Good news travels fast and after mom-to-be announces her pregnancy, you and the rest of her inner-circle will be eager to start the planning! One of the first steps in baby shower planning is to determine a budget for the big day as well as the number of guests in attendance. Be prepared with a budget for the baby shower invitations as well as the baby shower gifts for this special occasion. Find out what budget you’re working with and if its okay to ask your guests to pitch in for the baby shower.
Follow our proper etiquette guidelines below to determine who pays for a baby shower:
Who Traditionally Pays for a Baby Shower?
The hostess traditionally pays for the baby shower and its associated costs. However, the hostess can divide up the responsibility and costs by asking a few close family members or friends to co-host. This helps to reduce the overall expense and alleviates some of the financial obligation of hosting a baby shower. Remember to be tactful when asking for money. You can also set up a private online fund for the baby shower if family and friends would like to only contribute money to the baby shower, instead of helping to host. When it comes to baby shower etiquette, never ask the mom-to-be to help pay for the baby shower.
Now that you’ve got proper etiquette for determining the finances of the shower, you can get started on the rest of your to-do’s. Between picking a baby shower theme and figuring out how to address baby shower invitations, you are sure to have your hands full.
Once all the planning is finished and the big day arrives, don’t forget to enjoy the shower and celebrate with mom-to-be. Use our guide for what to write in a baby shower card to create a personalized message without all the stress.
FAQs
Who Traditionally Pays for a Baby Shower? The hostess traditionally pays for the baby shower and its associated costs. However, the hostess can divide up the responsibility and costs by asking a few close family members or friends to co-host.
Who is expected to pay for baby shower? ›
The expenses of a baby shower should be covered by the person or group of people who are organizing the event. When you're planning a baby shower on behalf of the mom-to-be, you might already have an idea of what her taste is, and whether or not you're going for a small or big baby shower.
Who is traditionally responsible for a baby shower? ›
According to tradition, baby showers are typically hosted by a friend or distant relative (like a cousin or an aunt) instead of an immediate family member.
Should the mom pay for the baby shower? ›
The host pays for the expenses of the baby shower. That being said, co-hosting a shower with one or two others is a good way to split the costs (and the planning).
Who is responsible for the cost of a baby shower? ›
Who pays for a baby shower? Most often, the host pays for the baby shower. This is not always one person.
Do you ask people to pay for a baby shower? ›
Most people have baby showers at the home of a relative or close friend. People are also not typically expected to chip in for the cost of the party or the meal. Some people may ask for the guests to bring a pot luck dish to help with the expenses.
Can a mom throw a baby shower for her daughter? ›
HELEN'S ANSWER: It is awkward for a mother to host a baby shower for her daughter because gifts are involved. If you are an immediate family member having the party, it is like you are watching to see who gives what gift. It is much better for a close friend to have the party.
Who should not host a baby shower? ›
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.
Who not to invite to your baby shower? ›
The modern baby shower has no strict rules: You can invite whoever the family wants to be included. Just be sure to clearly state whether or not you're accommodating +1's.
How many people should I invite to 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.
Who Hosts a Baby Shower? Most baby showers should be hosted by a sister, mother, mother-in-law, or close friend. Baby showers were traditionally thrown by family members who weren't close with the parents-to-be, to avoid the assumption that close family members wanted to collect gifts for themselves.
What if no one offers to throw you a baby shower? ›
This can be tricky. If you have announced that you are having a baby and no one has offered to throw you a shower by 15-20 weeks, here are some things you can do: 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.
What is the average cost of a baby shower? ›
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.
How long should a baby shower be? ›
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.
Does the dad pay for the baby shower? ›
So at a traditional baby shower, it is often the host who will pay. However, this doesn't always settle the issue of who the host is. And of course, the host can be a wide variety of people. Usually, the mother will choose a close friend or family member.
Who pays for the gender reveal? ›
So, to be on the safe side, parents throwing a gender reveal party should bear the cost or most of it if family and friends offer to help with the expenses.
