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Baby Shower Planning Checklist:

A Week-by-Week Guide

animal theme nursery

Someone you love is bringing a new life into this world. If ever there were a cause for celebration, this is it! If you’re planning a shower for a mother-to-be, our first checklist item is to pat yourself on the back. Hosting a party is a lot of work, and you deserve a big thank you. So in order to make things easy on you, we’ve created a week-by-week baby shower planning checklist.

Some things to keep in mind when planning a baby shower

plush toys and pillows on couch

Instagram: @ashleesimpsonross

Our best baby shower planning tip? Relax! You may feel pressure to make this day special for Mom, but trust us — she’s just grateful you’re hosting; so give yourself a break. Because the shower will likely be an intimate gathering, it’s okay to keep things simple and sweet. And we say skip the party favors, too. 

As far as when to host the baby shower, most mothers prefer to be showered when they’re seven or eight months along. (Later in their pregnancy, they may not be in the party mood.)

And remember, you’re planning a modern baby shower. So you don’t have to follow conventional shower etiquette if you and the mother-to-be don’t want to. Whatever you and the guest of honor want is a go, which may even mean inviting men or nixing the traditional games.

Two months before the shower

baby playing with teether toy

• Determine when and where the shower will be held. Ensure that the location you choose will fit your selected number of guests. And of course, make sure the date and time you choose is okay with the mother-to-be.

• Reserve the venue. If you are not hosting the shower at home, now is the time to select and reserve a venue.

• Set a budget. We recommend making a spreadsheet to keep track of costs.

• Make a guest list. Typically the guest list includes the mother-to-be’s close friends and family. A traditional list excludes men, but this is up to the guest of honor.

• Ensure the mother-to-be has a gift registry. The gift registry should be listed on the invitation, so attendees can arrive prepared.

• Order invitations and thank you cards. We suggest including a place to specify food allergies on the RSVP card.

• Select a theme. Consult with Mom-To-Be on this; she may want a gender theme, a neutral theme, or no theme at all.

Seven weeks before the shower

muslin baby blankets in assorted colors

• Prepare and mail invitations. If you asked for specifications about food allergies, you’ll need to receive RSVP’s before you plan the menu. So, don’t send invitations any later than seven weeks prior to the shower.

• Make a schedule. Though the party is still weeks away, making a schedule for the big day will help you stay organized and generate hosting ideas.

Six weeks before the shower

• Order anything that needs to be shipped. For anything you order online, it’s a good idea to allow six weeks for shipping time.

• Order flowers. Put in your order for floral arrangements (if you’re using them) now. Florals in delicate and pastel colors work well for celebrating a baby on the way.

Five weeks before the shower

• Plan for seating and tables. Now that you have an idea of who is attending, it’s time to plan where everyone will sit.

• Reserve the venue. If you are not hosting the shower at home, now is the time to select and reserve a venue.

• Decide on the menu. Take food allergies (if you requested to know them) into account when planning the menu. If you’re using a caterer, confirm your food selections by week five.

• Purchase party favors. If you’re using them!

• Purchase decorations. We recommend keeping them simple. Most of the focus will be on the mother-to-be, anyway.

• Plan games. If you’re going to have games, plan them now so you can purchase any supplies they require.

One month before the shower

expecting mother standing next to bassinet

Instagram: @carolinaaandes

• Purchase game supplies. If you are playing games that require supplies, purchase or order them now.

 Order the dessert. If you are purchasing a dessert from a bakery, order it at least one month prior to the shower. Remember, you don’t have to go with the traditional cake or cupcakes. Choose the mother’s favorite treat!

Three weeks before the shower

• Wrap gifts. Wrap the gifts you will be giving the mother-to-be and place them in a designated present area.  

 Plan transportation for the mother-to-be. Make sure she doesn’t have to drive herself, if she doesn’t want to.

 Plan transportation for guests. Ensure that any out-of-town guests have a plan for arriving at the party.

Two weeks before the shower

• Confirm reservations. For any service or venue you are using, now is the time to make sure everything is good to go.

• Follow up with guests who have not responded. Two weeks before the shower, it’s appropriate to give them a phone call.

• Choose hosting items. It’s a great idea to get out any servingware, etc. now, in case you realize you need to purchase something.

• Create a playlist. Now’s the time to plan music that gets the party going.

• Take care of home improvement or cleaning tasks. If you are hosting the party at your home, now is the time to tackle any (small!) home improvement tasks or deep cleaning projects you want to accomplish before guests come over.

One week before the shower

toy lamb plush rocker

• Purchase food. Clear out your refrigerator and freezer beforehand so there’s plenty of room to store it.

 Make food ahead of time. Make food that can be prepared ahead of time now, so you have less to think about on party day.

The day before the shower

• Purchase perishable food and ice. The more ice the better; keep those beverages chilled!

 Set up decorations. We recommend recruiting help for this part.

• Pick up dessert and flowers. Prune the flowers and keep them out of direct heat so they stay fresh for party day.

The day of the shower

plush lion and with matching blanket

 Cook food. If you’re cooking yourself, don’t be afraid to ask guests for help. Most people love to hang out in the kitchen.  

• Do any last minute cleaning. But don’t overdo it. Nobody will be coming through with a white glove!

• Chill beverages. Put champagne on ice, and make sure you have something non-alcoholic and bubbly for the mom-to-be.

• Have fun! You deserve it.

You can rest assured that no matter how well (or not well) the baby shower goes, the mom-to-be will look back on it fondly. After all, it’s a room full of people she loves celebrating the soon-to-be love of her life. What’s not to like! We hope you feel calm and inspired planning her special day, and have a little fun in the process. In the meantime, check out our new arrivals for her newest little arrival. And if you’re planning a gender reveal party, check out our tips here.

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