Everything you need to know about organising a memorable celebration
A baby shower is a beautiful way to celebrate the parents-to-be before their little one's arrival and create lasting memories with family and friends. Whether you're planning your own celebration or helping a loved one bring their vision to life, there are plenty of details to consider – from choosing a venue and setting a budget to finding the perfect baby shower ideas, food, games and decorations.
As you prepare for this exciting new chapter, planning ahead can help make the experience feel more enjoyable and stress-free. From thoughtful baby shower themes to practical newborn essentials, every detail can help create a meaningful celebration for the parents-to-be.
To help make the process easier, we've created this baby shower planning guide covering everything you need to know – including when to have a baby shower, venue ideas, activities, gifts and frequently asked questions.
What is a baby shower?
A baby shower is a celebration held before a new baby arrives, where friends and family gather to support the parents-to-be and celebrate the upcoming arrival.
Traditionally, guests bring gifts to help parents prepare for their growing family, while enjoying food, drinks, games and meaningful moments together.
Although baby showers originated in the United States, they have become increasingly popular in Australia as a special way to celebrate pregnancy and mark the transition into parenthood.
For guests looking for thoughtful baby shower gifts, practical essentials such as [baby accessories], nursery pieces and everyday items can be both meaningful and useful for new parents.
When do you have a baby shower?
Most baby showers take place between four and eight weeks before the baby's due date. This allows the parents-to-be to enjoy the celebration comfortably before the final weeks of pregnancy.
However, there is no set rule for when to have a baby shower. Some families choose to celebrate earlier depending on travel plans, work commitments or personal preference, while others may prefer a smaller gathering closer to the arrival date.
The most important thing is choosing a time that allows the parents-to-be and their loved ones to relax, celebrate and enjoy the moment together.
How to plan a baby shower
Whether you're already deep in the organisation phase or searching for baby shower ideas and inspiration, this checklist covers the key steps to planning a memorable celebration.
Create your guest list
The first step when planning a baby shower is deciding who to invite. Your guest list will influence many other decisions, including your venue, budget, catering requirements and the style of celebration you want to create.
Some baby showers are intimate gatherings with close friends and family, while others bring together wider friendship groups, colleagues and extended family members.
Think about the atmosphere you'd like to create and who the parents-to-be would most like to celebrate with. A smaller gathering may allow for more meaningful conversations, while a larger event can create a lively and memorable experience.
Set your budget
Working out your budget is an important early step in planning a baby shower. Start by deciding how much you're comfortable spending overall, then break your budget down into key categories such as venue hire, food, decorations, activities and gifts.
For example, you may choose to invest more in catering or styling, while keeping costs lower with DIY decorations or a celebration hosted at home.
Remember, baby showers don't need to be expensive to be meaningful. Some of the most memorable celebrations are created through thoughtful details, personal touches and time spent together with loved ones.
Set a date and time
Once you have your guest list and budget in mind, it's time to choose a date and time for your celebration.
To give guests the best chance of attending, consider any major holidays, school holidays or family commitments that may affect availability.
Most baby showers take place between four and eight weeks before the baby's due date, allowing the parents-to-be to celebrate before the final weeks of pregnancy. However, some families choose to celebrate earlier depending on their individual circumstances.
When selecting your event time, think about the style of celebration you’d like to host. Brunches, afternoon teas and relaxed gatherings at home are popular baby shower ideas in Australia, while evening celebrations can also work beautifully.
Sending a save the date in advance can help guests keep their calendars free while you finalise the remaining details.
Choose a venue
Your venue will help shape the atmosphere of your baby shower, so it’s an important decision when planning your celebration.
There are plenty of baby shower venue ideas to choose from, including restaurants, private dining rooms, community spaces, hotel event rooms and family homes. If you're planning a larger celebration, venues that offer catering and event packages can help simplify the organisation process.
Before confirming your venue, consider accessibility, parking, location and whether the space is suitable for any games, activities or entertainment you’ve planned.
Hosting a baby shower at home can be a more budget-friendly option and offers greater flexibility when it comes to decorations, food and timings. It can also create a relaxed and personal setting for guests to enjoy.
For parents-to-be beginning their baby journey, visiting a Silver Cross Event or Baby Expo is also a wonderful opportunity to explore thoughtfully designed prams, meet the team and receive expert advice when choosing your first pram or travel system.
Plan the food and drinks
Food is often one of the highlights of any baby shower. Whether you're planning a relaxed afternoon tea, brunch gathering or a more formal celebration, your menu can be tailored to suit your style, guest list and budget.
Popular baby shower food ideas include grazing tables, brunch spreads, sweet treats, buffet-style options and personalised snacks that add a special touch to the occasion.
