagram-worthy.
Now go plan an amazing shower and make some new parents feel really special!