A baby shower is planned for a pregnant woman, typically by her friends or family, to celebrate the child’s birth. Usually, a host organizes the baby shower before the baby is born, but one can also schedule it after the baby’s arrival. A baby shower allows the expectant mother to receive gifts for her new baby and support and advice from other women who have been through the experience of childbirth. 

Why have a baby shower?

Having a baby is a joyous occasion. But it’s also a lot of work. As a host, you could use all the assistance you get when preparing for a new arrival. Friends and family can pitch in and help with everything from building the nursery to stocking up on wipes and diapers. Organizing games, food, and gifts can add to the festivity for the little one. However, if unsure about hosting a baby shower, remember that it’s a great way to help celebrate the expectant mother with this remarkable chapter in her life. 

Where did baby showers originate?

The origins of baby showers are somewhat unclear, but one popular theory is that they began in ancient Greece. New mothers used to be isolated from the outside world for over a month after giving birth. Friends and family would bring them gifts to ensure the mother and child had everything they needed. These gifts were often placed on a pallet, giving rise to the tradition of placing gifts on a baby shower registry.   

Another theory claims that baby showers originated in ancient Rome, where people believed evil spirits could harm newborns. To ward off these spirits, friends, and family would gather around the mother and child, making noise and offering gifts. While the exact origins of baby showers are uncertain, there’s no doubt that they are a cherished tradition in many cultures.   

When should one host a baby shower?

When the expectant mother is getting close to the due date, and everyone starts asking when she will have her baby shower, you know it’s the right time to organize the baby shower. 

• Firstly, you need to know the kind of shower the soon-to-be mother wants: coed, couples, men only, women only, or surprise.  
• Secondly, you must create a registry, choose a theme, send out invitations, and figure out who will make the cake.  
• Finally, you need to coordinate with the event organizer (if you hired one) to ensure everything goes smoothly. 

Luckily, there are some tried and true guidelines on when to have a baby shower. If this is the first baby for the expectant mom, you may host the baby shower about six weeks before the due date. For subsequent babies, you may plan it two to three weeks before the big day. This pre-planning will give you plenty of time to get everything ready without feeling stressed. Even if nothing works, remember that there’s no wrong time to celebrate the impending arrival of a new baby!   

How to throw a baby shower?

If you’re in charge of throwing a baby shower for an expectant mother, you’ll want to consider every detail when planning the celebration. As a host, you’ll also want to ensure the event stays true to the honoree’s preferences. Plan the event as per the soon-to-be mother’s hobbies, decor style, and taste. You can also take inspiration from her nursery ideas to ensure she loves the party theme.   

Organizing a successful baby shower begins with being prepared from the beginning and having enough time to bring everything to life. You’ll want to grab a notepad and make the checklist to keep the plans on track.   

Who to invite to a baby shower?

When throwing a baby shower, the question of who to invite can be tricky. While you want to include all the expectant mother’s closest friends and family members, you don’t want the guest list to get unmanageable. Ultimately, the last thing you want is for the baby shower to turn into a circus. Although the guest list should be according to the pregnant lady’s liking, if it’s a surprise that you are planning for her, below are a few standard guidelines that can help you plan the guest list.  

• First, include all immediate family members of the honoree and any close friends who are like family to her.   
• Second, keep the guest list limited to people who know her well. Inviting acquaintances or casual friends could be unnecessary.   
• Finally, don’t forget to include a few special touches, like inviting a close friend who lives far away or someone who is also expecting a baby around the same time as the expectant mother.  

Considering these simple suggestions, creating a guest list should be a breeze.   

Ideal places to have a baby shower

Deciding where to have a baby shower can be a tough decision. After all, you want to find a comfortable place with enough space for all the guests. However, some areas are better than others when hosting a baby shower. Here are a few of the best places to have a baby shower:   

• The first place to consider is the soon-to-be mom’s own home. Her home can be the most comfortable option for everyone, and it can be easier to manage everything if she’s in familiar surroundings. Plus, you won’t have to be concerned if the venue is clean and presentable – the guests will understand if her house is a little messy. 
• Another great option is the home of her close friend or relative. Their place can be an excellent way to include people who might not otherwise be able to make it to the shower, making the event feel more intimate. 
• Finally, if you’re looking for a unique setting, consider renting a small space at a local coffee shop or cafe. A rental place can provide a relaxed and fun atmosphere for the guests, and it’s usually easier to find available parking and public transportation options near these businesses.   