When planning your menu, remember to check guests’ dietary requirements and include plenty of alcohol-free drink options. Mocktails, alcohol-free sparkling drinks, fruit-infused waters and speciality teas are thoughtful choices that everyone can enjoy.
For a personal touch, consider incorporating family recipes, favourite foods or themed treats that reflect the parents-to-be.
As you prepare for your baby’s arrival, practical items like a highchair can also become exciting additions to your growing list of newborn essentials, helping create a home ready for those first precious moments together.
Choose a theme and decorations
While a theme isn't essential, it can help bring your baby shower ideas together and make planning easier.
You can keep things classic with a soft colour palette, create a seasonal celebration, draw inspiration from a favourite children's book or style the event around a more elevated aesthetic with thoughtful details.
Fresh flowers, balloons, table settings, personalised signage and beautiful styling elements can help create a memorable atmosphere for the parents-to-be and their guests.
For a more personal touch, consider incorporating baby scan photos, family photographs or a memory display celebrating the journey to parenthood so far. These thoughtful details can make the celebration feel unique and create meaningful talking points throughout the day.
If you’re searching for inspiration, creating a mood board on Pinterest can be a great way to explore baby shower themes, colour palettes and decoration ideas before bringing your vision to life.
Send your invitations
Once the key details are confirmed, it’s time to invite your guests.
Sending invitations around four to six weeks before the event will give your guests plenty of notice and allow them to plan ahead.
Digital invitations are a convenient and budget-friendly option, while printed invitations can add a more personal touch. Be sure to include important details such as the date, location, timings, RSVP information and any gift registry details if applicable.
A thoughtful invitation can help set the tone for your baby shower and give guests an idea of what to expect from the celebration.
Organise games and activities
Baby shower games and activities are a great way to bring guests together and create lasting memories for the parents-to-be.
While traditional baby shower games remain popular, many hosts are now choosing more personal activities that double as keepsakes.
Popular baby shower activity ideas include:
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Baby prediction cards, where guests guess baby's arrival date, weight and eye colour
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Advice cards, allowing friends and family to share words of wisdom with the parents-to-be
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Memory books, filled with messages and well wishes to look back on in years to come
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Guess the baby photo, where guests match childhood photos to attendees
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Baby shower bingo, which can be played while gifts are being opened
When planning activities, try not to overfill the schedule. Leaving plenty of time for guests to chat, enjoy food and celebrate together will help create a more relaxed and meaningful atmosphere.
Frequently asked questions
What usually happens at a baby shower?
Most baby showers include food, drinks, games, gifts and time for guests to celebrate the parents-to-be.
Some celebrations are relaxed gatherings at home with afternoon tea and conversation, while others include organised activities, styling and entertainment. The most important part is creating a meaningful experience that allows loved ones to come together and celebrate this exciting new chapter.
Who organises a baby shower?
Traditionally, baby showers are organised by a close friend, sibling or family member. However, there are no strict rules, and many parents-to-be now choose to host their own celebrations.
The most important thing is creating a day that reflects the parents-to-be and gives loved ones the opportunity to celebrate together.
Who normally pays for a baby shower in Australia?
There are no set rules when it comes to covering the costs of a baby shower in Australia. In many cases, the host pays for the event, although friends and family may also offer to contribute towards the venue, decorations, food or activities.
If you're working with a smaller budget, hosting at home and choosing homemade food, DIY decorations or simple party favours can help create a beautiful celebration without overspending.
Is three months too early for a baby shower?
Not necessarily. While many baby showers take place four to eight weeks before the due date, some families choose to celebrate earlier depending on travel plans, work commitments or personal preference.
Planning earlier can also give parents-to-be more time to prepare for their baby's arrival, including choosing important newborn essentials such as a pram or travel system and other items for their growing family.
What do you take to a baby shower?
Guests often bring gifts for the parents-to-be or baby, alongside a card with a personal message.
While gifts for baby are common, it can also be thoughtful to include something special for the mum-to-be, such as a pamper gift, candle or relaxing self-care item before the arrival of their little one.
Whatever you choose, a heartfelt card with a personal message is often just as meaningful as the gift itself.
Do you need to provide party favours at a baby shower?
Party favours are a lovely way to thank guests for celebrating with you, but they are by no means essential.
Simple treats such as personalised biscuits, mini candles, seed packets or tea sachets can make thoughtful keepsakes without adding too much to your budget.
The best baby shower favours are often those that feel personal and reflect the style of the celebration, whether that’s a small handmade gift or a simple token of appreciation.
Preparing for your baby’s arrival
A baby shower is a beautiful milestone that brings together the people who will support you throughout your parenting journey.
From planning the perfect celebration to choosing the essentials you’ll need once your baby arrives, every step is part of the excitement of preparing for your growing family.
Explore Silver Cross’ range of prams and travel systems, nursery essentials and highchairs, thoughtfully designed to support families from those first days and beyond.
