So you’re throwing a baby shower, but aren’t sure where to start?!
A baby brings new beginnings, a fresh dynamic, and so much joy- we believe that every detail of a baby shower should reflect that. We know that as a host, you want your friend or family member to feel special and celebrated as they await their new addition to the family. We are here to support you in creating your party’s vision with these key 4 questions to ask the expectant parent(s). Our quick guide will help to get you started and hone in on your party’s purpose, theme and goals.
Question 1: If the shower is for a couple, would you like the baby shower to honor both expectant parents?
Couple baby showers are becoming more popular and in the spirit of the more, the merrier, opening up the guest list can add to the fun! Knowing if the parents would like a combined or individual event will help you to choose the appropriate location for the shower, as well as the activities (if any) planned for the festivities.
Speaking of activities… designing your shower to be experiential can add a fresh touch to the occasion and be inclusive to everyone attending. Some ideas that get guests interacting and engaged throughout the shower include:
- Mini golf
- A floral arranging class
- Progressive shower, a take on a progressive dinner! (Ideal if a few of the willing hosts live in the same neighborhood)
Question 2: Do you want a more traditional baby shower or something unexpected?
Knowing the answer to this will help you gain clarity on the expectations of the expectant parent(s). The traditional route could include a theme that appeals to the baby’s gender, games, gift opening and typically brunch fair. But what if they want something out of the box? Consider ways to reinvent the baby shower by incorporating a specific gift theme, a gender neutral design for a modern take on the occasion, or a full bar and hearty eats.
Once you have a better understanding of the expectations, then it’s time to begin brainstorming some theme ideas! The best themes will stem from meaningful places, cultures, personal stories, or time periods that resonate with the expectant parents. Once you have put together a few possible directions, provide the parents with these options and find out their favorites. We recommend maintaining an element of surprise for the guests of honor; to achieve the perfect balance of honoring their wishes and still leaving a few tricks up your sleeve, have them narrow down the options and then the host(s) can choose the final direction from those pre-approved selections.
For traditional a theme we are loving:
- Baby in bloom with monochromatic florals, balloons made to look like large-scale flowers, build-your-own bouquet flower cart, and a fresh seasonal menu. Check out this bounce house inspiration below from Starr of Texas, who we adore and collaborate with often!
For a gender neutral theme we are swooning over:
- Bonjour bébé with white florals, lavender, greenery, charcuterie and fromage, baguette sandwiches and kir royale
Or get groovy with a non traditional theme:
Mamma Mia featuring a Grecian disco with bold blues, pops of white, disco balls, boas, funky sunglasses and rocking ABBA tunes. Book Extragrams – their high-energy performers to delight guests with a surprise musical performance! Now that’s a baby shower we’d go to any weekend.
Question 3: Is there anything you absolutely do not want, and what are your must-haves?
By asking this question, you are ensuring any elements of the expectant parent(s) day is tailored to their preferences. When planning an event, it’s just as helpful to have an understanding of what people do not want as what they do want. Having this dialogue may reveal that there is something they’ve always wanted when they envision their baby shower. How special is it to know that you get the opportunity to bring that to life?!
Some people have a hard time opening gifts in front of others. Some might want a more intimate gathering instead of large. We suggest always keeping in mind that the details of the baby shower should be based around celebrating the expectant parent in a way that makes them feel comfortable.
Question 4: Is there anything your community can do for you now to help you before the baby is born?
It might be helpful to provide some suggestions for this question. For example: start a food train sign-up at the shower! Perhaps there’s furniture that needs to be assembled? A baby shower is a great time to get organized; imagine giving the expectant parents the gift of knowing this is already covered once their new bundle arrives.
Another option would be to gift something for the parent-to-be that’s focused on wellness or a little pampering. It’s nice to keep the parent top of mind and a little “me time” is always much appreciated, pre or post baby. We love any of the robe and slipper sets from Parachute – they’re always great quality and functional for parents to be.
This final question can help you know what the expectant parents are needing now and possibly also once the baby is born. Bringing a child into this world is magical, but also very hard. Wouldn’t it be great to have a shower to showcase to the expectant parent(s) what an awesome community they have rallying around them to support their journey?
However you decide to host, we know for certain that your thoughtfulness and effort will be so appreciated by the expectant parents. As they say, it takes a village and a shower is a great way for the village to gather and celebrate welcoming new life into this big, beautiful world.
Images Courtesy of Dagnushka, Jerry Hayes Photography, and Starr of Texas