Games and activities for a baby shower

If you wish to add some fun and festive games at a baby shower, here are some of the best games and activities to get everyone in the party mood:   

• How big the mom-to-be’s belly is: The classic baby shower game of guessing how big the mom-to-be’s tummy is always a hit. Get everyone to write down their guess and the person with the closest answer wins a prize!   
• A diaper changing relay race: This game will keep everyone entertained. Divided into teams, each team has to change a diaper on a baby doll as fast as they can. The winning team gets a cash prize from the losing team.  
• A blindfolded Tasting of baby food: This one is a classic. Blindfolded guests must identify different baby food types by taste and smell. The person with the maximum correct answers gets a prize!   

So there you have some ideas for fun games and activities to host a memorable baby shower.   

Food and drink for a baby shower

To help you with some of the best baby shower food and drink ideas, here is a list of our top dishes and drinks that will delight everyone, especially the soon-to-be mom.   

• For starters, why not try a refreshing mocktail? A Cucumber Mint Melon Cooler can be perfect for a hot summer day.  
• The Chocolate Mousse is always a hit if you want something more indulgent.  
• No baby shower would be complete without some delicious Finger 

• Sandwiches. Our favorites include the Spicy Chicken Sandwich.   
• We recommend the Chicken Fajita Quesadillas or the Chicken Gyros with Fries for those looking for something heartier.  
• And, for dessert, you won’t go wrong with Salted Caramel Brownie Cheesecake, but the Red Velvet Cupcakes with Creamy Frosting is also trendy.  

Whatever you choose, we guarantee that the guests will be impressed!   

Thinking about gifts for the baby shower?

If you need suggestions for unique and memorable gifts, why not think outside the box and consider some playful gift ideas like the ones below?  

• For the new parents who love to travel, why not give them a personalized map of the world to track their future adventures with their baby?  
• For the food lover, how about a gourmet spice set they can use to create incredible dishes for their growing family?  
• A gift card from CookinGenie can be a unique present to the couple. A personal chef will visit their home and cook exotic dishes of their choice. 

Whatever gift you choose for the expectant mom, remember that it’s the thought that matters.  

Also Read: Wondering Which gift Really Makes The Day for mom? A Home-Cooked Meal (That She Doesn’t Have to Make Herself) 

10 Unique Baby Shower Ideas

If you are looking for some baby shower ideas, there are a lot of options out there. You can go with the traditional games and pink or blue decorations or get a little more creative. For some unique party themes, check out the list below.  

1- A “choose your own adventure” baby shower

Give guests a series of choices throughout the shower (e.g., what color should the onesie be?) and let them vote on each option. The mother-to-be will decide the winner.  

2- A coed baby shower

Why should the ladies have all the fun? Include dads and other male family members in the festivities!   

3- A BINGO baby shower.

Have guests fill out BINGO cards with baby-related things (e.g., “Has peed their pants” or “Eats cereal with a spoon”). Anyone who gets five in a row wins a prize!   

4- A diaper raffle

Ask each guest to bring a pack of diapers as their “admission fee” to the shower. Then, hold a raffle for all of the diapers! The more guests, the more prizes you can offer.   

5- A potluck baby shower

This baby shower idea is a great way to reduce costs and get everyone involved in the fun! Assign different food items to various guests and let everyone show off their culinary skills.  

6- A scavenger hunt baby shower

Hide baby items around the house or yard and have guests search for them. The first person to find all of the things wins a prize!   

7- A “baby’s firsts” baby shower

Ask guests to give something unique to help the baby with their first 

year milestones (e.g., a rattle for their first time shaking, a book for their first time reading, etc.).   

8- A themed baby shower

Choose a fun theme for the shower (e.g., Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Sesame Street) and decorate accordingly. You can ask your guests dress up in fancy costumes.   

9- A photo booth baby shower

Create a photo booth with props and let guests take turns posing for fun photos. Be sure to have a camera or smartphone on hand to snap some pictures!   

10- A digital baby shower

If you’re planning a shower for long-distance family or friends, consider hosting it online! Many excellent video chat platforms (e.g., Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom) will let you connect with people worldwide.    

In the end

If you’re planning for something different than the traditional baby shower, one (or all) of these unique baby shower ideas should get your creative juices flowing. Just be sure to avoid anything that the mom-to-be might not like. With some thought and preparation, your celebration will be fun for everyone involved.   

And, of course, no baby shower is complete without food. If you need assistance with a delicious and unique menu idea in Ohio for a baby shower or any other occasion, consider hiring a personal chef from CookinGenie. We will work with you to create the perfect menu for the guests. So don’t wait and get started planning today!