Baby shower ideas

A baby shower works best at about two and a half hours, in the afternoon, four to six weeks before the due date - late enough to feel real, early enough that nobody's uncomfortable sitting on a dining chair.

Below: themes, the games worth playing, food you can make the night before, and an hour-by-hour running order so it doesn't sag in the middle.

Every idea here works at home. You don't need a venue for fifteen people and a tea urn.

Baby shower themes

• Afternoon tea: sandwiches, scones, mismatched china, the easiest theme there is.
• Sage and cream neutrals - photographs beautifully, costs almost nothing.
• Woodland: greenery, wooden crates, brown paper.
• Rainbow, especially lovely for a rainbow baby.
• Storybook: guests bring a book instead of a card.
• Brunch shower: pastries, fruit and mocktails, done by 1pm.
• Garden party if the weather holds, with a gazebo as insurance.
• Twinkle twinkle: stars, moons and fairy lights for an evening shower.

Baby shower games people actually enjoy

• Guess the bump size with a ball of string - two minutes, always funny.
• Baby name bingo: guess the final name choices.
• Don't say 'baby' - a badge or clothes peg each, lose it if you slip.
• Guess the baby photo, collected from guests in advance.
• Melted chocolate in nappies - grim, but people love it.
• Advice cards for the parents to read in the first sleepless week. Shop this card
• Predictions: date, weight, hair colour, first word. Shop this card
• Decorate a babygrow with fabric pens.

Baby shower food

• Sandwich platters cut into fingers, made the night before and covered.
• Scones with jam and cream, warmed for ten minutes before guests arrive.
• Sausage rolls and quiche slices - the only hot things you need.
• Fruit skewers and a chocolate dip for something that isn't beige.
• Cupcakes with toppers instead of one big cake if numbers are unclear.
• Mocktails: elderflower and soda, or virgin mojito in a jug.
• Tea and proper coffee - most guests will want one or the other.

Decorations that take ten minutes

• One banner behind the food table does most of the work.
• Balloons in threes at different heights, not a full arch.
• Table confetti in the theme colours.
• A cake topper instead of an iced message.
• Fairy lights if the shower runs into the evening.
• A wishes tree: cards pegged onto branches in a vase.

A running order for the afternoon

• 2pm: guests arrive, drinks and music, no games yet.
• 2.30pm: food out, everyone eats standing and sitting.
• 3pm: two games, no more.
• 3.30pm: cake, then gifts opened with someone writing down who gave what.
• 4pm: advice cards read out.
• 4.30pm: winding down, guests start to leave.

What to write in a baby shower card

• So excited to meet the newest member of your family. Shop this card
• Wishing you both a smooth arrival and lots of tiny socks.
• Congratulations - you're going to be wonderful at this.
• Sleep now. Seriously. Sleep now.
• Here's to the best chapter yet.
• Can't wait to spoil this little one rotten.

Shop new baby cards

Cake toppers and decorations

Toppers, banners and confetti, designed in house and printed in the UK.

How to write it so it lands

• Two games maximum. Three is when people start checking their phones.
• Make the food the night before and keep everything cold except one hot thing.
• Have someone note down gifts and givers as they're opened.
• Set an end time on the invitation so it winds down naturally.

Where to shop next

• Celebration cake ideas and toppers
• Celebration of life ideas
• Engagement celebration ideas
• Graduation celebration ideas
• Retirement celebration ideas
• 50th wedding anniversary ideas
• Anniversary celebration ideas
• Celebration quotes
• Christening celebration ideas
• Housewarming celebration ideas
• New baby cards
• What to write in a new baby card
• Party supplies
• Birthday party ideas
• Christening decorations
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas

Frequently asked questions

When should you have a baby shower?

Usually four to six weeks before the due date, so around 32 to 36 weeks. Late enough to feel close, early enough that the parent-to-be is still comfortable and the baby hasn't arrived early.

Who pays for a baby shower?

In the UK it's normally the host - a friend, sister or mum - rather than the parents-to-be. Guests bring a small gift and a card, not a contribution to the costs.

How long should a baby shower last?

Two to three hours is right. Any longer and it drags, especially for someone in their third trimester sitting on a dining chair.

Do you open gifts at a baby shower?

Yes, usually after the cake. Ask someone to write down who gave what as it happens - it saves an impossible thank-you list later.