We have both been very lucky to have babies during the same year and each got the opportunity to co-host showers for each other. Both events were hugely successful so we decided it warranted a whole post about throwing a great bash. Without further ado, here are our top tips for throwing a perfect baby shower for your best friend.
Ask if She Wants a Shower
It’s good to check-in and be sure she wants something — some ladies are shy and don’t want all that attention. Be sure to get a list of things she really wants and manage her expectations for what you are able to do for her.
For a second kid, a “sprinkle” would be totally appropriate so that they can get a few little things for the new family addition but it’s not as much pressure to throw a big bash.
If your best friend is the dad, consider throwing a diapers and beer party or a co-ed shindig so that mom can join too.
Send Invites Early and Include Registry Links
We all love to get together and celebrate the new baby, but let’s be honest, showers are for gifts and the new mom needs a lot of things so be sure to make the gift-giving prominent. It’s awkward for her to request things herself, but you sharing the info on her behalf is totally appropriate. As the hostess, it’s your job to make sure that all the info gets out in a timely way so that she’ll have a big guest list and a lot of gifts coming in. Let her know when you need the list by and when you’ll be sending info out so that she’s in the loop.
We love Paperless Post for free, but still nice-looking invites! Their invite builder is easy to use and there are fields for registry, location, and contact details.
Keep Her In The Loop (at least a little!)
This goes hand and hand with item number one. You don’t have to let her know exactly what’s going on but remember, she’s excited so a few details are key. Let her know where to be and when. If there is anything specific she needs to wear or bring (like a sweater if it will be cold!). Remember, if you tell her nothing, she’s totally in the dark, so even if you don’t have updates that feel like they are important, sharing a few things with her can put her at ease.
Enlist Help
We both live pretty far away from family so our showers were fairly friend-focused, but even far away family still loves to be involved and you need to remember the in-laws too. If you can’t get family help, ask a fellow friend to step in and help take some of the planning tasks. Everyone loves helping plan a party for baby! You will keep your sanity by having someone else in the loop even if it’s just someone to bounce ideas off of and share costs with.
Pick a Fun Theme
You can certainly go without a theme at all or just do blue/pink but it’s fun to think about the parents to be and get inspired. Ask them if they have a nursery theme picked out, that could be a great place to start. You can always deviate a little from what they have planned.
For example, if the nursery has a travel theme, zone in and make it a train-themed shower. Or go in a completely new direction and think about the couple and base it on that. Maybe mom and dad love to read and you can do a book-themed shower and ask all of the guests to bring children’s books with written messages in front in lieu of cards.
Customize the Food and/or Party Favors
This is a fun way to add personality to the event as well! Think about mom and dad’s favorite foods and flavors when planning the menu.
Remember that mom has some pregnancy-related food restrictions that you’ll want to keep in mind. For example, don’t put soft cheese on the salad (keep it on the side) or serve hot dogs as the main course. If you are serving alcohol for guests, maybe include a fun mocktail or cooler filled with sparkling water in addition to the bar.
Ask if She Wants Games
Guests love games, but not every mother-to-be does. Ask your lady if she wants them at all before getting too far into the planning. Be mindful of what type of games you include. Some new moms don’t mind being touched and embrace belly measurements, but others hate it.
We like word games (think baby bingo or nursery word scrambles).
You can also ask her if there’s something specific she’d like help with. Maybe she’s struggling to think of baby names and would love a game that will generate a list of suggestions!
Buy a Great Gift
It does not have to be something expensive (you are throwing her a shower after all!) but try to pick something meaningful.
Inside jokes are totally appropriate here. Buy a onesie with her favorite brand logo or items with a print in her favorite theme. We love this sriracha onesie, bunny bath towel, and lemon teething toy. If you are crafty, make her something!
You can also buy her some of the less fun things that no one else will get her but you know she’ll need. Think nipple cream, rectal thermometers, and postpartum gear.
If you are also a mother, you might even have a few ideas of favorites things you used in those first few weeks to recommend. If you aren’t, do your research, you might just find her favorite thing that she’ll swear by when it’s your turn! We’ve got a great list of unconventional registry items here 🙂
Think About Dad Too
The shower is of course not really about Dad, but a few thoughtful things for him thrown in there can go a long way.
If it’s a co-ed shower maybe just add his favorite dessert to the menu or buy a little gift for him too. We love this book and/or this shirt that promotes skin to skin!
If it’s ladies only, you really don’t have to think too much about him at your own event. But maybe suggest to one of his friends or family members that they throw him a diapers and beer party. Your bestie will love that he ends up bringing home a bunch of useful things from his bash too!
Have A Gift Tracker
Showers can be a bit of a whirlwind for new parents and keeping track of gifts with pregnancy brain is hard! Make it easy for her to send thank you notes by creating a list of gifts for her – or delegate this to someone if you are busy with other tasks. If they’ve registered online, she’ll probably end up with a thank you list generated automatically. However, many guests will buy off-registry or make something for the mom-to-be.
Be Mindful of Budget
It’s customary for the host to cover the cost of the shower. You don’t want to stress yourself out or stress the friendship by getting yourself in too deep. Be up front with the mom-to-be about what you are able to do and ask for help from other friends. There are tons of creative ways to scale back on money without sacrificing a great event!
Have you thrown a baby shower for your best friend? Tell us all about it in the comments!