However mom-to-be has made her big announcement, one thing that’s certain is that you and her inner-circle are over the moon to hear the news and eager to start planning a memorable baby shower. It’s never too early to start the planning, but the question is where do you begin? Start by exploring baby shower invitations and baby shower gifts to give to the new parents to be.
Planning a successful shower starts with staying organized and allowing yourself enough time to lay out the details. One of the first steps to planning a baby shower is to determine who will host the party. Follow the etiquette guidelines below to help you determine who should host your baby shower:
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. However, most baby showers are hosted by a close family member of the parents-to-be nowadays. It is also becoming more common for two people close to the honoree to co-host the shower. From selecting custom baby shower invitations to figuring out how to address baby shower invitations and organizing a day-of agenda, it can be reassuring to have a few extra helping hands around. Lastly, while the mom-to-be will be consulted during baby shower planning, she shouldn’t host her own baby shower.
The next time someone close to you announces her big news, you’ll know exactly where to start the planning and who should be in charge.
If you’re looking for more detailed planning information and guides to ensure a memorable baby-welcoming party, take a peek at our collection of baby shower articles. In the early stages of baby shower planning you may want to reference our guide to baby shower invitation wordingor tips for when to send baby shower invitations. Games are a must-have at any shower, take a peek at our baby shower games inspiration list complete with free printable games you can use at your own soirée. If you’re unsure what to gift the winners of the games, use our guide for baby shower game prizes.
Regardless of what baby shower theme you’ve selected, these baby shower tips, tricks and etiquette guidelines will help you plan a memorable shower for mom-to-be.
Additional Resources:
Baby Shower Gifts
Baby Shower Invitations
FAQs
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.
Who is the proper person to throw a baby shower? ›
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.
Whose responsibility is it to host a baby shower? ›
In fact, it's usually considered perfectly acceptable for a sibling, in-laws, or even the guest of honor's parents to host or co-host a baby shower. It's still unusual for a parent-to-be to host their own shower, though.
Who is in charge of hosting a baby shower? ›
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.
Who should conduct baby shower? ›
Baby showers are usually organized by a close friend, a family member, or co workers of the mother to be. It's essential that the organizer understands the preferences of the mum to be and can plan a party that aligns with her taste and style with regards to baby shower decorations and the right baby shower theme.
Who should not host a baby shower? ›
Can you throw your own baby shower? Typical baby shower etiquette dictates that the parents-to-be shouldn't throw their own party since doing so could be perceived as asking for gifts.
Who is traditionally responsible for a baby shower? ›
Tradition states that when it comes to throwing a baby shower, those who love you should do the honors. This person could be your best friend from college, a colleague from work, the next-door neighbor… or your sister, sister-in-law, mother, aunt, etc.
Who typically 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.
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.
Who do baby showers honor? ›
Traditionally, the mother-to-be is the guest of honor at the baby shower. That said, if you're hosting a couples' shower, then you should list both parents as the guests of honor.
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.
Who greets guests at a baby shower? ›
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.
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.
Who typically hosts a baby shower? ›
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.
Who is responsible for Organising a baby shower? ›
Ultimately, the host is responsible for taking care of everything, from setting the date to securing a location. All this means that the expecting parents can sit back, relax, and enjoy being celebrated. That said, if the parents-to-be wish to organise their own baby shower, then that's fine too.
Should the father be at the baby shower? ›
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.
Who is supposed to set up 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.
Who will throw me a baby shower? ›
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. You may be offered a shower by more than one person and that's great too, you can ask those people to team up together to plan the shower or you can have more than one shower.
Who traditionally 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.
What is the etiquette for baby showers? ›
Never show up to a baby shower without a gift in hand! That being said, you're not required to buy a gift from the registry. Feel free to shop around and choose any special gift for the new little one (and their mommy!).
