A baby shower is a celebration held before your baby arrives, where friends and family gather to mark the occasion and help with gifts for your little one. The best time to host one is the third trimester, around 7 to 8 months pregnant. With a little planning, you can throw a relaxed, memorable party without the stress.
Congratulations, you’re having a baby! Now it’s time to prepare for their arrival, from decorating the nursery and choosing a crib to selecting a pram and all the other essentials. It’s an exciting season, and a baby shower is a wonderful way to share it with the people you love.
Why hold one? First, it’s a chance to receive useful gifts. If this is your first pregnancy, you’ll quickly discover that baby equipment is expensive, so this genuinely helps with costs. Just as importantly, being surrounded by loved ones makes the occasion special.
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When Is the Best Time to Have a Baby Shower?
It’s best to hold the baby shower during the third trimester, roughly 7 or 8 months into your pregnancy. According to NHS guidance, the third trimester begins at week 28 and runs until birth, so weeks 30 to 34 are a popular sweet spot.
By this point you’ll probably know the sex of your baby, which can help guests choose gifts. The birth is also close, making the party even more exciting. Traditionally, the expectant mother or her best friend arranges it, though you can also plan it together.
How Far in Advance Should You Prepare?
A baby shower is about having a good time with friends and family. Therefore, avoid unnecessary stress by starting your organisation early, ideally around 6 to 8 weeks before the party. Thinking ahead also lets you prepare something special and avoid forgetting key details.
Plan Your Day
What food and drinks will you serve? Will you cook, or do you need a caterer? Who will you invite? Decide on catering first, because caterers must be booked well in advance.
To keep things informal, a finger-food buffet followed by a cake or cupcakes works beautifully. For drinks, offer tea and coffee, or something more festive like a sparkling toast and mocktails. Then draft your guest list and start thinking about decoration.
Send Out the Invitations
You have two options: email or printed card. This depends on your budget, but a posted invitation always makes a lovely impression. If you enjoy arts and crafts, you can make the cards yourself. The Shutterfly guide to baby shower card wording offers useful inspiration for what to write. Whichever route you choose, make sure you have everyone’s contact details.
Should You Give Guest Gifts?
Offering a small gift to each guest is a thoughtful way to thank them for coming. This can suit any budget, and you can even make them yourself. Ideas include home-made jams or soaps, small succulent plants, key rings, cosmetics, or personalised sweets. You’ll find plenty of inspiration online or on the high street.
Cook in Advance
If you’re catering the baby shower yourself, prepare what you can ahead of time and store it in the freezer, especially finger foods. If you’re using a caterer or a baker for the cake, give them enough lead time to deliver their best work.
Make a Gift List
Make the most of the occasion by requesting things you genuinely need. A clear list helps guests know what to buy. Include items for every budget, from inexpensive baby essentials to larger equipment you don’t yet have. Then share the list by email with everyone, or just with those who ask.
What Activities Work Best at a Baby Shower?
Although a baby shower is essentially about good conversation and togetherness, a few games make it more festive. From baby bingo to a blindfolded nappy-change challenge, there are plenty of baby-themed activities. You could even tie them to a fun new-parent theme if you’ve kept the news a secret. Choose them with your guests so everyone has fun.
Decorate the Room
Create a warm atmosphere with colourful balloons, paper garlands, an “It’s a girl/boy” banner and other accessories. You can match napkins, glasses and plates to your chosen theme. If you love DIY, source everything from a craft shop or online for a personal touch.
Relax and Have Fun
The day has finally arrived. This is a special chance to enjoy time with people you love, so try to relax. Don’t do everything yourself, and ask a friend to help with the organisation. If small things don’t go exactly to plan, that’s perfectly fine. Just enjoy the moment.
If you’re building your family through co-parenting or donor conception, a baby shower can be a beautiful way to bring your whole support network together. CoParents.co.uk connects people across the UK who are starting parenthood through shared parenting and donor arrangements, so your celebration can include everyone in your circle.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you have a baby shower?
The best time for a baby shower is the third trimester, around 7 to 8 months pregnant, or roughly weeks 30 to 34. This is late enough to feel close to the birth but early enough that the mother is still comfortable and energetic.
Who traditionally organises the baby shower?
Traditionally, the expectant mother’s best friend or a close family member organises it, so the mother-to-be can relax as the guest of honour. However, many parents now plan it together, which works just as well.
How much does a baby shower cost?
Costs vary widely depending on guest numbers, catering and venue. A home-based gathering with a finger-food buffet and DIY decorations can be very affordable, while a catered event at a hired venue costs significantly more.
What games can you play at a baby shower?
Popular baby shower games include baby bingo, guessing the due date, a blindfolded nappy-change race, and “guess the baby photo” of the guests. Choose a mix so guests of all ages can join in.
Do you need to know the baby’s sex first?
No, you don’t. Many parents host a gender-neutral celebration. However, hosting after the 20-week scan means guests can choose more specific gifts if you’ve chosen to find out.
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