Baby Showers: Who Hosts? (2024)

FAQs

Baby Showers: Who Hosts? ›

Who should host your baby shower? Typically, as soon as you announce you are expecting, someone close to you will be thrilled to throw you a shower and extend an offer. More often than not, this is a close friend, a sister or sister-in-law, an aunt, etc. But it can be anyone close to you.

Typically, a close friend or family member will throw your shower, but coworkers or another loved one can host the party. While every baby shower is unique, the host usually takes care of organizing everything — so you can sit back and enjoy being celebrated.

Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, or co-workers of the mother-to-be hosted baby showers. Because gifts are central to showers, having a member of the honoree's (or husband's) immediate family host appeared self-serving.

Baby Shower Hosting Etiquette

Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, and coworkers of the parents-to-be have been the appropriate hosts for baby shower parties.

While parents-to-be can choose any close family members or friends to host the shower, this individual or group of people will typically be in charge of any and all planning leading up to the event and running things day-of to ease stress for the person of the hour.

Any member of the immediate family (especially the mother) should NOT host a baby shower before the baby is born. This old-school secret code is still relevant today because it appears audacious, as if the expectant mother just wants presents, which is self-serving by having her immediate family host the party for her.

Subtly mention to your mom, sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and best friends that no one has offered to throw you a shower. Sometimes people are happy to throw one for you, but they just assume that someone else has already offered. This will give them an opening to offer on their own.

When grandparents-to-be live too far away to attend the baby shower, a grandma shower can be a way for them—and other relatives—to celebrate together and gather gifts that'll be sent to the baby. Grandma showers are celebratory. A traditional baby shower is a party—and so is a grandma shower!

Can I throw my own baby shower? Yes! Hosting your own shower is totally appropriate in the new world of party etiquette.

While traditional baby showers consist of women only, co-ed baby showers are becoming more and more common. However, if you're looking to throw a traditional baby shower and still have the dad-to-be attend, this is completely acceptable and appropriate as most dad-to-be's will want to thank guests before they leave.

How many guests should be at a baby shower? ›

How Many People Should Attend a Baby Shower. Every baby shower is different, but most ladies agree that 15 to 30 is the perfect number of ladies at a typical baby shower or about 30-40 for a coed. These numbers change depending on the size of the family, number of friends, and even work colleagues involved.

Traditionally the host will pay but this will depend on many factors. This includes the venue, budget, size of the guest list, and how extravagant it may be. For instance, you can't expect your best friend to throw a huge baby shower and pay for it all herself.

With all that said, we'd recommend that a baby shower last 2-4 hours, be held on a weekday night in the rough 6-10 pm window, or even better on a weekend day in a 10 am - 2 pm or 1 pm - 5 pm type of window.

Baby shower host: Duties

The host will greet all guests personally, take their coats, indicate where presents should be deposited and offer them a beverage. This greeting process will not only please Miss Manners but will bring a warm, rosy glow to all your guests and get the party started off right.

A baby shower usually lasts 2-3 hours. Budget about 30-45 minutes at the beginning for guests to arrive, nibble on some food, and mingle with one another before the games / entertainment begin. Spend the next 30-45 minutes playing games. And the rest of the time having cake and opening gifts.

Extras and miscellaneous. Hosts should also plan a small amount of the budget for things they may need the day of the shower. Keeping $50 of the budget for last-minute dessert or extra napkins is a great way to ease your stress. With all these costs considered, the typical baby shower totals about $550 on average.

Traditionally, baby shower events are hosted by a family member or a close friend of the mother-to-be. But many parents-to-be are moving away from traditional practices, so it's perfectly fine if you want to host (or co-host) your own baby shower. Sometimes, co-workers do the honors of throwing a baby shower.

To include on the invitation: the name of the expectant mother or parents, the host's contact information and address, RSVP information, reply-by date if necessary for party planning, and, if revealed, the baby's gender. To not include: registry information.

A: Considering the gender reveal is typically held in the earlier months of pregnancy and is the first official celebration of the bun in the oven, the parents to be often host the shower. After all, they are the ones deciding to announce the gender and share in the celebration with friends and family.