planning baby shower

Planning a baby shower checklist

Planning a baby shower checklist

Pregnancy
Article
Aug 15, 2024
2 mins

A new arrival is definitely an excuse for a party. Whether friends or family are planning a baby shower for you, or you’re doing it yourself, here are some baby shower ideas to get you and your baby shower team started.  

  • ​​​​​​Think about where to have a baby shower. A cozy get-together at home? Or renting a hall or restaurant?
  • Who’s hosting the shower? Or do you want to host as a team? What’s your budget? You’ll need to save some money for when baby gets here. Read our Baby on a budget checklist for more on that. 
  • Consider who you’re inviting. A traditional all-female group? Or a general mixture of friends and family? It can be fun to include your partner and their friends in celebration.
  • Try to pick a day that’s not too close to the baby’s due date. You’ll need to have your feet up nearer the time.
  • Why not create an online gift registry? This helps to guide your friends while they are choosing a gift.  
  • Think of a theme: whether it’s outrageous or sophisticated—themes are fun. If you know the sex of the baby, you may want to incorporate that into the theme.
  • Maybe a party isn’t your style. Consider a spa day if games and cake aren’t your thing.
  • Send out your invitations with date, time, and address, a clear date for providing an RSVP, and a link to your online registry. If there’s a theme, let your guests know on the invitation.
  • Confirm the guest numbers with your venue.
  • Balloons, decorations, paper plates, plastic knives and forks. Buy what you need to suit your theme.
  • Buy a cake or cupcakes.
  • Buy baby shower favors and game prizes.
  • Consider getting a photographer or ask someone to take lots of photos.
  • Choose a fun mix of baby-themed party games.
  • Set up the baby shower decorations in good time—you’ll definitely need someone else’s help for this.

Related articles

View details Taking baby out for the first time guide
Article
Taking baby out for the first time guide

Taking baby out for the first time guide

Taking baby out for the first time can be daunting. This checklist should help make it easy for all your baby friendly days out.

2 mins to read

View details Baby names help
Article
Baby names help

Baby names help

Need inspiration for baby names? Here comes the fun bit! You may already have a favourite name, or perhaps you’re waiting until you meet baby face-to-face.

2 mins to read

View details How to deal with morning sickness at the start of pregnancy
Article
How to deal with morning sickness at the start of pregnancy

How to deal with morning sickness at the start of pregnancy

Morning sickness can strike at any time of day or night, especially at the start of pregnancy.

2 mins to read

View details How to cope with pregnancy pains and discomfort
Article
How to cope with pregnancy pains and discomfort

How to cope with pregnancy pains and discomfort

As your body changes, pregnancy pains and discomfort can occur, especially in your back, legs and feet. The good news is, there are ways to ease your pregnancy aches and pains.

2 mins to read

View details Working out your birth plan
Article
Working out your birth plan

Working out your birth plan

Giving birth is less daunting if you have a birth plan prepared to help the day go as smoothly as possible. See our birth plan guide below.

2 mins to read

View details How to cope with first trimester anxiety
Article
How to cope with first trimester anxiety

How to cope with first trimester anxiety

Suffering from first trimester anxiety? You’re not alone, 1 in 10 pregnant women experience this pregnancy symptom in their first trimester. Here’s how to keep the feelings under control.

2 mins to read

View details C-section recovery: Things to think about
Article
C-section recovery

C-section recovery: Things to think about

As with any surgery, C-section recovery takes time and self-care. Here are some things to have in mind to help you heal, from C-section recovery time to cleaning C-section incisions.

3 mins to read

View details Your hospital bag checklist
Article
Your hospital bag checklist

Your hospital bag checklist

Not sure what to pack in your hospital bag? We have put together a simple hospital bag checklist with all the essentials.

3 mins to read

View details Questions to ask at your first prenatal appointment
Article
Questions to ask at your first prenatal appointment

Questions to ask at your first prenatal appointment

Your first prenatal appointment is here! With so much going on, it helps to have a list of pregnancy questions on hand to ask your healthcare provider.

2 mins to read

View details Breastfeeding essentials
Article
Breastfeeding essentials

Breastfeeding essentials

Planning to breastfeed but not sure what you’ll need? Here is a list of our first-time breastfeeding tips to help you prepare. 

2 mins to read

View details Your checklist of prenatal testing questions
Article
Your checklist of prenatal testing questions

Your checklist of prenatal testing questions

Baby health checks start before they’re even born. Here are some questions you may want to ask your healthcare provider about prenatal testing.

1 min to read

View details Getting baby’s nursery ready
Article
baby’s nursery

Getting baby’s nursery ready

New parents may not know that safest place for baby to sleep for the first six months is in their bedroom and in a crib, cradle or bassinet that meets current Canadian safety regulations.

3 mins to read

View details Questions to ask at your 12-week ultrasound
Article
Questions to ask at your 12-week ultrasound

Questions to ask at your 12-week ultrasound

Finally, your 12-week ultrasound is here! This pregnancy ultrasound is an important one and is the most accurate way to estimate your baby’s due date.

2 mins to read

View details Am I ready to give birth? Signs of labour checklist
Article
Signs of labour

Am I ready to give birth? Signs of labour checklist

You probably think it’ll be obvious when you go into labour, but every mom’s labour is different and it usually doesn’t happen like you’ve seen in movies.

2 mins to read

View details Your Maternity Leave and Parental Leave checklist
Article
Your Maternity Leave and Parental Leave checklist

Your Maternity Leave and Parental Leave checklist

It might seem a while away, but ahead of the arrival of the new addition to your family, it’s a good idea to begin preparations towards your leave and to find out what you are entitled to.

2 mins to read

View details Your Pregnancy & Birth Team: Choosing a Midwife, Location, and more
Article
daddy and baby

Your Pregnancy & Birth Team: Choosing a Midwife, Location, and more

You might think it’s too early to start planning for the big day, but it’s never too early to starting thinking about what kind of birthing experience will be the ideal one for you. 

5 mins to read

View details 7 simple food swaps to consider before you get pregnant
Article
7 simple food swaps to consider before you get pregnant

7 simple food swaps to consider before you get pregnant

Eating well now can have a positive impact on your pregnancy, as well as a lasting effect on your baby’s health.

4 mins to read

View details 19-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Article
pregnancy week19 temporary

19-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips

Your little lodger weighs between 300 and 400 grams – weigh a grapefruit in your hand and that’s about how heavy they are. Read more to learn how baby looks at 19 weeks of pregnancy.

3 mins to read

View details Boost your breastfeeding confidence
Article
Preparing for breastfeeding_04_EXPLORE_Boost your breastfeeding confidence

Boost your breastfeeding confidence

Did you know? Developing your support network now can help you feel good about feeding your baby later.

2 mins to read

Join

  Join

Your parenting instincts, our support

Super-sized Savings

SIGN UP & GET A CHANCE TO WIN

Sign up for Nestlé Baby & me and automatically be entered for a chance to win a $100* gift card!

For full details, please visit the Terms & Conditions.

EMAILS & SUPPORT

PERSONALIZED EMAILS & SUPPORT

Receive customized emails with useful info, special offers, & more to help guide you through each parenting phase.

Helpful Resources

HELPFUL TOOLS & RESOURCES

Get access to our helpful and interactive parenting tools & resources in one convenient hub.

EXPERT GUIDANCE

We offer science-based advice & specialized nutritional guidance for every stage of the parenting journey—from preconception to toddlerhood.